Earlier this week, The New York Times covered a new fad taking root in Richmond Hill, Queens. Teenagers are modifying bikes to rival cars with booming sound systems. Young men of Guyanese and Trinidadian decent are building these contraptions to look similar to what they've seen in their home countries. They say they are better than cars because, "you don't have to roll down the window." They have an even smaller environmental footprint than a Prius, and a WAY better sound system.

Unfortunately, the sound system doesn't run on pedal-power, it runs on car batteries. Maybe that will make the next round of designs.

I've been quoted saying that I believe the greening of the music industry will have reached critical mass heights when I see a wide-spread greening of the hip hop movement (a movement characterized by luxury and excessive levels of consumption). Less Escalades and more Teslas, less bling and more understanding of the human rights issues surrounding diamond excavation.... In the meantime, maybe these bikes are a good first step?

Photo credit: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times /// Click here to see more pictures

Labels: bicycles, hip hop, New York Times, sarah