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9 Stunning Spots for Natural Ice Skating Around the World

Greta Jonyniate | 01.02.12

Ice skating is an exhilarating, relatively inexpensive activity that provides an excellent source of exercise and entertainment for the entire family. If you are already an avid ice skater, then you're probably no stranger to skating on natural ice, and if you're are a relative beginner, well there's no better time to start! Take a look at Treehugger's round up of the 9 best spots for authentic ice skating, just like your grandparents used to!

Imagine the sun on your face, the crisp air all around you, and the smell of fresh ice -- and now imagine gliding along on skates without being forced to go around and around in a tiny oval rink. Instead, you can experience the great outdoors on one of these naturally frozen skating spots: Just you, the ice, and your skates.

The spots we've chosen here let you skate from the middle of cities to secluded rural spaces -- and even in your own backyard. These are professionally maintained, and while you may find a frozen lake, pond, or river in your local park, you should always check with officials and take proper safety precautions before setting out.

UK-based Nature Travels sets up environmentally responsible tours of Sweden in summer and winter -- and if you choose the colder months of the year, you could book this four-day, three-night tour of natural ice skating in Östergötland and Södermanland.

Professional guides make sure you're on the strongest ice at all times, and customize the distances for your activity level; the company hints that you might also get the chance to go out at night for a "moonlight skating tour beneath the stars."

The Rideau Canal runs through the center of downtown Ottawa, and, in winter, the running water solidifies into the world's largest ice skating rink -- the Rideau Canal Skateway.

At 7.8 km long, the Skateway offers a scenic view of landmarks from city buildings to peaceful lakes, and is home to Winterlude, an annual festival of arts, sporting events, and food tastings.

The Rideau Canal may be the world's largest natural rink, but the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail recently claimed the Guinness World record for longest at a maximum length of 8.5 km.

Along with skating, the trail makes room for plenty of other winter sports, from curling and hockey to broomball and walking.

Colorado is better known for its skiing than its skating, but the 5-acre Keystone Lake gives visitors who aren't so comfortable on the slopes a less-steep sporting option.

To keep reading, please gothe Treehugger website or Click HERE

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Top 10… natural ways to detox

Greta Jonyniate | 25.01.12

Body detox - the key to health and beauty. Chemicals are all around us in the air we breathe, our food, drinking water, beauty products, etc. The safest place for excess toxins to overflow is through the skin because this is the furthest away from vital organs. Here are ten brilliant ways how to detox naturally from the Ecologist.

Congratulations. You’re almost through the most depressing month of the year. January is the apogee of awfulness, a month when a combination of Christmas debt, miserable weather and the prospect of having to get your tax returns sorted hits hardest. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s the weighty matter of all the extra pounds picked up over the festive period. But you’ve made it this far, so if you haven’t gotten your resolutions sorted yet or just fancy giving your health a seasonal boost, piggy back on your January survival success and help your body out with a little detox.

That doesn’t, however, mean having to shell out bucket loads of cash on supplements or follow a horribly restrictive regime. Indeed as Helen Gardiner, a medical herbalist at London’s Hale Clinic says, our bodies are in a constant state of detoxification. ‘Detoxification is the process whereby metabolic by-products, nonsense food such as preservatives and additives, recreational drugs and alcohol, free radicals, pharmaceutical drugs and environmental poisons and pollution are neutralised and excreted,’ she explains. A brisk walk or a bike ride are both good ways of using the great outdoors to shed weight and keeping tabs on a balanced diet with well-controlled portion sizes is key. But that’s not all you can do, so here’s our top 10 ways to rid your body of toxins naturally.

Excercise your whole body

David Petersen, Health and Fitness Manager at London’s Fitness First Baker Street says that exercises which work muscles across the body, such as spin classes on exercise bikes and boxercise, are great calorie-burners. As a useful rule of thumb, ‘the more muscles you get to work, the bigger the benefit.’ Boxercise involves working the upper- and lower-body muscles and torso, and many classes also include cardio exercises taken from boxing training, such as lunges and squats. David explains that it’s a good alternative to yoga for those who need a more fast-paced way to relax. ‘Some people are very good at using yoga to lose tension. Other people will go into that class and their minds are still running ten to the dozen - it can be a distraction. So for people like that, boxercise can have a calming effect; it’s really satisfying.’

