bicycles can save the world

So the name of this blog is a bit tongue in cheek, but this reblogged article from Pink Bike shows that they still can.

Giant bicycles has stepped in with some aid in the form of 1000 bicycles for Japan’s earthquake relief crews and workers.

Giant Bicycle has donated 1000 units of a special ‘Emergency Edition’ hardtail mountain-bike specifically designed to assist emergency crews involved with the recent Japan earthquake disaster. These unique bikes will be used by local emergency organizations and volunteers to navigate rough terrain and damaged roadways that are no longer accessible by vehicles. The bike itself is a limited production model based off of the Giant Rock series of mountain bikes, and is aptly named the “Special Edition Quake Reconstruction” model.

To better highlight its emergency usage, the framesets are painted in high-visibility yellow with emergency red branding, and carries the logo “Emergency Reconstruction Assistance” on the seattube. Each bike will be delivered fully-assembled and will come equipped with useful safety features that include front suspension, 26-inch off-road tires, rear luggage rack, and front headlight. Immediately after the earthquake, Giant altered its standard manufacturing schedules to accommodate immediate production of the unique bicycles. Delivery to the affected regions is expected to take place by late April.

Haters will hate, as always, and say ‘only 1000′ or ‘they’re only doing it for press’ (which even if so ignores the gain that’s being made), but I say every little bit helps.