Aside from eco-burials and artistic or branded urns, not a lot has changed in how we typically honour the dead. A few new hearse options have popped up in recent years, however, that offer the biker crowd a way to give loved ones an unconventional last ride.
The Tombstone Hearse Company, for example, offers transport of caskets or urns in a motorcycle-drawn nineteenth-century style hearse. Tombstone also offers the option of touring on favourite roads or past sentimental places along the way to the final destination. The Pennsylvania-based company has affiliates nationwide as well as in England and the West Indies. Prices for motorcycle hearse services begin at roughly USD 650.
Texas-based Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse, meanwhile, offers coach and driver services for prices beginning at USD 400, while Maryland-based Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Hearse Company serves the mid-Atlantic region for prices starting at USD 795.
The California-based Black Velvet Motorcycle Hearse company, on the other hand, uses a 2002 Harley Davidson Road King Classic and attached hearse to transport the dead while the addition of a custom 2007 Liberty sidecar allows widows to ride along.
There are other contenders as well, but the category as a whole is yet another beautiful illustration of the profitability of appealing to the massive ageing baby boom generation and its various hobbies and lifestyle choices. Whether through supermarkets, being spaces, driving services or hearse services, the opportunities are many to take traditional offerings and tailor them for this unique demographic. The reward? If you're lucky, you might just earn your own little piece of HOG heaven! ;-)
Websites: www.blackvelvethearse.com — www.tombstonehearse.com — www.bdmotorcyclehearse.com — www.midatlanticbikehearse.com
Spotted by: David Brundage
When we wrote about Texas-based uShip last year, we noted that there were few—if any—equivalents on other continents. As if on cue, earlier this year a new company with a similar model entered beta in the United Arab Emirates.
Like uShip, Dubai-based Darrb (which means "way" in Arabic) is a delivery service marketplace that aims to connect people who have something to send with people who are willing to do the delivering. In eBay fashion, the process begins when a user posts an item they want to have delivered. Those interested in handling the job—known on the site as "Darrbers"—then bid for it with the lowest price and fastest delivery time they can offer. Darrb sorts all bids by both price and promised speed, with a third factor—quality of service, as measured by the deliverer's past customer ratings—available as a deciding factor. Once the user selects a Darrber and the job is done, he or she can enter feedback and ratings that get attached to that shipper's account for use by future users.
Using Darrb during its beta period is free, and will remain so for users, the site says. Shippers will eventually be charged membership fees. More than 100 Darrbers have signed on with the site since its launch, and those numbers will likely increase soon: Earlier this month the team behind Darrb launched eMapia, a map-based online marketplace that lets users search by country for things for sale around the world, and it plans to promote the use of Darrb for shipping those items.
Profits await those who can capitalize on the intention economy, as we've noted before in several related examples. Nice to see the concept spreading around the globe! (Related: Ride-sharing for packages.)
Website: www.darrb.com
Contact: www.darrb.com/contactus.php
Spotted by: Susanna Haynie
We've featured 'feeder businesses' for IKEA before—companies that feed off the behemoth's business by offering its customers add-on products or services. While Bemz and Parts of Sweden let customers add options to products they've already bought from IKEA, ModerNash found a different customer need to fulfil.
Nashville residents looking for Swedish design at low prices don't have access to a local IKEA; the nearest blue-and-green big box is in Atlanta. So two friends decided to bring IKEA to Tennessee by taking orders from customers and driving down to Atlanta to pick up the goods. Customers submit their orders on modernash.com, listing item numbers, colours, etc. Modernash brings the goods to its Nashville storage facility, where customers can pick up their orders (the company also offers home delivery for an additional USD 50). ModerNash's shipping rates are significantly lower than those charged by IKEA, ranging from 20–29% of a customer's total purchase amount.
The company also assembles furniture for USD 25/hour, handles returns (even for customers who didn't order through ModerNash), and partners with other local companies that design and install IKEA kitchens. Last but not least, it keeps a small number of popular items in stock for immediate pick-up or delivery.
