Made in America: Made in the Mountains

With a name like American Mountain Co. could its products be made anywhere else but in America? The company is based in Sewickley, Penn. and has a factory in Spokane, Wash. and this start-up, which launched with a Kickstarter project, looks to introduce its first products – the hardshell jacket and fleece – this winter.

The company will source fabrics and materials from U.S. mills, but more importantly each piece will be feature a hand-signed label by the person who made it in the Spokane factory. We look forward to hearing good things from this company, which has announced plans to bring out a full line of outerwear and clothing in 2013.

American Mountain Co. Official Website

Bikes Belong Calls for Protected Bikeways

While many hardcore cyclists have no fear of riding in traffic, for many commuters, younger riders and those with an actual fear of death likely avoid riding on streets at all costs. But several cities are working to make for safer and stress-free. Top transportation officials from across the country, including Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, headlined the launch of a new initiative to bring protected bikeways to six U.S. cities including Austin, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

This is the result of the Green Lane Project, which was created by the national bicycling nonprofit Bikes Belong Foundation.

Green lanes are dedicated, inviting spaces for people on bikes in the roadway, protected by curbs, planters, posts or parked cars. The goal of the Green Lane Project is to support the selected cities in their efforts to develop and install these kinds of facilities. Recent studies have demonstrated their benefits nationwide. In Washington, D.C., bicycle volume tripled after protected bikeways were installed. In Portland, Ore., more than 70 percent of survey respondents said bicycling is easier and safer with these dedicated lanes, while motorists said the facilities did not make driving any slower or less convenient. Continue reading Bikes Belong Calls for Protected Bikeways

Half Pipes With Recycled NewWood

The name NewWood probably sounds like it should be made from virgin lumber, but actually it is anything but. NewWood Manufacturing, located in Elma, Washington, has been in business for a year producing utility board created from post consumer wood waste, mixed with discard plastic bags. And while it has a number of uses, it will soon be the surface for skateboarders.

We’ve seen skate decks that have taken advantage of recycled materials, and even skate decks that have found life after they’re seen one too many spills. Now the 99.9 percent American made NewWood material, which is reportedly flexible, durable and all weather-resistant, will be used by OC Ramps as a skating surfaces – with plans to eventually use it on all surfaces. In the future we could even see old skateboard decks recycled with other wood and plastics to make NewWood surfaces! Video after the jump

PVC-’free’dom While Kayaking

Most outdoor enthusiasts are knowledgeable and sensitive to the impact that plastics can have on the environment. There are a growing number of consumers and retailers that want to see products that are kinder or at least more benign to Mother Mature. This comes down to a reduction of key plastics and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of those materials on the hit list.

While PVC is still used in many applications, Innova Kayak of Burlington, Washington is starting to release PVC-free inflatable products.

These include the Swing I and Swing II, which are designed to meet the PVC-free standards that progressive dealers and consumers demand, while still offering the performance benefits of a decked boat.

The result is one that weighs less than half that of many comparable hard shell boats; where the 10-foot, 6-inch Swing I tips the scales at 22 pounds and the 13-foot Swing II, a double, is 26 pounds. Continue reading PVC-’free’dom While Kayaking

Bill Gates to Keynote 2010 mHealth Summit

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who is currently co-chair and trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will offer the keynote address at the upcoming 2010 mHealth Summit to be held November 8 – 10 in Washington, D.C. Gates will address the potential of mobile technologies to improve health outcomes in the developing world. This interactive discussion will take part on November 9 at 1:00pm ET. Continue reading Bill Gates to Keynote 2010 mHealth Summit