For more information, go to: www.fitnessfirst.co.uk

Heat up your yoga class

Developed by yoga guru Bikram Choudhury from traditional hatha yoga, Bikram Yoga involves 26 sequenced postures and two breathing exercises and is practised in a room heated to almost 38 degrees celsius. Olga Allon, who runs the Hot Bikram Yoga Studios in London, explains: ‘The idea is that you’re recreating the hot, humid climate where yoga originated, which allows you to stretch in a more comfortable, safer way.’ Due to the heat, you’re advised to drink at least 1.5 litres of water per session, which means that ‘you’re cleaning out your system and sweating out toxins’. The benefits last beyond the class, too - as Olga says. ‘You come out of even one class feeling incredibly cleansed, and the last thing you want to do is put a load of unhealthy food inside you.’

For more information, go to: www.hotbikramyoga.co.uk

Add skin brushing to your routine

Key to helping your body rid itself of any toxins is making sure it’s in the best shape to do so. ‘Think about all the systems of elimination,’ explains Helen Gardiner. ‘The skin is one of these – it’s the largest organ in the body. Using loofahs and scrubbing the body, or brushing upwards towards the heart before showering stimulates the skin and the lymph system, and this assists elimination prior to strong detoxification.’

For more information, go to: www.highlandsoaps.com

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6 Winter Home Improvement Tips That Will Save Energy and Lower Your Bills

Greta Jonyniate | 20.01.12

We love this article from inhabitat, which shows that with a few small changes, we can stay warmer, save more money and reduce our energy consumption in our homes!

It probably doesn't come as a surprise, an uncomfortable home also comes at a high monetary cost. If winter has sent a deep chill throughout your house, you've also probably received an equally bone-chilling heating bill from your utility company. But you don't have to huddle up the family under the blanket just yet - we have a few suggestions that will help make this winter much more comfortable, and maybe even less expensive. We've rounded up some handy tips on how you can easily save energy on heating, and lower your electricity and gas bills to boot. So whether you're a renter or homeowner, check out our top 6 nifty and low cost ideas that will get you saving real bucks over the winter season.

TIP 1: Upgrade or tune-up your heating system

The first plan of action is to actually have a plan. 30% of a average home’s energy cost is for heating and sometimes a lot more if you heat with electricity, gas, or oil. A furnace or boiler tune-up is a good place to start. Changing the air filter and diagnosing for problems that lead to inefficiencies or even carbon-monoxide poisoning is a top priority.

TIP 2: Get an energy audit

Don’t think that getting a new heating plant will solve your comfort and efficiency problems. Heat can escape a home in hundreds of different ways, so it’s worth investigating how your home’s shell is performing, as well as the condition of your ductwork. A BPI certified home energy audit (or assessment) provides the critical information needed to get the biggest bang for your buck, and usually finds important things you may never even have noticed. Contact your utility company to see if they offer a discounted audit and weatherization. After, follow up those recommendations with a quality, professional energy retrofit.

TIP 3: Button up your windows

If you don’t have the money, or are a renter, don’t despair. While new windows and a furnace would be great, what you have now may need only just a little help to save cash and improve comfort. Even new windows are often just marginally more efficient than old ones (compared to your wall’s r-value for instance), but a good set of insulating blinds can double or triple a window’s efficiency.

Reflective bubble wrap foil also works well for a window cover and dramatically reduces radiant energy losses that can make even a warm room feel cold to bare skin. And don’t neglect caulking around the frame if you feel a draft coming through. In a pinch plastic film will get you through the season, and storm windows are often a good compromise.

To read more, go to inhabitat's website, or click HERE

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Trash to Fashion: 13 Chic & Crazy Upcycled Collections

Greta Jonyniate | 10.01.12

We truly love this article from webecoist, which showcases some superb upcycled fashion designs. These garments have been made out of discarded clothes, recycled plastic and paper, woodchips, festival tents, paraglider sails and parachute nets. Our favourite is Christopher Raeburn’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection featuring salvaged military materials. Which is yours?