IKEA's shipping fees in the US tend to be very high—its business model just isn't geared to catalogue and delivery sales. In many countries, customers can't order online from IKEA at all. Which opens up opportunities for local delivery companies who'd like to target a niche audience and are willing to offer the extra service, expertise (and patience) required for shopping at IKEA. (Related: eBay feeder business for 'pickup only' items.)
Website: www.modernash.com
Contact: nick@modernash
Spotted by: Mark Sharp
Catering to design-conscious urban cyclists who'd rather not sacrifice style for safety, a group of Danish designers has created a bicycle helmet with interchangeable covers.
Copenhagen-based Yakkay sells a simple shell helmet (dubbed "Smart One") that's tucked away under one of ten different covers. The helmet retails at DKK 599 (EUR 80 / USD 120), and the covers are sold for DKK 299 (EUR 40 / USD 60). While chin straps betray their true nature, the helmets otherwise resemble hats and caps worn for fashion, not protection.
Yakkay states that the number of seriously injured cyclists with head injuries is around 2,500 per year in Denmark (on a total population of under 5.5 million). And that's in a country where motorists are accustomed to cyclists, and where most roads have separate bicycle lanes. As more consumers across the world hop on their bikes to reduce their gas bills, carbon footprints and waistlines, the market for innovative cycling products and services should grow at a healthy pace. One to tap into! Easy way to get started? Ask Yakkay about regional distribution opportunities. (Related: Stylish fire protection kits.)
Update: please don't email Yakkay about international distribution. They wrote to tell us that they have a plan in place for their international launch and are currently receiving too many distributor requests.
Website: www.yakkay.com
Contact: info@yakkay.com
Spotted by: Lori Webb
Unless they happen to be near a bicycle shop during business hours, bicyclists who break down are typically out of luck if they don't already have the parts they need to make a repair. Aiming to make bike parts more accessible, two different vending machines we've spotted are always on hand with critical parts.
Most recently, bike manufacturer Trek set up a prototype Trek Stop Cycling Convenience Center at the end of June, just off the bike path in Madison, Wisconsin. Located outside (and operated by) bike shop Machinery Row, the Trek Stop is a 24/7/365 convenience center for cyclists that provides access to cycling products, information and a safe place to work on a bike. The full-service vending machine is stocked with bicycle products such as spare tubes, patches, tire levers, CO2 cartridges and more, along with food and cold drinks; it also features an information center with maps, a message board and advertising space for local announcements. A covered maintenance area, meanwhile, offers a work stand, free air and even how-to videos—available at the push of a button—for those trickier repairs.
The idea for Trek Stop was born a few years ago when a crew of industrial designers at Trek led by Mike Hammond began thinking of ways to make bicycle commuting more viable. “Motorists have it easy,” says Hammond. “Gas stations, convenience stores, auto parts stores, tow trucks—you name it. The support network for cars far outclasses cyclists. The Trek Stop aims to change that by breaking down some of the ‘worries’ attached to cycling.” While the Trek Stop is currently just in prototype form and slated to run for only another month or so, Seattle-based Aaron's Bicycle Repair has actually had a similar vending machine in place since 2005. With items like inner tubes, flat repair items, energy bars and gel, the machine is located just outside Aaron's for after-hours service.
As environmental concerns and skyrocketing gas costs lead to increasing numbers of bicyclists around the globe, it's not hard to imagine vending machines like these popping up all over—particularly in spots where there aren't bike shops nearby. Time to get together with a bike shop or manufacturer and bring some machines to the trails near you? (Related: Hybrid taxis rescue cyclists.)
Website: www.trekbikes.com — www.machineryrowbicycles.com — www.rideyourbike.com/vendingmachine.html
Contact: mike_hammond@trekbikes.com — info@machineryrowbicycles.com — vendingmachine@rideyourbike.com
Spotted by: Pat Bice
Pedal-powered taxis and free love have both been around for years, but it wasn't until just recently that one of our spotters saw them combined. Specifically, Dublin-based Ecocabs now offers free eco-taxi rides throughout the streets of the city.
