The latest gizmo to cross over from cars to bicycles is an automated wash designed to be installed in bike shops or hotels that regularly welcome cyclists.
The QBike looks high-tech, but it does not quite match the features of a fully- automated car wash, forgoing steam cleaning and air jets in favour of water nozzles and drying off by hand.
How often do you wash your bike?
Unless you ride your bike off-road and it regularly gets caked in mud, you can get away with washing it very infrequently. In fact, there is a school of thought that says as long as you occasionally spray the chain with oil to keep squeaks at bay, a bicycle that is shown this kind of benign neglect will last longer because a well-used, dirty bike is less attractive to thieves.
Automated multi-storey underground bicycle parking
Space is at such a premium in Japanese cities that cyclists are regularly fined the equivalent of £35 for illegal parking. Spiritual home of cycling in Europe, Amsterdam, might have its own huge multi-storey parking facility dedicated to bicycles, but Tokyo has increased its cycle parking capacity with an altogether more graceful and high-tech solution; bicycles are taken by lift automatically and parked safely and and securely underground.
Automated bicycle repairs
Cyclists in Minneapolis who need to fix a puncture or make other repairs out of hours now have access to a self-service vending machine that is open 365 days a year.
Bike Fixtation offers self-service kiosks on an extended-hours basis allowing cyclists to buy an inner tube or patch kit, pump up tyres for free, and make simple adjustments using the supplied tools. The vending machine also sells lights, snacks, drinks and sunscreen.
Did you know that a good cycle insurance policy will pay for your pride and joy to be repaired if you damage it accidentally? Cycle insurance from the ETA is very much like the fully-comp insurance motorists can buy for their car. Every policy includes new-for-old replacement in the case of theft, and covers against accidental damage and vandalism.
Also included as standard is £5m third party cover, European and Worldwide cover and a special breakdown recovery service for your bike and you.
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