Trash to Fashion: 13 Chic & Crazy Upcycled Collections

Rescuing discarded materials like parachutes, military blankets, shower curtains, wood chips and festival tents from the dumpster, eco-minded designers create couture that ranges from the cute and totally wearable to the artistic and avant-garde. Whether it’s ready for the rack or meant for the runway only, these 13 collections of upcycled fashion definitely make surprising and innovative use of items others see only as trash.

Recycled Packaging by Karishma Shahani

(images via: arts.ac.uk)

Designer Karishma Shahani distills the colorful essence of her home country of India into a stunning collection of upcycled fashion. “Yatra” includes recycled plastic packaging mixed with natural fabrics like cotton, silk, linen and muslin that were dip-dyed using plants from a local market.

Dresses from Paraglider Sails by Valerie Pache

(images via: valeriepache.fr)

New life is breathed into old, retired paraglider sails by Valerie Pache, a French designer who creates colorful and quirky upcycled garments. Pache takes this material – which she gets for free – and crafts it into dresses, jackets, accessories and even wedding gowns. “People are very surprised to see dresses in this material, especially paragliders who have no idea what can be done to give a second life to their sails. And that seems to make them really happy.”

Festival Tents into Costumes and Rain Coats

(images via: madeinschool.dk)

Long after they have sheltered thousands of music lovers at Denmark’s Roskilde Festival, event tents can shelter fashionistas from the rain in the form of highly unusual upcycled clothing. Designer Lisa Våglund was inspired to use the material after seeing how much trash is left behind each year.

Discarded Wood Chips into Scaled Couture

(images via: ecouterre)

In the hands of designer Stefanie Nieuwenhuys, wood chips rescued from the floor of a university workshop transform into reptilian scales in soft shades of beige. Nieuwenhuys used this inspiration to create a collection of fascinating ‘biomimetic’ corsets, evening dresses, pants and accessories, working with a bio-waste firm to obtain discarded pieces of plywood which she laser-cuts into shape. The designer told eco fashion website Ecouterre that the scales created a “simulacra of nature, without discarding nature’s inherent harmonies.”

Reclaimed Underwear into ‘Knickers Dress’

(images via: design.nl)

Would you wear a dress made of old panties? Designer Antoine Peters gathered up dozens of undergarments and sewed them all up into this kooky experiment in upcycled fashion. The panties are interwoven, and some of the tags are still showing; the designer tried to use every component so that it would be a zero-waste project.

...continue reading HERE

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SEND A COW IT’S UDDERLY BRILLIANT

Greta Jonyniate | 22.12.11

WE LOVE LOVE LOVE SEND A COW – partly because I love cows but even more because when you invest in something you are giving something that will last for a long time and will carry on giving to the whole community. 

This is one of the most important gifts you will ever send. It will enable a family struggaling in Africa to transform their lives, and work their way out of poverty and malnutrition for good...

But it doesn't stop there …

THE CHRISTMAS THAT GOES ON GIVING – THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT
As families become farmers – and often their own bosses – they naturally want to share their success with others. This means that every person who is helped by Send a Cow passes on knowledge and skills to around another 9 family members, friends or neighbours.

One gift to Africa goes a very long way. How cool is that.

We donated a series of gifts – one for each member of our team …

8 x CHICKENS for Anna G

FRUIT ORCHARD for Chrissie

1 x DONKEY for Sophie

2 x GOATS for Greta

1 x KEYHOLE GARDEN for Amanda

1 x BEEHIVE for Kenneth

1 x SEEDS FOR A FAMILY for Rosanna

Please log on and see what you can do. It is a wonderful organisation and grateful for any support that you can give.

www.sendacow.org.uk

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Matching style with Ethics - the Queen of the Green Carpet - Livia Firth

Greta Jonyniate | 06.12.11

A true ambassador for green style, Livia Firth is in a position to prove that women can still be fashionable and socially responsible. Two years ago she embraced the inspiring "Green Carpet Challenge" and stated that she would wear only clothes designed by ethical companies.

Livia has also recently announced a new phase of her challenge: now she's pushing others into it. She is helping to pair 10 "top luxury designers" with 10 celebrities. Stella McCartney, Gucci, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and Alberta Ferretti are already on board.

