Foodspotting’s top pick for food by bike in San Francisco: bike to the ocean for a chocolate sandcastle.

Love food? Love bikes? Our San Francisco Food By Bike Foodspotting Guide just might be for you. We picked some of our favorite spots that either deliver by bike or straight up serve food from a pedal powered cart.

Foodspotting sent us their own good cycling foodie tip  which is all about grabbing your bike, enjoying the weather and trying this delectable morsel:

Beach Chalet Chocolate Sandcastle @ Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant

With a bike, and some good weather, you can ride all the way down the hills to head toward the beach. There, you can get the fun chocolate sandcastle while dining with a beach scene in front of you. – Amy Cao

Spotted by Jen Minto

Check out the full guide and enjoy!

In Foodspotting Friday we highlight one of Foodspotting’s top picks from our Foodspotting guides. Be sure to check them out and tip us off to your own favorites in our Readers’ Picks guide. Want to start spotting food on your own? Join Foodspotting and take part in the food spotting revolution. It’s visual, it’s positive, it’s global and we are in love with it.

Images: Daily Candy, Foodspotting

The drive-thru: an iconic institution fueled by the American spirit to hit the open road. But in this day and age, drive-thrus have become synonymous with unhealthy lifestyle habits, both because of the food they serve and the mode of transportation used to get there. But what if the food was good, and getting access to it promoted sustainable living habits?

In Madison, a restaurateur is looking to open an eating space that’s anything but a drive-thru; he wants to launch a bike-thru, accessible only by two wheels. The Wisconsin capital is already known for its cycling culture, in fact it’s currently ranked the nation’s #7 city for biking, and Chris Berge thinks it would be the optimal spot for what he calls a “bike-in” bar and grill. The proposed restaurant would be built on the city’s Southwest Commuter Path, making it inaccessible by car, and commit to serving local food, and producing zero garbage. He’d also make it a great place for riders to get a quick rest stop, with bathrooms, a fountain for filling water bottles and a bicycle repair service station.

Although the restaurant hasn’t been officially proposed yet, the idea has already garnered the support of the mayor of Madison, Dave Cieslewicz. “I think it’s fascinating idea,” Cieslewicz said. Be it a love for good, local food or a passion for two-wheeled transport, the idea has the potential to take off in other cities as well.

Conscious urbanites know that combining a love of bikes and food makes sense, and restaurants that offer ample bike parking for diners that arrive on two wheels are already getting plenty of national traction, and in places like Venice Beach, there’s even valet velo parking.

And for those that can’t make it out of the house, there are lots of two wheeled foodie delivery options from soup to coffee to jam. Vive le culinary velo revolution!

Editor’s note: This is the latest installment of Anna Brones’s column at EcoSalon, Foodie Underground. Each week, Anna will be taking a look at something new and different that’s taking place in the underground food movement, from supper clubs to mini markets to culinary avant garde.

Whether you’re hopping on a bike to pedal for a good cause, or hoping to unwind with some fresh air and boost your mental health, bicycling is an all around great activity that the whole family can enjoy together. Below I’ve included some handy resources which highlight bike trails and family friendly cycling trips that will send you down happy trails while creating many a picturesque memory. So hop on your bikes and strap on your helmets, and go forth into the great wide open as a family!

Bike Riders Tours offers family biking excursions in worldwide locales from New England to Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Croatia, and many more destinations. Bikes, gear, snacks and juices are provided, and tour guides accompany each group to ensure safety and fun along the way.

We previously reported that Google maps now provides cycling directions in 150 American cities via their online mapping service. Turn everyday outings to the store or park into an entirely new experience for your kids. Perched on a bike, they’ll see their city in an entirely different light than they would from the backseat of a car.

Trails.com features a list of the best road bike trips across the United States, ranking the trails with regard to level of difficulty and offering a five-star rating system in which online members may rank paths and provide firsthand insight regarding their experience with a trail.

