Chris Hamelin, whose bike chain snapped, was the best island performer when he accumulated a sixth and two seventh places in the Rookie 600 class.

BBC: Jersey's racers toil in Norfolk

It came down to who was feeling good and whose bike felt good underneath them and Melandri emerged as that guy from the word go.

BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Motorbikes | Melandri's back on track

Mr. Steely White, who cycled up to Barclays jauntily holding an open umbrella and riding a black matte Dutch commuter bike whose weight he estimated at about 50 pounds, said the valet service has been a hit in other bike-friendly locales.

WSJ: Barclays Pedals Bike Valet Service

For those who want to go Dutch, the ultimate inconspicuous (as in all black, no branding) rentals can be found at Bike City, whose mission is to "blend in with the locals".

BBC: Amsterdam on wheels

Critics, including a pair of local newspaper columnists, have taken special aim at DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, whose department has presided over a biking boom, including the building of more than 300 miles of on-street bike lanes.

WSJ: New PAC to Back Pedestrians, Bikes