GreenTech Geek: Montreal on my Mind

I've been riding around Montreal for the past week on this,
loaned to me by a super nice Québécois artist. Look at the
cool two-way, separated bike lanes they have.

One thing you'll learn if you stick with this column is that the GreenTech Geek is a pretty avid traveller. For adventure, to meet new people, to gain new perspectives, for work, for fun.

For the purposes of this column, I like to take note of clever things other communities are doing in the way of sustainability and technology -- and often both together. I'll offer some of these observations up here as food for thought, in the hope that maybe we can find ways -- and the willpower -- to implement some of them in our own communities.

I'm wrapping up a week-long vacation in one of my favorite cities in the world: Montreal. It's been quite an adventure, and what I've experienced here will fuel more than one future GreenTech Geek column. 

So stay tuned for that, and let me get back to enjoying my last couple days in Montreal. But I'll leave you with a little tidbit.

Find out what, after the jump...

This is a three-wheeled electric cargo bicycle with a produce stand built into it. I saw it yesterday at the Tam Tams, a Brazilian drumming festival that takes place on summer Sundays at a big park in Montreal.

My friend in Montreal and partner in sustainability, Cameron, informed that this is known as a "Fruixi" bike. It's part of a pilot project to sell fresh fruits and vegetables with electric bicycles, with the goals of creating "a place of socialization, social integration, and exchange affecting healthy lifestyles and local agriculture." More information at www.fruixi.com.

Basically, it takes produce from local organic farms on the road, out into communities and popular gathering spots, in a fun and interesting way. Bringing the good stuff to where people are, rather than forcing people to always make a trip to a farmer's market.

It's sort of taking a page out of the food truck phenomenon, but adapting it to healthy produce.

I think it would be wonderful to see Fruixi bikes blossom in San Diego. Might be a nice summer project to get it going in my city by the sea.

Stay tuned for more observations from Montreal ... once I'm done having fun here. :)

Until next week ...

Posted in: electric bikes,electronics,GreenTech Geek,Montreal,Quebec,sustainability,Tech,technology