You can read Viv Groskop’s article from The Guardian below.

From red carpet to green catwalk: the woman matching style with ethics

Standing in the spotlight alongside her movie star husband, Livia Firth rejects big labels to wear reclaimed fabrics. Now she's turning her hand to design

Livia Firth in a mud-dyed silk dress by Les Racines Du Ciel at Katrina Phillips. Photograph: Will Whipple for the Observer

She is seen as the world's most glamorous champion of "eco style" and has been dubbed "the queen of the green carpet". Now Livia Firth is moving into design: last week she revealed she is working on a line for the online retailer Yoox's eco brand Yooxygen, in partnership with Reclaim To Wear, which helps designers recycle textile surplus and waste.

Upcycling – or remaking cast-off items into something different and better – is something of a Firth speciality. She first drew attention to Reclaim to Wear when she wore one of its 1950s strapless cocktail dresses in silver satin to the Venice film festival. For the Paris premiere of The King's Speech, starring her husband Colin Firth, she famously wore an outfit made of one of his old suits.

When Livia wears something, she does it with flair: when her husband hosted the Met Ball in New York this year – one of US fashion's biggest nights – she worked with Stella McCartney on a silk all-in-one jumpsuit covered in reclaimed vintage beads for the occasion, with a detachable skirt made of hemp.

The consort of an Oscar-winner has to work doubly hard to earn the adulation his or her partner commands; one of the first reviews of her eco store in west London wondered whether she was "just another bored housewife who wants to 'dabble' in fairtrade fashion, bankrolled by her super-famous husband". But in a world where she could easily be made to sound like a character from Absolutely Fabulous, Firth, 42, has forged a reputation as a supporter of eco causes who demands to be taken seriously.

Red-carpet spouses are usually regarded with contempt by the fashion press and keenly scrutinised for supposedly idiotic "civilian" style mistakes. "Not enough celebrities take an interest," says Safia Minney, founder of People Tree, one of the UK's most successful designer eco labels. "But the clever ones do. Livia is intelligent and a truly gorgeous person inside and out. She's beautiful, Italian, with great taste... How could she go wrong?"

More...

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Eco lighting: why wouldn’t you?  A Buyers Guide to Eco Lighting.

Greta Jonyniate | 02.11.11

For all green households in the UK, here is a brilliant article. “Eco lighting: a buyer’s guide” by Gervase Poulden form the Ecologist, looking in to the best eco lighting solution available at the moment. You can save money and the planet by investing in eco lighting – so why wouldn’t you?

In September, EU legislation finally outlawed old style incandescent light bulbs, although most had already been removed from UK shelves following a voluntary agreement between the Government and manufacturers. Globally, lighting accounts for 20 per cent of overall energy consumption according to a recent report commissioned by Credit Suisse. In the UK, DEFRA estimates that lighting accounts for 19 per cent of energy used in the home. Choosing the right bulbs can mean lower energy bills as well as being good for the environment, so what’s out there and what’s the best choice?

Energy efficient halogen bulbs

Halogen bulbs are a variation on incandescent bulbs and possess a similar tungsten filament. The big difference is that they also contain halogen gas which slows down deterioration, thus extending the life of the bulb. They look and act in a very similar ways to incandescent bulbs and can save between 25 per cent and 30 per cent more energy, which although an improvement, is less of a reduction than other energy-saving bulbs.

Light emitting diodes (LED) 

At the moment, LED lighting is more common in electronics, business and commercial usage. The Co-op, for example, announced in July that it was installing LED lighting in freezers in 800 of its stores. Because LEDs are still a relatively new technology, some products have had problems. The best way to avoid these problems is to go with trusted manufacturers such as Phillips, Osram or Megaman. An LED bulb will probably set you back around £25 but only need to be replaced about four times every century and use less than 10 per cent of the energy of an incandescent, so they can repay their cost within a couple of years. In comparison to CFLs, their lifespan is four times as long and they can be used with dimmer switches.

