The benefits of Bicycling? Let us count the ways.

The bicycle is one of those tools that knows no limit. Powered by human energy, inherently non-polluting, incredibly efficient, the bicycle is divinely gifted to humanity. Infinitely scalable the bicycle is a tool that can be used to travel 1/2 a mile to school or around the world.

“A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke.” – Scott Stoll

Bicycles influence positive change at many levels from personal to the community to the world. Whether you are riding to the market or riding to the edge of a continent, the bicycle is a noble tool for your journey.

Individual cyclists report improved mental health, feeling more calm and operating in better spirits. Cycling also leads to weight loss, greater heart health and cardio benefits. Some people’s social lives are based on cycling, and economic outcomes are routinely improved due to limited costs of cycling as compared to other transportation modes.

Communities that encourage cycling report numerous benefits. From invigorated business activity around cycling corridors, to a healthier citizenry and less congested streets, the bicycle represents myriad positive influences. Additionally, cyclists are more likely to ride when they feel safe on the road and more cyclists on the road, generally, makes the roads safer for all users.

Lastly, our planet is desperate for the proliferation of non-polluting transportation. Clearly our floating marble in the sky is in trouble with the proliferation of climate related disasters and impacts from a warmer world. It is clear that not every trip can be replaced by a bicycle, but we believe that every motor vehicle trip replaced by a bicycle trip is a positive one and one worth celebrating.

Stay tuned to this site as we unpack to benefits of cycling.

Our first consulting gig – clean, listen, lube and air!

Last night we spent a couple hours on zoom talking with some accomplished long-distance tourers looking to expand their mechanical competence. By initial accounts it went very well.

We covered a host of topics, one of which that will be repeated here often, “clean your bike”. Cleaning your bicycle is probably the best preventative maintenance you can do. It’s an opportunity to build a relationship with your bike over time so when something changes, hopefully it will catch your eye.

Next, listen. Listen to your bicycle, it will tell you how it’s doing. A lubed chain doesn’t squeak and properly functioning brakes don’t make noise. Creaks, clicks, snaps, whirrrs, clunks, screeches, squeals, rattles, (and many more, really) can indicate a problem. Trace the sound to its origin and when it occurs, this will help in troubleshooting.

Finally, two thoughts to end on, two things that make the difference between fun and torture while riding your bicycle–lube and air. Find a lube that works for your riding conditions and apply as needed, always cleaning your chain when you lube. And air. Air up your tires at regular intervals and prevent a whole host of potential problems while simultaneously making your ride more efficient.

So that’s the big philosophical view of bike repair. Get to know your bike by cleaning, listening, and lubing chain/airing up tires. What bicycle repair/maintenance tips do you want to know about? Comment below!

The journey continues here

Welcome to the online home of LWD-BB INC., a company dedicated to making bicycling a better experience for all. We accomplish this goal by supporting inclusive bicycle culture, designing products that make rides more enjoyable, and rewarding those that choose to ride.

Stay tuned here for updates and news as the journey unfolds.

A living manifesto is at our core

The views represented on this site are founded on the following. They are not perfect and not above edits or revisions as seen fit by the stakeholders of the company. It is assumed that this manifesto will act to represent the baseline of our work and we are encouraged to always do and be better.

Bicycles are a net positive tool for society and planet helping accomplish practical tasks including but not limited to recreation, transportation, hauling, meditation, mental health, physical health, rehabilitation, community building, skill building, and tourism. Read more about how bicycles create a better world.

The health benefits of bicycle riding for human beings is a central pillar of the creation of LWD-BB. There are nearly limitless positive impacts on the body to those that choose to ride. Read more about the health benefits of riding.

The earth is in crisis. Climate change/global heating is affecting people around the world and we, as a society will continue to face severe weather events. The atmosphere has its highest concentration of CO2 is hundreds of thousands of years, a change driven by the industrial revolution of the west. Our work is underscored by the fact that bicycle trips are inherently less polluting and more energy efficient than other forms of transportation.