If you live in or are traveling to the Wild West this summer, Tucson, AZ boasts an array of biking day trips with the serene desert as a backdrop. These excursions will only apply to early risers, because Tucson temperatures rise to over 100 degrees by mid-day during the summer months – so you may want to wait until fall or winter to pedal these paths!

Bicycling Magazine is a great resource for the best bike rides in America and a selection of America’s top 50 bike-friendly cities. Thorough descriptions of bike trails enable cyclists to plan an accurate, successful excursion.

Santa Barbara is arguably one of the most breathtakingly beautiful cities in the world. The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition suggests a list of bike rides throughout the dreamy beach town and surrounding areas that are sure to leave the entire family awestruck and inspired.

Image: eyeliam

Bikes and travel: two of my absolute favorite things. What better way to see the world than carbon free? If you’re looking to do some traveling that gives back to the community, bike rides are an excellent way to combine exploring and supporting a cause. Sure, you might need to train a little, but putting in a couple of rides each week has oh-so-many benefits. And you can brag about it to all your friends.

We’ve pulled together a selection of interesting bike rides that take you through some beautiful countryside and promote important issues. Dust off that seat and start training!

Climate Ride

For the last two years, Climate Ride has taken cyclists and climate activists from New York City to Washington D.C., and the event has been so successful that this year they’re adding a California version. The ride brings together all kinds of leaders in climate, renewable energy and environmental causes. Last year the likes of ocean rower Roz Savage and The Lazy Environmentalist Josh Dorfman even hopped aboard. Climate Ride California will take place September 21-25, 2010. Learn more here.

The Great Fashion Cycle 2010

The Environmental Justice Foundation is working to raise awareness about human rights and environmental abuses in the fashion industry, and what better way than cycling between two fashion capitals, London and Paris? The event takes place July 14-18, 2010 and you can learn more about promoting a fairer fashion future two-wheel style by clicking here.

Pedals for Africa

Explore Alaska by bike and support school children in Ethiopia and Malawi. The ride takes place July 17-23, 2010, and if you’re interested, go here to get more info – quick as there are only five spots left!

Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee

A six-day adventure across the state parks of Tennessee raises money for the Cumberland Trail Conference. An excellent way to support state parks and get in a week-long bike ride. The ride takes place September 12-18, 2010.

Bike 2 Bike

Bike 2 Bike gives people the chance to explore the West by bicycle, while at the same time helping out local organizations. The company organizes tours in the Rockies and the Southwest, and encourages riders of all levels to take part. Each ride supports a charitable cause. You can learn more here.

Image: Totomaru

When the weather’s nice, it seems almost criminal to travel via car or stuffy bus. Jumping on a bike and cruising down the street with the breeze blowing through your hair-now, that sounds like a better way to celebrate the sun. Unfortunately, my bike is a rusted mess, with shoddy brakes and practically flat wheels. I’m in need of a new one, which means I need to do some research. Buying a new bike is an investment; not only are your safety and comfort at stake, but should you buy the wrong one, that’s hundreds of dollars (or even thousands, depending on the model) down the drain. Whether you’re looking for a bike to commute with or just something to get you to the market down the street, there are necessary steps everyone should take pre-purchase.

Ask yourself this first: why do you want a bike?

Have you walked into a bike shop recently? There are roughly one bajillion bicycles to choose from, so before you set foot inside, figure out why you need the bike. Chances are, you’ll choose from one of four different types. Be sure to talk to a professional about each before making a decision. He or she will have a better idea of the needs each specific model can meet.