Compact fluorescent lamps

This is the type of bulbs most often marketed as ‘energy saving’. The compact version of fluorescent bulbs, they are without many of the drawbacks of standard fluorescent lamps: warming up quickly and not so prone to the odd flicker. The quality of the light is also superior, and less akin to something out of The X-Files. The presence of mercury in these bulbs has lead to some sensationalist headlines over the last few years but most of these fears are unfounded, according Peter Hunt. ‘To put it in perspective, the average thermometer has about 10,000 times as much mercury in it than a compact fluorescent bulb’,’ he says. If you break one, it is best not to rub your hand in the mess then put it in your mouth but as long as you avoid that - and remember to recycle the bulbs properly - you should be fine. CFL bulbs have a lifespan of eight times the amount of regular bulbs, and replacing an incandescent bulb with one can reduce the amount of carbon emitted by 70 per cent as well as saving you £7 per bulb every year. 

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7 Good reasons to drive an electric car

Greta Jonyniate | 28.10.11

Buying an electric car is now a real option as a number of major manufacturers launch high quality, fully electric models onto the UK market. Have a look at these 7 Good reasons to drive an electric car published on Ecofriend's website

1. Zero Air Pollution: Electricity is the fuel of the future and with electricity to power our transportation, our world can tap into renewable resources like hydroelectric, solar, wind, or geothermal power; resources that lessen our environmental footprint. Furthermore, studies show that millions of electric vehicles can recharge at night using existing surplus electrical generation; a vast, virtually untapped resource.

2. Save Gas: Gasoline is a precious natural resource and vital to the world economy. ZAP vehicles use no gasoline and require no oil changes. Using less fossil fuel can help relieve our current energy shortages while ensuring that future generations can rely on the same inexpensive, useful, petroleum products that we all take for granted.

3. Save Money: Gas keeps getting more expensive nowadays. Imagine all the money you can save by ZAPPING to work every day, rather than driving your gas vehicle. The typical electric car costs a penny per mile versus ten cents per mile with gas. Electric bikes and scooters are even less expensive. Plus, electric motors have fewer moving parts, meaning fewer trips to the mechanic. If you live close to work, you can save thousands of dollars per year by replacing your car with a ZAP bicycle.

4. Save Time: Traffic congestion and parking shortages eat away at our busy days, but a ZAP vehicle can help you save time, especially in busy urban areas. ZAP bikes and scooters slice through traffic jams and finding a place to park your space-saving ZAP car is a snap.

5. Help the Economy: Today, the majority of USA's foreign trade deficit is attributed to imported oil. Using a ZAP vehicle will reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Furthermore, by investing in advanced transportation technologies, the USA can take the technological lead in offering energy efficient products that emerging economies around the world can use to build their own transportation infrastructures.

6. Combat Global Warming: Evidence is mounting that carbon emissions are contributing to ozone depletion, climate change, and global warming. ZAP vehicles can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 90 percent compared to internal combustion vehicles, even counting the emissions from fossil fueled power plants. The USA constitutes less than 10 percent of the world's population, but is responsible for almost 30 percent of the world's CO2 emissions.

7. Protect the Environment: Reducing fossil fuel consumption relieves pressure on our natural resources. It eliminates the need to explore for oil in environmentally sensitive habitats. Less automotive emissions means less toxic pollutants in our air, water, and soil. Less oil consumption reduces the risk of oil spills which can safeguard sensitive coastal regions and wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
 

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Estethica: London Fashion Week’s eco hub

Matilda Lee | 19.09.11

Before heading to a champagne brunch for ethical fashion exhibition Estethica yesterday, I tried to catch up on what ‘tweeple’ were saying about London Fashion Week. On Twitter’s #LFW, the big news at that minute was Kate Moss giggling next to Kristen Stewart on the front row of the Mulberry pooch-inspired show. On #Estethica, on the other hand, the tone was much more, shall we say, serious. This from @Pachacuti ‘Before #Estethica brunch we’re calculating CO2 emissions on all travel, freight, electric, etc for #fairtrade, #sustainability report.’

Herein lies the problem with ‘sustainable fashion’ in a nutshell. I find it entirely relevant that fashion accessories brand Pachacuti (pictured here in their fairtrade Panamas) is clocking their CO2 emissions for a sustainability report. But how much does it have to do with fashion? ‘Sustainability’ and ‘fashion’ are caught between two cultures, speaking two totally different languages.

