Aussies hope free Wi-Fi on their beaches will lead to fewer drownings
Aussie lifeguards have hit on an idea to use Wi-Fi to make the beaches safer. How? By creating free Wi-Fi zones within the safety flags to encourage swimmers to stay within designated areas where they can be monitored by lifeguards. The Wi-Fi setup also sends out safety alerts in multiple languages.
Lime clocks 20 million rides as its bikes and scooters arrive in Oz
Lime only launched its app-based scooter and bikesharing service at the start of 2017 but its riders have already completed 20 million rides, with half of them taking place in the last two months. Now the California-based company is launching in Australia as part of its ongoing international expansion.
These bike lights use the magic of magnetism to generate power
Magnetic Microlights are a new product introduced on Kickstarter that are a designed for cyclists and urban commuters who are looking for a wireless, battery free option for generating light while riding their bikes. Using magnets to create power, the system delivers a bright, steady light that is eco-friendly and safe.
Lime splashes $3 million on a campaign to encourage safer electric scooter rides
Keen to boost its image and keep local communities onside, scootersharing outfit Lime is spending $3 million on a campaign to teach its users how to ride more safely and responsibly. If you sign up to its pledge online, you could bag yourself a free helmet for your future scooter rides!
Biolite’s head engineer explains the wizardry behind its smokeless fire pit
BioLite's new FirePit uses an innovative design and integrated fan to remove all of the smoke from a backyard bonfire. FirePit incorporates these newly developed design elements in a way that is meant to drastically improve the humble campfire. The crowdfunded product is available now for $199.
GM is getting into ebikes, and it wants you to help name them
General Motors has just unveiled its first-ever electric bikes as part of its efforts to broaden its business and pivot to an all-electric future. To find the best name for the two new ebikes, the automaker has launched a $10,000 public contest. Tip: It's probably not worth suggesting "Bikey McBikeface."
Snowfeet combine skiing and skating into one awesome new sport
Successfully crowdfunded on Indiegogo, Snowfeet promise to be the next revolution in snow sports by combining skating and skiing into one high-energy activity. Resembling a set of bulked-up sandals, Snowfeet fit over your existing footwear or snowboard boots. They should being shipping in February.
This low-maintenance ebike makes it easy to get into urban commuting
Priority Bicycles has introduced a new ebike model called the Priority Embark that is designed from the ground up to be low-maintenance, making it easier than ever for riders to join the urban commuting revolution. The bike's components were chosen because they are reliable, easy to fix, and durable, limiting breakdowns and repairs.
This smart helmet from Swagtron keeps skiers and snowboarders safer
The new Swagtron Snowtide marks the company's entry into the protective gear market, with a helmet built for skiers and snowboarders. The Snowtide features built-in Bluetooth audio, push-to-talk group conversations, metric tracking such as distance, speed, and vertical slope, and emergency SOS alerts.
Keep your noggin protected in style with this 3D-printed bike helmet
Kupol is the revolutionary new bike helmet that promises to provide a higher level of protection by using 3D printing to improve its design. The helmet reportedly is not only safer than traditional bike helmets, but is more comfortable to wear and provides better ventilation too, all while remaining lightweight.
The Wau stands out in the crowded ebike market with its 60-mile range
Launched and funded on Indiegogo, the Wau ebike's high-tech features help it to stand out from the competition, including built-in lights on the front and back, a color LCD touchscreen, and GPS tracking. It also has a range of as much as 60 miles and a pedal-assist speed of 15-20 mph depending on the model.
Garmin’s new Instinct GPS watch is built for the sportsman in all of us
Garmin is targeting the outdoorsman with its new Instinct sports watch. The rugged multisport watch is built to military specs with a crisp, sunlight-readable display. The GPS watch has everything you need for outdoors endeavors no matter how far you travel off the beaten path.
These zip-on bike tires change up your tread to match the terrain
Retyre is a new concept for bike owners that gives them the ability to zip on new tires to match the terrain they'll be riding on. The tires can be added in under 60 seconds, providing more grip for off-road or winter riding on a bike that isn't traditionally outfitted for those conditions, all without having to remove the existing tires.
Bird will deliver one of its electric scooters straight to your door
With so many scooter-share services out there today, Bird thinks it may have found a way to stay ahead of the pack. Bird Delivery, which launches in select locations soon, lets riders request delivery of one of its electric scooters to their home or office for all-day use.
Uber’s first electric-scooter service takes on Lyft in Santa Monica
Though still arch-rivals in the ridesharing space, Uber and Lyft are expanding their respective services to other modes of transport. Besides bike-sharing schemes, both companies are also getting into scooters, with Uber launching its first such service this week in Santa Monica, California.
Commuter, adventurer, or kids’ chauffeur, Riese & Müller has an ebike for you
German ebike manufacturer Riese & Müller has unveiled three new additions to its catalog, including a cargo bike called the Load 75 that has room for an adult and up to three kids. The bike is said to offer 50 percent more cargo space than previous versions while remaining quick and agile out on the road.
Stay warm and cosy in the backcountry with the Kammock Bobcat quilt
Kammock's Bobcat camping quilt is designed for use on the trail or while traveling, keeping users warm and cozy no matter where they wander. The Bobcat packs down to a small size, yet can be used as a top or underquilt by hammock campers, a sleeping bag for traditional campers, or as a blanket for travelers.
