RETREET BLOG

RETREET redefines disaster relief by engaging communities to replant lost trees.


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.92

A 1,400-year-old ginkgo tree in China has been making quite a scene this fall. Thousands of people have flocked to the site of a glorious ocean of yellow leaves raining down upon a Buddhist temple. These are some stunning images.

YELLOW LEAVES RAIN ON BUDDHIST TEMPLE (photos)

YELLOW LEAVES RAIN ON BUDDHIST TEMPLE (photos)

Next year, construction begins on The Copenhagen Gate, a bicycle bridge that's suspended 213 feet above water and connects two high rise buildings. The most interesting feature is the midpoint connection of the two protrusions, where the bridge appears broken. Check out this odd design.

THE COPENHAGEN BRIDGE (photos)

THE COPENHAGEN BRIDGE (photos)

Have you ever seen The Blue Trees? An ongoing project of artist Konstantin Dimopoulos, it raises the level of social consciousness about the importance of trees by using nontoxic paint to change their color, making their irregularity impossible to ignore. We really like this.

THE BLUE TREES (video)

THE BLUE TREES (video)

 


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.87

Big news out of Oslo, Norway. The city recently announced that it will ban all cars from the center of town, a move that affects some 350,000 or so vehicle owners. The plan also calls for the addition of some 35 miles of bike lanes and heavy investment in public transport. It is the first major city in the world to make such a bold move. Read more about it at the link below.

OSLO BANS CARS (article)

OSLO BANS CARS (article)

Europeans have been building wildlife bridges across major highways for many years, and, in more good news, some US cities are taking the initiative to do the same. Following the lead of Washington state, California now plans to construct the largest such crossing in America in an effort to aid wildlife species suffering from habitat loss due to urban sprawl. 

LOS ANGELES WILDLIFE BRIDGE (video)

LOS ANGELES WILDLIFE BRIDGE (video)

Need some inspiration? Check out Inspired to Ride, the new film from director Mike Dion. 45 cyclists gear up to race across America, an epic journey that crosses 10 states and 4,300 miles. The fastest time? Just under 18 days. This amazing film is definitely a joy to watch. Check out the trailer below!

INSPIRED TO RIDE (preview)

INSPIRED TO RIDE (preview)

 


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.77

We come across a lot of articles about new cycling infrastructure being installed all across the world, but the one below was a bit unexpected. As it turns out, Pyongyang, North Korea, has a thriving cycling community. So much so that the government has begun to install separated lanes for cyclists to reduce the number of accidents, which have been on the rise as of late as more and more citizens turn to two wheels for transportation. Read more at the link below.

BIKE LANES IN NORTH KOREA (article)

BIKE LANES IN NORTH KOREA (article)

Gavin Munro, a young man from Derbyshire, England, has developed a whole new method of producing wooden chairs: he grows them! As Gavin puts it, growing chairs is like 3-D printing them, except that air, water, and sun are the raw materials he uses. Learn more about his business, Full Grown, by watching this short report from the BBC.

THE MAN WHO GROWS TREES INTO CHAIRS (video)

THE MAN WHO GROWS TREES INTO CHAIRS (video)

Bicycles, and those who ride them, have played an important part in the development of the United States. Many technologies that were originally invented to service the cycling community have made a major impact in many elements of our lives. The hollow steel tube, for instance, which was developed for use in bike frames, as well as ball bearings and air filled rubber tires. The list is rather large. Read this fascinating piece about the bicycle and the ride to modern America.

THE BICYCLE AND THE RIDE TO MODERN AMERICA (article)

THE BICYCLE AND THE RIDE TO MODERN AMERICA (article)

 


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.33

Ever wonder how the Dutch got such amazing cycling infrastructure? The short film below will answer all of your questions and perhaps provide a vision for the future of you city.

Though he has been mentioned before, we wanted to share a short film about Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India, who spent decades planting a 1,360 acre forest in the wake of a flood that is now home to tigers, rhinoceros, and apes. What an inspirational tale.

Lastly, take a few tips from a seasoned bicycle thief about how to protect your ride.

Happy Sunday!

HOW THE DUTCH GOT THEIR CYCLE PATHS (SHORT FILM)

HOW THE DUTCH GOT THEIR CYCLE PATHS (SHORT FILM)

THE FOREST MAN OF INDIA (SHORT FILM)

THE FOREST MAN OF INDIA (SHORT FILM)

TIPS FROM A BIKE THIEF (ARTICLE)

TIPS FROM A BIKE THIEF (ARTICLE)