Cycling Friendly Cities
This 16 minute video gets beneath the surface of cycling in a city and finds what I believe to be the soul of cycling: the sense of community fostered by getting people outdoors, face-to-face, and engaging one another politely.
City centers are about gathering places where people can meet, discuss, play, or simply watch. Cities that get people out of their cars do a better job of providing those spaces.
Watch and listen to an Urban Design Architect in Copenhagen, an Urban Planning Consultant in Amsterdam, and a past mayor of Bogota talk about why cycling-friendly means people-friendly.
Some points made:
- Even though the average wealth of a resident of the Netherlands is higher than that of the US citizen, a large number of those residents choose not to own a car. (Perhaps cars are not a good way to build wealth?)
- There isn't a "cyclist" type in the Netherlands. All people, young/old, rich/poor, janitor/executive ride bikes.
- A government's investment in cycling and pedestrian facilities strongly supports the equality of all citizens by avoiding automobile favoritism.
- Try to find an overweight person.
Commute Summary
Round Trip Distance: 22.9
Number of Cyclists seen: 20
In-bound Route: Lullwater/PATH
Out-bound Route: Grant Park and then Emory via Clifton
Weather: Humid and cloudy but warm
Labels: citycycling, pedestrians
posted by Jett @ 7:53 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
The thing is, you can't expect US cities to follow those in Europe in terms of cycling. Most European cities are older than American ones, with narrower streets that aren't conducive to driving. The cost of gasoline is much higher there.
I think things in Europe aren't so much bicycle friendly as automobile-unfriendly. The reality of the situation is, for the most part, it's more practical to drive here than it is there. And that is why we won't have the same sort of cycling-centric transportation system.
Most people will take the path of resistance. There, it's riding a bike. Here, it's driving a car.
Well, I can expect US cities to follow. Some of Atlanta's streets are being narrowed and our price of gas is coming in line with the true cost of burning those fuels.
Although there are automobile-unfriendly points brought out by the video, the reason I posted it was the number of points made about how nice it is to have cycling-centered facilities, what it brings to a community, and why cities have chosen to make that investment.
I completely agree that it's largely a matter of least resistance. What I'd like it to become is a matter of what builds the best and most satisfying community. It's a quality of life issue for me.
Quality of life is important -- and that may be the summary point of the video -- but what else but the bicycle addresses traffic congestion, obesity, class disparity, urban sprawl, and global warming all at the same time?
I completely agree about the quality of life issues. And of course, you're preaching to the choir ... I'm already sold on how the bicycle can address all of those points.
I'm just saying that it may not work to try to follow a model that may not apply here, because things are different. I think we need a different model -- not that I know what that model would be. Of course, it would make sense that it would include some cycling facilities. Good point.
But I think the most problematic differences are cultural. We have a culture of automobiles. People can't imagine living without their cars. I still have a car, but since I've been cycling again, I can now imagine living without it. I know I could get around just fine. That doesn't mean I intend to get rid of my car, but I drive less now, especially during peak hours. Which, I suspect, is when it makes the most difference in terms of congestion and global warming, but that's not why I do it. It also happens to be a fantastic time to ride a bicycle.
Yes, we are both choir members. I appreciate the discussion since it helps bring out points.
You've got a good point about the European model not working here. We do love our multi-lane streets, big cars, and cheap gas. Perhaps the model can't be borrowed, but the philosophy can. People do like gathering places and do appreciate a closed-off street party (I'm thinking both intown neighborhoods and sub-urban cul-de-sacs.)
Changing the culture is a slow process. Changing my immediate family's behavior has been a slow process. As you alluded to, there needs to be a more immediate reward for choosing the bike over the car. For me, it's just more fun to ride the bike, but I admit, even though I now ride about 100 miles/week, I still had to build up "cycling momentum".
Mountain biking in the Netherland also rules. I'd be so ready to move there if it weren't for winter and immigration hurdles.
The biggest problem in the US is the commute distance. In Europe, most people live very close to work. A matter of a couple of miles is the norm. In America, many travel 30 or more miles, usually alone in their car.
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