What's Happening in Buffalo, NY…

A new concept is taking off in Buffalo, where freezing cold winters and lots of snow are the norm.

Lisa Florczak, a Buffalo entrepreneur and founder of Ice Bikes of Buffalo, has come up with an idea that is catching on not only locally, but in other cities that have extremely cold winters.

Florczak's family runs the Water Bikes of Buffalo business, and rents pontoon bikes to patrons. The bikes allow riders to pedal down the Buffalo River in the summer. They were enjoying some success when the city's economic development department asked for ideas to enhance the ice rink being built on a recreation of the world-famous Erie Canal. Officials said they thought the rink was going to be very popular, but it might benefit from offering more than just skating.

With that in mind, Florczak came up with the idea of bikes that can be ridden on ice. The contraptions are basically bicycles on ice skates. They were available the day the new rink opened, and were an instant hit, with riders bundled up against the cold as they rode the new ice bikes across the rink. Their success prompted the enquiries from other cities.

Florczak might work with brochure printers to create a booklet about the ice bikes, which she can supply to those who request further information.