Thankfully, there are more and more people trying to iron out these differences.

‘It is vital to expand the definition of ethical fashion.’ says Jessie Brinton, a style writer for the Sunday Times and Harper’s Bazaar who edited the latest Estethica Review. ‘London Fashion Week entices the non-ethically minded. While the fashion world needs to start to engage in sustainability, there is not much more the environmental side can do. Now it is a question of getting people to pay attention to it’. In order to so this, she says, sustainable fashion, ‘needs to be promoted in a sophisticated way.’

It is an inconvenient truth that people do not buy clothes because they are ethical. Before we ask them to be specific about what they buy, we have to ask them to care about their clothes.

Estethica picks

The 18 designers exhibiting at Estethica are helping to shape the new dialogue about sustainable fashion.

I caught up with Orsola de Castro, From Somewhere designer and co-founder of Estethica. From Somewhere was exhibiting its Speedo collection using lycra offcuts in body hugging dresses with a sporty chic look. She hinted at their future plans: gearing up for a new ‘reclaimed to wear’ collection launching in November and ‘something very exciting with Topshop’.

Emesha (pictured here) added 3-D to her signature pleats in a collection with hand painted block prints inspired by 'analog versus digital'. The colour pallet is in simple black and white, with some green and splashes of pink. Why is she considered ethical? ‘I use no man made fibres. Today it is hard to find any big brands that don’t use any man made fibres. But after all, they will biodegrade, ' she says.

On to Rajkumar’s trenches made from natural rubber and organic cotton. Unusually, John Pratt, former director of the University of Lancaster’s Institute for Philosophy and Environment, is promoting the company in the UK. Why the career change, I asked while trying on a white organic cotton trench. ‘I retired, but also with oil running out we will have to go back to renewable resources. Rubber is a fantastic resource.’ All the rubber and organic cotton comes from India.

Michelle Lowe-Holder upcycles vintage ribbons into beautiful cuffs, collars and necklaces. Textiles are a combination of vintage end of line floral ribbons and leather cut-offs. This season she also experimented with innovative fabrics from Italy including hemp and coconut (pictured below).

 Charini Suriyage’s eco-lingerie collection is glamourous and timeless – using the lost heritage crafts of her native Sri Lanka. In terms of sustainability practice she refrains from using elastics, plastics, harmful dying and metal.

Good One continues its signature body con figure flattering silhouettes using reclaimed textiles. The Soil Association had a presence for the first time, with a small collection curated by the Telegraph’s Tamsin Blanchard including Monkee Jeans, Continental Clothing and People Tree.

Finally, a new star is in the making in Eva Zingoni – from Paris by way of Argentina. After 7 years as a stylist at Balenciaga, she decided to branch out with her own sustainable couture collection made from surplus materials from Parisian fashion houses, which she refused to name. There are 4 designer fabrics in the current collection. She got into upcycling fabrics after visiting a warehouse where there were stacks of unused, high quality fabrics. She says, ‘This guy said to me, “you’ve got to take them, they’ve been here for three years. Sometimes they even throw them away.”’

The collection is beautiful, 25 pieces - mainly dresses (including one modelled below) but including shorts, trousers, tops and jackets in a mix of fabrics from wool to silk. Currently stocked in Japan, Spain and Belgium it would be great to be able to buy her designs here in London!

'Greenest government ever'?

Two or three champagne glasses later, when Gregory Barker MP, Minister for Energy and Climate Change (pictured below), finally got to the microphone for his speech the floor was teeming with sustainable fashionistas.

He said: ‘With the Eurozone crisis, and a difficult economy and jobs situation, it is difficult to keep climate change on top of the agenda. It is a challenge for the “greenest government ever”.

He went on to outline how fashion could help. ‘We need to find sustainable paths in an age of recession but it needn’t be difficult to grow and be sustainable. It takes effort and passion.’

The challenge is to communicate sustainability to the public. ‘While only government can run green projects and create a low carbon economy, you [the fashion industry] have much more traction in the public imagination. We need to make what we don’t want to do appealing. ‘Upcycling’ as I’ve learned today demonstrates through actions the ‘greenest government ever’s message.’

