As we excitedly prepare for the upcoming Lifecycle Film, we are absolutely thrilled over the news that a Bike Share will be launching in New York City. This is wonderful progress that is sure to increase the momentum for bicycle culture in the city we love, making it a more celebrated, safe, and convenient transportation alternative for New Yorkers. 

The bike share will launch next summer with a planned 10,000 bikes at 600 stations around New York City (you can even suggest locations for the stations here). This form of a bike share has been hugely successful abroad and in U.S. cities like Boston and Washington D.C. and we are thrilled that New York City is following suit.

Especially when you consider that over 40% of urban travel is under 2 miles, biking is a cleaner, healthier, and more enjoyable transportation alternative. We commend the city for placing value on this and are so excited to see it become a reality. The Holstee HQ is jumping for joy, we <3 NY.

Thus, it is with great excitement that we announce a project that we are working on with our amazing and talented friends at Demonstrous Productions: The LIFE(cycle), a cinematic short of the Holstee Manifesto. The project will combine the bicycle lifestyle we love with the energy & values behind the Manifesto and we are so excited to be working with such a great team to put it together.

This is going to be an incredible video of epic proportions and we would love for you (and your bike!) to be a part of it. We will be filming around New York City on October 8th & 9th and you can sign up here to join us. Stay tuned for updates via the Life(cycle) page, spread the word, and get excited- this is going to rock. :)

Having lived in NY for nearly 4 years, I rode the subway multiple times a day across the entire city and all buroughs and my sentiments were often the exact same... why is there no eye contact? Why do people act like they're in their living room? Why do people push and shove without any hesitation? Why do people make other people uncomfortable? Why don't people show simple respect for others? Why do people act like they are the only one riding the subway? 

The truth of the matter is everyone is trying to make sense of it all in ways that matter to us and in ways that allow us to individually understand this game of life. Everyone is trying. Everyone is struggling. No one has it perfect. We are in this together. We are, on the subway, together. And on the subway, our individual thoughts and mannerisms and morals and styles and languages and backgrounds and values and perspectives and physical presence collide. And Luke captures the raw beauty and truth in that. 

We speak our understanding of life through our manifesto and wake up everyday to the challenge of living another honest day with ourselves. It's not easy by any means, but it's incredibly uplifting when you acknowledge and embrace and act in sync with the standards you set forth. Having those fall in line with people around you tho is often the greatest challenge.  

I tip my hat to Luke for speaking the truth and having the courage to engage NY subway riders as anyone who's riden the subway knows it's a different world down there. 

Last week, Holstee made it's debut in Gesamtkunstwerk (aka “WERK”) and we are thrilled to share the news! 

It's pronounced “guess-amt--koonst-verk,” which is German for “complete artwork." 

Opened recently by Alexandra Kuzyk and Lucia Vera, they created a super unique and cozy space that seemlessly integrates the experience of creating, sharing and discussing art. 

With a particular focus on local handmade goods, WERK is creating a strong sense of community amongst their artists and visitors, often serving as a workspace for the former and an opportunity of inspiration for the latter. 

Here they are featured in Time Out Magazine this past spring as the best new indie shop in New York City. 

Definitely swing by sooner than later as they are contantly showcasing different artists and pieces of work. 

We had a great time at the Hester Street Fair for the Zero Waste Weekend - thanks to all who came out! It was great to see so many great companies and young entrepreneurs promoting their new businesses! Especially so many green focused companies!

We were excited to be sitting next to the lovely folks at Sustainable NYC and the beautifully designed DBA biodegradable pens (more to come about them soon!).

The smoothie samples from XOOM juices were amazing!

Thanks for the photo Drew!

Alessandra Plasa co-owner of Via Nativa has found gems in the forests of Nicaragua.

Straw vs Gold is where the cool kids hang out. Not those mean girls from high school, or the douchey people you used to work with. These are the ones you trust unconditionally for advice on style, music, art, and events. The ones who you know will be the first to tell you about an obscure yet amazing Brooklyn band or a talented up-and-coming South African painter. The ones who are friends with the dopest people at the party, but will gladly introduce you. Straw vs Gold is a cultural location with no pretention or snobbery, a clubhouse for creative innovation in all its forms.

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