The climate costs associated with new product manufacturing means we always strive to reduce what we consume, reuse what do have, and recycle (or upcycle!) once it’s designed purpose is no longer viable. Extended to new products, we they should be built environmentally responsibly but also built to last and built to be serviceable. Read more about our sustainability philosophy.

LWD-BB believes in equity and diversity. The organization is structured to create pathways to equity and inclusion for all people, specifically people that have not fit into the “target demographic” of a given segment with the bicycle market. We seek to remove barriers to ridership that exist for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ members of our society. It is engrained in our company culture that lifting up these communities is integral to our work. This work does not create a threat to white and cis normative members of our society. Read more about LWD-BB’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The bicycle has always co-existed with its motorized cousins yet always been a unique classification. Bicycles are solely human powered and thus have unique engineering and design requirements that separate them from machines utilizing motors. Modern e-bikes are not so different from motorized cycles of generations past. While motorized machines are wonderful tools, LWD-BB exists primarily to lift up the experiences and stories of those that choose to power their own rides. Read more about LWD-BB’s take on e-bikes here.

Why buy a second hand bike?

Let us count the reasons why!!

1. Second-hand products, bikes included, have already paid their production/shipping/extraction environmental impact. Their “carbon footprint” has already been released. So buying a bicycle that already exists and rehabilitating it to fit your needs is taking an already extremely low-impact transport mode and making it even better. So buy used when you can, for all sorts of things, but especially bicycles.

2. There are so many great deals to be had. There’s no comparison when comes to cost, a used bicycle can’t be beat. It’s such an amazing deal that you can hire a bicycle guide, get a perfect bike for your needs, and be riding in style typically for less than what you might spend on a new bike.

3. Buy a used bike because bicycle guides are here for you. It can be overwhelming scrolling the pages of ads online, but a bicycle guide will help figure out what type of bike suits your needs, identify posts that could fit for you, help assess the bicycle’s condition and make sure you get a good deal.

4. Buy a nicer bike than you could new. That’s right, your budget stretches far beyond what’s possible with new bikes. We know that piece of mind is important in making big purchases and that’s why we offer our bicycle guide service to help make sure you are getting the best bang for your bike buck.

5. One of a kind bike? Each and every one. Every bicycle has a story and some have many, many stories. Each trip, each fall, each scratch is a story that makes your second hand bicycle unique. These are badges of honor! And while safety is always first and unsafe bicycles and parts should be scrapped, bicycles that come with a story are bicycles just waiting to create some more.

6. Stay under the radar. In our minds eye the perfect bike probably has some bling to it, but sometimes the perfect bike slides under the radar and out of the gaze of would be thieves. Your second-hand bicycle is absolutely the best option for city/bar/commuter type bikes. And while you certainly can take a lower profile it’s impossible to avoid theft altogether. It will be much less expensive to replace in that unfortunate scenario.

Become a guide

Become a mentor

Do you share our passion and drive to help others discover the joys of riding a bicycle? We need you. To put some emphasis on it, the world needs you.

Bicycling makes the world a better place, your experience and willingness to help others makes an active and tangible difference in the world. One more smiling child with the training wheels off. One more relieved parent able to make ends meet after ditching the car payment. One more grateful bakery selling coffee and pastries to the cyclists that ride by.

You are the catalyst in these connections. LWD-BB provides the platform and handles the backend of the connection. You bring the knowledge, the passion, the commitment to making the planet a better place to live.

Mentor services:

The Machine
- Buying – new, second hand
- Fitting – general, specific
- Repair/maintenance
- Learn DIY Repair/maintenance

Journeys
- Trip planning – tours, commutes, urban, social, charity, scenic, recreational, group
- Riding Skills – different styles. 1-1, group lessons, kids
- Navigation tactics – maps, terrain, features
- Training/preparation – nutrition, schedule, gear, systems

Leadership
- Speaking – panels, training, events
- Special events – Kids programs, parties, fundraisers
- Advocacy – non profit, respectful riders

Unique Requests
- Mentors strive to support better bicycling, let’s overcome any challenge together