By Andrew Firestone

This weekend at the Armory, the New England Bike Expo came home to the birthplace of bike innovation May 7 and 8.

With legendary frame makers Merlin, Fat City Cycles, Independent Fabrications, and Firefly Cycles coming up from the ‘Ville, it’s no surprise that the exposition hits the same week Somerville was awarded the title of “Bicycle Friendly Community” from the League of American Bicyclists.

“I think it’ll be interesting in the next couple years,” said Robinson Hill, the Expo’s founder. “Like this year alone they’re adding 12 miles of bike lanes.” Somerville is projected to have 30 miles of bike lanes by the end of next year, adding infrastructure to Mayor Joseph Curtatone’s overall hope of lowering air pollution and congestion in the City. “I think the trend is going to go way up,“ said Hill.

Aside from displays by Arc-En-Ciel and Folk Engineered with their cutting edge frames, there was also a presentation of Danielle Baskin, and her hand-painted helmets. “It’s sorta like furnishing your apartment. If you’re on a bike, you can create your own environment, you can be a character. It’s something else to customize. It’s like putting on an outfit,” said Baskin.