BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

Students from nine US universities have been challenged to produce a 'commercially-viable human-hydraulic powered bicycle' before August 2005. The challenge is being sponsored by Parker Hannifin, a manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems for industrial and aerospace uses. The winning students will earn $2000 scholarships.

Porvair International Ltd, owners of SealSkinz waterproof socks and gloves, grew sales by 36 percent year on year. This had been the first year of trading as a private company.

For the past six years, the International Mountain Bicycling Association has been publishing an annual Report Card, grading MTB trail provision in US states and countries such as England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, Israel and Australia. Scotland won IMBA's 'People's Choice' award for MTB route excellence.

US newspapers are reporting that some US hospitals are asking patients to remove the world-famous yellow bands because they can be mistaken for medical wristbands that tell medics 'not to resuscitate'.

'Take a Stand: How to set up a community cycling project', produced by Life Cycle UK, explains how to set up, fund, administer and monitor a community cycle parking scheme. Using the guide, small businesses, voluntary sector groups, shops, surgeries, schools and other community-focussed organisations are guided through the process of applying for two free Sheffield-type cycle parking stands.