Yamaha’s new electric gravel bike is ready for rough terrain rides
Yamaha Power Assisted bikes has combined two of the hottest trends in cycling by creating the Wabash, an electric gravel bike designed for adventure. The ebike features an electric drive system and battery pack, and joins Yamaha's existing lineup of power-assisted bikes, with pricing and availability yet to be announced.
This bike helmet looks like a baseball cap, is the size of a water bottle
The Park & Diamond Bike Helmet solves the challenges that most cycling helmets have by looking like a baseball cap, but also collapses down to the size of a large water bottle. The helmet is comfortable a while offering a high level of protection from impact, and it is still easy to carry anywhere a rider goes.
Inspired by origami, Oru’s newest foldable kayak is built for you and a friend
The Haven tandem kayak from Oru Kayaks is the company's first two-person model. The boat uses Oru's origami-inspired design to fold down small enough to be stored in a box that fits in a closet or trunk of a car. The kayak measures 16-feet in length and has a 500 pound capacity.
BioLite’s HeadLamp gives off tons of light, weighs in at just 3 ounces
The BioLite Headlamp brings plenty of light to campsites while staying slim and lightweight. The new lamp tips the scales at just 2.4 ounces while offering 330 lumens of brightness and an innovative headband that is breathable and comfortable. The company has launched a Kickstarter campaign.
ZenBivy’s new hybrid sleeping bag makes mummy bags look downright primitive
The new ZenBivy Light Bed takes everything that we liked about the original model and improves on it. The new sleep system is lighter, warmer, and more versatile, weighing in at 29 ounces and offering a temperature rating of 23-degrees Fahrenheit, it is a worthy replacement for the traditional sleeping bag.
Take your workout up a notch with two new fitness watches from Polar
Polar introduced two new fitness watches to help athletes up their workout game. The Polar Vantage V is made for elite athletes looking for the best performance possible, while the Vantage M is designed for the more budget-conscious athlete who still needs detailed metrics tracking.
Lyft’s first app-based scooter service rolls into Denver
If you thought there were enough electric scooters in your city, watch out — Lyft has joined the club. It launched its first scootershare service in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, September 6, with more cities coming soon. It's part of Lyft's goal to persuade a million people to give up their cars by 2020.
Yamaha brings Power Assist ebikes to the U.S. for the first time
Yamaha has announced that its line of four Power Assist ebikes are available in North American cycling shops. This marks the first time Yamaha's electric bicycles have gone on sale in the U.S., as the firm works to build out its partnerships with retailers in an effort to deliver the four models to consumers.
App-based bikesharing takes a hit after Mobike suffers at the hands of vandals
Mobike, the largest app-based bikesharing firm in the world, has quit the English city of Manchester citing vandalism and theft. China-based Mobike arrived there in 2017, using it as the launchpad of its European operation. But now it says the losses to its fleet are unsustainable.
PurTrek has a trekking pole that will help keep you hydrated on the trail
Hikers looking to lighten their load on the trail can now get another piece of gear that combines two essential items into one. The new PurTrek trekking poles not only help hikers to maintain their balance on the trail, they also provide clean drinking water thanks to a built-in filtration system.
You can now stream the sounds of national parks wherever you happen to be
Fed up with the sounds of city? Looking for some soothing sounds you can relax to on the morning commute? Then how about this calming 12-minute audio stream of recordings made at many of America's glorious parks, released in celebration of the National Park Service's 102nd birthday.
This inflatable stand-up paddleboard can go anywhere with you
Red Paddle Co. created a stand-up paddleboard that is designed to go with you anywhere. The inflatable Compact 9'6" model is a full-sized SUP that has been built to fold down to a size that is half that of a standard inflatable model, while also managing to slide into a backpack that makes it easy to carry.
The colorful Bosch Kiox ushers in the next generation of ebike computers
The new Kiox bike computer from Bosch is the next generation model for use with ebikes, bringing a full-color screen, rugged Gorilla Glass protection, and Bluetooth connectivity for use with heart rate monitors and other fitness devices. The unit is compact, lightweight, and uses a magnetic holder.
AllTrails’ Lifeline feature will keep you safe in the backcountry
AllTrails, a website and mobile app that offers members access to data on more than 50,000 trails across the U.S. and Canada, has launched a new feature called Lifeline that gives users the ability to share route and travel plans with friends and family, while also providing live tracking of their progress for others.
Photo op: This interactive foliage map will help you plan your fall adventures
If the summer heat has been causing you to sweat more than you'd really like to, then the good news is that fall is just around the corner. If you're planning to get out and about, then this cool interactive foliage map can help you enjoy the fall colors at their very best.
31 plastic bottles and some algae is practically all this backpack is made from
Mobius is a multi-unctional backpack with a sustainable twist: Not only is it made almost entirely out of upcycled materials, but its creators will also plant 10 trees for every unit that’s sold. Now you can look stylish and feel good about saving the planet at the same time.
The wheels are coming off this British city’s bikesharing scheme
Bike-sharing giant Mobike is close to pulling its scheme from the English city of Manchester as an increasing number of its two-wheelers are being wrecked, stolen, or thrown into waterways. The service has been running there for a year, but in July alone, 10 percent of its bikes were destroyed or stolen.