BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

On May 17th the US Ride of Silence will be joined by slow rides around the world "in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways."

"Wave goodbye to wobbly fumbling to keep your balance on a bike as you try to change tunes on the iPod nano that's in your pocket or on an armband," argues a press release for the iBikeMount iPod nano holder. Further down the press release it says cyclists who listen to iPods as they pedal will be safer with the IBikeMount but that "cyclists should always remember to stay aware of their surroundings at all times." Perhaps by not listening to an iPod while on the move?

Cargonews Asia reports that a massive fire on board a container ship en route from Singapore to Rotterdam may have been caused by an explosion of fireworks in a container. Other experts say the cause was more likely to have been piracy. The MV Hyundai Fortune was carrying Chinese-made goods, everything from MP3 players to bicycles. It was towed to Salalah, Oman. 1000+ of the ship's 5000 containers were damaged and 2500 were lost overboard in what experts say could be the "biggest marine insurance claim ever."

Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the Taiwan government-funded trade promotion organisation, is launching a “chain store firms buying Taiwan” project this year. The organisation has wined and dined an 'international sourcing executive' from Tesco and is soon to schmooze with Halfords, too.

Jointly owned by the Bicycle Association and Motor Cycle Industry Association, Starley House is to be sold to a property developer and will be demolished to make way for a retail development. The offer of £2.55m has been accepted, with the BAGB to receive £880,000. This is a "remarkable opportunity for a revitalisation of the association for today’s world," said the BAGB president.