• Mountain: This bike’s perfect if you want to bike on rough, uneven surfaces (i.e., not pavement). The bouncy, wide tires absorb shock well, and the heavy frame provides more stability. It does all right on regular roads, but only for short distances.
• Road: Road bikes are much lighter than their mountain counterparts and have big, skinny tires that allow for faster speeds and longer distances. They’re perfect for city commuting, taking long bike trips, and fitness riding, and the handlebars (either drop-bar or flat-bar) are designed to move through traffic better.
• Lifestyle: A couple of bike types fall into this category. Cruisers have retro designs (think bright colors and big handlebars) and are good for quick rides. Comfort bikes let riders sit more upright and have padded seats. They’re often similar to mountain bikes or hybrids, but, like their name implies, modified for extra comfort.
• Hybrid: Hybrids have tall, skinny tires and tend to have lighter frames than comfort bikes. Like comforts, their handlebars let riders sit taller. They work well in city situations.

Get advice from a bike shop employee.

Employees are there to help you, not intimidate you; if you’re being disrespected or made to feel stupid for being a bike newbie, go to another shop. Ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable with a purchase. There are many things to consider, like the size of the bike, general maintenance, and necessary equipment, that you might not know about. A professional will help you choose the right size and show you how to adjust seat height for optimal riding, give you tips on maintaining and fixing your bike, and show you all of the essential accessories (helmet, headlight, rear reflector, bike lock, etc.).

Be prepared for a little sticker shock.

When I first looked into getting a new bike, I balked at some of the prices. Even the cheapest ones fell somewhere between $350 and $500. I considered getting a used bike instead, but as a beginning bike enthusiast, I realized that was a mistake. If you’re a newbie like me, I’d advise you to get a new bike as well. Other than the fact that bike technology’s constantly improving and newer bikes are generally built better, you get more out of them-warranty protection and access to bike shop specialists being two of the more important advantages. A used bike could come with mechanical problems that, as a beginner, you won’t know how to fix. You can get it on the cheap, but expect to pay more for tune-ups and repairs later.

As for bike-shop versus big-department-store shopping, consider this: bikes at bike shops are put together by skilled employees, whereas department-store bikes are put together by people who don’t necessarily know anything about bikes. As with used bikes, department stores are usually cheaper, but you also get what you pay for. But if that’s your only option, just do as much research as you can beforehand.

Take the bike for a road test.

So you’ve consulted a professional and found what you consider to be the best bike for you. Now comes the most important part: take it for a spin! Even if the bike’s perfect on paper, you won’t know how much you’ll like it until you hop on the seat and go around the block a few times. Don’t be afraid to ask the bike shop employees if you can test it out; it’s what they expect. Would you buy a car without driving it first? The bike is a means of transportation, too, so make sure you can ride it comfortably before buying.

Switching out the car or bus for a bike once in a while is beneficial in numerous ways. Not only can it improve your physical health and mental wellness, but it helps the environment as well. While it might seem like a costly investment up front, think of the money you’ll save on gas and bus fare in the future. Clearly, bikes do a lot more than take you from point A to point B. And by learning about bikes and the rules of the road before you get to that starting point, you’ll minimize any potential bumps along the way.

Article by Vicki Santillano for DivineCaroline. First published May 2010.

Related DivineCaroline posts:

• 2010′s Newest Green Cars
• Get a Retro Workout with Childhood Toys
• When it Comes to Running, Is Barefoot Better?

Image: xddorax

When a bike wheel builder friend of mine asked if I would like to attend an anniversary party for a local bike-related business, of course I said yes. In Portland, it’s never a good idea to turn down the opportunity to hang out with bike lovers and enjoy a few free drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the process.

But this was no regular bike throwdown; this was a full-on celebration of a commitment to better, more sustainable urban living. It was B-line’s one-year anniversary, and the people that came out to support this pedal powered delivery service were abuzz with positive energy.

B-line launched last year with the goal of partnering with businesses to take care of their urban delivery needs and, in turn, reduce the need for conventional trucks and vans. In the last 12 months, the company has certainly succeeded, pedaling over 6,000 miles to complete 3,000 deliveries. The results are pretty astonishing.

They’ve been able to reduce CO2 emissions by 11,000 pounds and they’ve helped delivered just about 191,000 pounds of organic produce; that’s on top of all the bread, coffee, tea and other things they pedal around town. As I listened to B-Line Founder and CEO Franklin Jones rattle off these statistics, I was impressed, not only because a pedal powered business is making it, but because they are making real change and influencing others to do the same.