Ecocabs are pedal-powered (but battery-assisted, when necessary) tricycles that can accommodate three people for emissions-free transit through congested urban areas. Launched in April, they offer short-distance travel within the Dublin city centre from 10 am to 7 pm, seven days a week. Rides on the vehicles are free, of course, through the power of sponsorship. Vehicles are wrapped with brand-specific colours and imagery, and drivers can also hand out leaflets, wear branded clothing or target particular areas of the city. (Ecocabs are also available to act as a dedicated or on-demand shuttle service for customers, clients and employees, as well as at product launches, photo-shoots, trade-fairs, public sporting events, etc.) Current sponsors of the vehicles include 7Up, Yoplait and KPMG.
Ecocabs have also been seen offering free rides on the streets of Toronto, and full-fare versions exist in numerous other cities. In Ireland, meanwhile, Ecocab is seeking franchise operators in Cork and Belfast. Time to start serving up some pedal-powered free love of your own....? (Related: Whispering billboards, talkative cab drivers and Cargo bikes for greener business deliveries in congested cities.)
Website: www.ecocabs.ie
Contact: comments@ecocabs.ie
Spotted by: Keetsa via RK
We've seen (and written about) both green taxis and motorcycle taxis before, but never a combination of the two. Sure enough, though, one of our spotters recently came across an all-electric motorcycle service in France.
Citybird's Electri-City operates a fleet of 15 Suzuki Burgman 650cc Executive scooters from its Paris-based headquarters, as well as a number of luxurious Honda Goldwings for use by members of its Citybird Club. All its Suzuki scooters are 100 percent electric, and emit just 125g CO2 per km—significantly less than most motorcycles and 50 to 70 percent less than traditional taxis, according to Climate Mundi. Taking it even further, though, Citybird works with Climate Mundi to offset those remaining emissions, along with those from its own administration. So, it also effectively negates the emissions from manufacturing all the motorcycles and gas it uses, as well as from making the supplies, furniture and computers used in its offices and its waste, energy facilities and movement of personnel.
Electri-City, which has made more than 54,000 trips since 2003, now has 160 companies under contract for its services. It also has partnerships with British Airways and TGV for airport transportation. Fares begin at EUR 25 within Paris, with subscriptions available offering discounts of up to 20 percent. Microphone-equipped helmets are included, as is protective gear in foul weather.
Motorcycle taxis already have an advantage in congested urban areas, but those benefits are multiplied many times over when the service is emissions-free. This one seems like a no-brainer—to be replicated in cities throughout the world!
Website: www.city-bird.com/_electricity
Contact: infos@city-bird.com
Spotted by: Matthew Cua
With gas prices a topic of urgent concern, it's no wonder bicycle-related innovations are coming fast and furious. One of the latest we've spotted is the Zigo Leader, a bicycle that's easily convertible into several different forms.
Much like the Danish trioBike, which we covered a while back, the Zigo Leader can be easily converted into any of four different modes: stand-alone bicycle; bicycle with front-attached kid trailer; jogging stroller; and traditional stroller. Converting from one mode to another is simply a matter of swivelling casters and attaching or detaching the "child pod" trailer, and can be done in 30 seconds or less, Zigo says. The vehicle also folds easily for storage. Priced at USD 1,349, the Zigo Leader will be available in August direct from the New Jersey-based company or through a network of dealers including bicycle shops and baby stores. It comes 98 percent assembled; shipping is available anywhere in North America, the EU and Australia. Accessories including a rain cover/bug screen and restraint harness can also be purchased.
Will modular, pedal-powered vehicles become the new cars? We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, keep those bicycle innovations coming! (Related: Cargo bikes for greener business deliveries.)
Website: www.myzigo.com
Contact: support@myzigo.com
Spotted by: Matthew Cua and John Boufford
