The other day I noticed that one of my neighbourhood’s cafes – The Wilder Snail (799 Keefer at Hawks) – had removed one of its tables and installed a pair of what appeared to be highly specialized stationary exer-cycles in its place, presumably to keep some of our more active coffee-sipping neighbours in the shape to which they’ve grown accustomed. But word has it that the bikes are in fact a collaborative work in progress by proprietor Boyd Thomson and the inspired engineers out at eatART. Before they’re completed, each “bike” will be outfitted with a pedal-powered outlet so those looking to charge laptops or cell-phones will thereafter be able to generate their own off-grid electricity. How awesome is that? Expect to see the project finished and generating more than just buzz at some point this summer.

EVERYTHING SEEN IN VANCOUVER