It’s a common tendency to encourage people to “bike more, drive less,” but in cities without the necessary infrastructure to do so, making that choice is difficult. Granted, Portland is a city already known for its biking prowess, but with a company like B-line as a big local business player, the impetus for having better bike policies in grows even stronger. Case and point: Portland’s Mayor was invited to speak at this party.

Fewer trucks and vans on the road mean better streets for bikers and pedestrians, as well as less pollution. An increasing number of local businesses committed to using bike delivery shows their full-fledged support of cycling culture. That, in turn, equals less CO2 emissions and happier, healthier lifestyles, which benefits everyone in the urban community.

Cycling: It’s eco-friendly and good for your heart.

Even so, conventional bike fashion and gear has presented a road block from switching out four wheels for two as an alternative mode of transportation.

For the stylish set, those visions of unflattering spandex and cumbersome helmets don’t exactly make you want to hop on a bike to ride to that job interview or catch cocktails with the new flame. But an upswing in the popularity of biking means two-wheel fashion is climbing to new heights. The era of cycle chic is upon us!

Here are four ways to dress for sustainable cycling success:

1. Get inspired!

Start navigating the unlimited modern bike fashion waiting for you to explore. Think the Sartorialist on two wheels. Kick off with the blog that started it all, Copenhagen Cycle Chic. Then work your way through Vélo Vogue, Velo Couture and Riding Pretty. You’ll be putting together cycle-ready outfits and hopping on your two wheels before you know it.

2. Choose clothes that are giving and made with eco-friendly materials.

There’s nothing worse than riding around in tight clothes, no matter how good those skinny jeans look, so make sure what you’re wearing is soft and flexible. Go for options like merino wool, bamboo and organic cotton.

Organic cotton t-shirts from Cyclelogical celebrate the spirit of cycling with designs printed with reflective ink – perfect for making sure you’re being seen. And even though their products aren’t available in the US yet, UK-based company Cyclodelic has some designs that make cycling look like the next big thing on the catwalk.

Remember that cycling fashion isn’t just for the female market. Guys should check out Outlier, which specializes in tailored garments for city riding and makes many of the line’s beautiful pieces right in NYC.

3. Accessorize.

Let’s be honest, nothing is better than a fabulous-looking reusable bag, and in the bike world, their are plenty of well-designed, eco-friendly options. Rickshaw’s Zero Messenger Bag, designed to optimize cutting and eliminate material waste, is made from nylon, making it 100% recyclable.

And every beautiful, functional bike has to have a bike basket, or at least a rack back, to carry your goods in. There are some great designs by Basil, PoCampo and Design House Stockholm worth a peek.

4. Be safe.

Yes, helmet hair is annoying but when it comes to cycling, safety should certainly come first. Plus, with companies like Yakkay, it’s easy to make your helmet fit your style.

Photo Credits: tejvanphotos, Cyclelogical, Design House Stockholm, Yakkay

Like many other people, I’ve been thinking for a while now that it might be a good idea to ditch the car and get a bike. It has dual appeal. By biking to work, I can not only reduce my carbon footprint but also get fit without ever having to step foot in a gym. And of course, I’d be saving money on gas.

But the thought of having to go out and buy a bike has been holding me back. Until now, that is. I’ve just discovered the Montague SwissBike TX. It’s cute, it’s light weight and fits in a bag but has the performance capabilities of the Paratrooper (its military counterpart that was used by special forces operations during the invasion of Afghanistan). It’s yet another great portable biking option.

Storage is easy. At work, just fold it up and put it in a corner of the office. At home, it’s small enough to it in the closet. And for those days when you want to get out the city and explore the countryside, it easily fits into the back of the car. You can even take it on the train, the boat, and the plane, making it the perfect traveling companion.

What more could a girl (or guy) ask for?