Thule Lauches Cargo-Luggage Box Interactive Visual Guide

Thule Racks has launched an interactive cargo-luggage box visual guide. The interface is available at the Thule corporate website. Users are offered the opportunity to select their specific vehicle make, model and color. They can then choose any of the roof boxes compatible with their particular vehicle. The selected luggage box is then added to the vehicle, allowing the user to visualize what the cargo box will likely look like on the user's vehicle.

Delta Cycle Corp. Recalls Bike Storage Rack

The Delta Cycle Corp. in cooporation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has begun a voluntary recall of the Delta Picasso Two-Bike Racks. Consumers are instructed to stop using this product immediately unless otherwise instructed. The company believes about 3,500 storage racks are affected.

Delta Cycle Corp., of Foxboro, Massachusetts, explained the bike racks do not have sufficient hardware to support its weight when hung on a wall, possibly causing the storage bike rack to unexpectedly fall. There has been one report of a bike rack falling. No injuries have been reported however. This recall involves Picasso bike racks with a collapsible shelf. The storage bike rack can be mounted on the wall and has slots to support two bicycles. The metal rack has the Delta logo and name printed on the front of the rack. The products were sold at LL Bean, Bike Nashbar and independent bike shops nationwide from January 2002 to the current date for about $40. Manufactured in China and Taiwan, consumers should contact Delta Cycle immediately to receive additional hardware and updated installation instructions.

Bill Proposed to allow Mopeds Use of Bicycle Parking Racks

Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou has introduced a bill that proposes to allow mopeds, but not motorcycles or motor scooters, to lock up to city bicycle parking racks on sidewalks. The bill prohibits riding mopeds on sidewalks however. Hawaii State Senator Suzanne Chun has drafted a bill that was distributed at the Downtown Neighborhood Board meeting. The bill would revise state law to allow mopeds to park on sidewalks where there are no designated on-street moped stalls to be found.

A moped is defined as a device with two or three wheels in contact with the ground that has a maximum power of 2 horsepower and a maximum speed of 30 mph. A driver's license is required to drive a moped, but they have the same registration requirement as bicycles.

Golf Club Hitch Cargo Box Available

Feat First Inc. has released the Autolinx hard-shell travel case that carries a golf bag and is suitable for airline travel as well stated a company spokesman. The Autolinx can be attached to the back of a truck or car using a typical hitch receiver that is commonly used for rear mount bike, ski, kayak and canoe racks. "Everyone knows hard-shell cargo-luggage carriers and cases offer the best protection, but the downside has been their unyielding bulk," added the spokesman. The Autolinx cargo box protects but avoids the bulkiness and even look good on small cars such as a Porsche 911, Audi TT or Dodge Viper. The golf club cargo carriers are priced at $295 each, and work with all trucks, vans, sports cars and SUVs with hitch receivers.

Chrysler Group Issues Bulletin on Reducing Aerodynamic Drag

The Chrysler Group has issued a bulletin to educate consumers on ways to decrease fuel costs when taking road trips. Among Chrysler's advice are instructions to reduce aerodynamic drag on a car or truck by removing empty luggage carriers, cargo box attachments, bike racks, ski racks, canoe carriers, kayak rack attachments and surfboard racks when not using a car roof rack system for transporting outdoor sports gear and equipment. The report states that at highway speed, 50% of the vehicle engine power is used to overcome aerodynamic drag.