Wytze's graduation project for Cannondale from Eelke D. on Vimeo.
After the war, life was hard in Europe. The Dutch created a bicycle utopia (video below) because so many of them had no other choice for transportation. They moved up from walking to a faster, more convenient means of transportation: cycling. We're trying to do the opposite when we propose a shift from cars back to a less complex and slower mode, cycling. I think such a shift will be fashion driven. People will cycle, not because it's good for them or "green" but because it's cool.
A tip of the helmet to David Hodge for this video.
I really do agree on your statements here! And that's what we should focus on, to get the majority to roll! And what a pretty bicycle :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, have you heard of Chris Carlsson from SanFran? (writing for sf.streetblog, chriscarlsson.com etc.) He was talking in Copenhagen yesterday, going to Oslo on Saturday, and then he'll be back in Copenhagen for COP15 in december. He had some interesting thoughts about how to get people to "fight for their rights" to bike...
tuvs,
ReplyDeleteI don't know Carlsson, but I will check him out. San Francisco is serious about building bike infrastructure, but at this point it's spotty: some neighborhoods are well served, while others are not.
As you know, I'm turned off by the critical mass approach. San Francisco has come close to real tragedy during a couple of these demonstrations.
We all know the health and environmental benefits, but to get people out of cars and onto bikes here, we'll need something with more sex appeal. Take a look at LETS GO RIDE A BIKE in my blog roll. At first glance, it may seem frivolous to focus so much on clothes and fancy bikes, but these women make cycling seem like fun. Even if you don't always agree with their approach to cycling, you can't help liking them for their enthusiasm.