He then looked utterly perplexed as a gaggle of women surrounded him to talk about their sustainable fashion initiatives and give him their business cards.

On my way out, I bumped in to Antony Waller, formerly People Tree PR, who helped set up their high-profile collaborations with Bora Aksu, Richard Nicoll, and Emma Watson, and who is now doing four days a week at Bora Aksu. I asked his opinion on why Christopher Raeburn, formerly of Estethica, and now of the prestigious NewGen programme, has become a darling of the fashion world. Is there a particular look that just fits the fashion bill – or what? ‘Outerwear is easy to sell. His price point is not too high, he has always marketed himself as recycled – but that is not the first thing that you learn about Christopher Raeburn. He is young, hip and cool. His clothes photograph well.’

I think back to Gregory Barker’s comments on repackaging the green paradigm.

The fashion industry of today is a massive marketing machine, with a power to influence people’s lives in a way that the government will never have. Think what could be achieved by bending it to market green ideas.

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GROWTH OF MARKET FOR E-BIKES

Greta Jonyniate | 31.08.11

As the world’s population grows and the roadways become more crowded, electric bikes are becoming an increasingly popular eco-friendly transport solution for short distance travel. The latest report from Pike research anticipates that the global market for electric two wheeled vehicles including: e-bikes, e-scooters and e-motorcycles will grow 9 per cent through to 2016. By the end of this year alone there will be an impressive 30,000,000 e-bikes on the streets worldwide. It seems incredible that, despite the global electric-bike industry being at virtually zero ten years ago, today it is an $11 billion market.
 

So, how did this trend start? As The Times reports, it all began in China where there are now an estimated 120 million electric-bikes, up from only a few thousand in the 1990s. “They are replacing traditional bikes and motorcycles at a rapid clip and, in many cases, allowing people to put off the switch to cars,” the article says. Beijing and Shanghai are swarming with e-bikes as The Economist reports, “the (Chinese) government wants to encourage electric bicycles to curb the pollution and congestion created by other vehicles…The authorities are also trying to make e-bikes themselves greener: manufacturers are being compelled to invest in lighter materials and to replace lead-acid batteries with lithium ones.”

It's no wonder that India, Asia’s other upcoming economic juggernaut, which had virtually no sales until two years ago, is also expanding at an incredible rate and could surpass Europe’s in the next year. “The growth has been tremendous in the last two years,” says Naveen Munjal, managing director of Hero Electric, a division of India’s largest bicycle and motorcycle maker. Indian Entrepreneurs are also challenging the development and mass production of the electric bike components which should reduce the production cost of the bike and ultimately the cost to the customer.

Yet, these exotic electric two-wheelers remain the most popular in European countries with Germany and Netherlands leading the way. Pike research forecasts Western Europe as having the largest market for two wheeled vehicles with 1.941 million vehicles for CAGR of 17.3% between 2009 and 2016. Interest in the U.S. is also increasing; an estimated 200,000 electric-bikes were sold last year.

As for the UK, electric bicycles are becoming extremely well-liked being that they are a sensible, eco-conscious, and less costly mode of transportation. The recently formed British Electric Bike Association (BEBA) is predicting dramatic growth for the e-bike market this year, with further sales acceleration in the years to come. Halfords, Evans Cycles, Tesco and Argos are all selling and promoting e-Bikes in the UK while BEBA is about to start a major promotion of e-Bikes to independent bike dealers. BEBA secretary and co-founder Mark Loveridge said that “sales jumped from 15,000 in 2008 to over 20,000 in 2009” and the trend does not appear to be stopping there.
 

Julia Hailes, an environmental consultant and writer, has recently had an opportunity to trial two electric bikes herself: a mountain bike (Haibike eQ Xduro FS) and a more sedate upright bike (Koga). She has been using the bikes mainly for pleasure when exploring the beauty of Somerset’s countryside, without having to worry about being out of breath whilst trying to tackle this extremely hilly region. With three teenage sons, she has also found that the bikes are great as part of her family routine too.

For those who want to hear more about how did Julia get on with using e-bikes watch this space as we will feature the full Julia’s review soon.
 

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