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@bikepusher
ok, someone has come up with the strange but intriguing idea of fitting a chalk-dispensing device to your bike to sort of mark out your territory as you ride.
Here's the sell:
THE CONTRAIL: Contrail is a small bright bike accessory that allows bicyclists to color in their own space on the road. It’s like playing with sidewalk chalk, but faster.
THE WORKS: Contrail holds 200 grams of chalk, enough for about 20 miles (32km) of riding. It functions much like a carpenter’s chalk line: A small amount of powdered chalk is filtered through a brush inside the device and picked up on a felt wheel. The felt wheel transfers this chalk onto the rear tire leaving a fine layer. As chalk builds up, the tire leaves a faint line of color on the roadbed. This is you contrail. It is a colorful and ephemeral representation of your path.
This Contrail idea, from a US designer called Pepin Gelardi, was entered into the 'power to the pedal' competition run by the Design 21 'social design network', a UNESCO- backed organisation that seeks 'design for the better good'.
I like the idea of groups of riders colouring in London's streets as they ride, but really not sure how it would help protect against u-turning cab drivers and sleepy long-haul truckers.
any thoughts on whether this is indeed 'design for the better good' (terrible mission statement, BTW). More on the contrail and other 'Power to the Pedal' designs here