Cycling in Copenhagen

copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com is "about bicycle culture in Copenhagen, Denmark [where]. 35% of the population - 550,000 people - ride their bike to work or school each day."

"Perhaps we can inspire people in other countries to commute by bicycle or lobby for better bike conditions in their cities by providing a portrait of a city that lives and breathes bikes. At the very least, enjoy the view from our saddles."

They have a sister blog called Cycleliciousness - Copenhagen Bike Culture Blog - "less fashion and more stats and inspiration."

The City of Copenhagen biannual Cycle Policy Report (2006) finds that "73% of Copenhageners DON'T ride for recreation. The bike is not a hobby article used for recreation or excercise. It is transport."

It's a lovely change from the usual - "Such is the season here in Copenhagen. Long jackets, high boots, patterned bags and the everpresent wonky old Raleigh bike." Hop over and get a glimpse of cycling nirvana!

"Bicycle stopping at traffic junctions"

It was nice to read about his strategy. I do the same, for the same reasons. the thing to note is the thought process. Have reasons for your actions on the road.



"Bicycle stopping at traffic junctions," by arsonandarsenic. Arson and Arsenic, 26 Oct 2007.

Via One Less Car via Leafmonkey.

BBC's Top Gear: Get me to the airport in time (bus/tube, bike, car or boat?)

The British car television program Top Gear finds out the fastest way to get to the city airport through rush hour London - public transport, car, bicycle or speedboat?

Uploaded with Skitch!

In three parts on YouTube:







Thanks to Alvin Wong for the alert.

His take - it's crazy and hilarious; crazy Brits! Wonder what will happen in Singapore if someone tried the same thing - the cyclist will win if if was a short distance within city (must not have a highway component), and the boat will win to a downtown location close to the Singapore River. In an case, public transport sure lose (too many stops)!

Tampines pavement riding trial - "a half-baked idea?"

Popular Singapore blogger Lee Kin Mun better known as Mr Brown writes about his new ride and goes on to write about riding in Tampines, and ends up with some choice words about the pavement riding trial that began there in May 2007.

"...who came up with the dumb idea of those bike lanes alongside pedestrian walkways?

Bikes belong to the road, not the pavement.

There were so many Dismount and Push signs along the new Bicycle cum Pedestrian footpaths in Tampines, you may as well cycle on the road. If you ever tried to cycle at East Coast Park, you will understand how hard it is to avoid humans on pavements.

In fact, I felt more vulnerable at the crossings while riding on the path. You are better off teaching drivers to share the road with cyclists, and teaching cyclists to ride defensively and safely, than to give riders a false sense of safety on those pedestrian pavements. And if you want to give cyclists their space, do it on the road, with bike lanes, instead of footpaths."

Eventually, he says:

"I just want safer roads to ride on. Not half-baked ideas like the Tampines pavement cycling trial."

See "My new ride II: Specialized Hardrock Comp Disc 2006," by Lee Kin Mun. mrbrown.com, 01 Oct 2007.

Safer in Sydney: 50% increase in cyclists but death and injury numbers stable

"Safety argument against cycling doesn't travel," by Sunanda Creagh. Sydney Morning Herald, 08 Oct 2007.

Roads and Traffic Authority figures obtained by the Herald show that while the number of cyclists has jumped 50 per cent in the past three years, cyclist death and injury numbers have remained relatively stable over the past decade.

...

The chief executive of Bicycle NSW, Alex Unwin, said the figures showed motorists were becoming more aware of the approximately 3000 cyclists who rode into the city every day. "There would be other factors like the increase in off-road cycling paths, education programs and people riding together," he said.

"Cycle count data shows that commuters into the city has gone up by about 50 per cent in the last three years. This is on the back of improved infrastructure like the Anzac Bridge pathway, but petrol prices, health and greenhouse gas also contribute."

Bikes now outsell cars every year and enrolments for National Ride to Work Day on October 17 are up 300 per cent.

...

Thanks to John Larkin for the forward.

If I were the Transport Minister...

I will make Singapore a paradise for cyclist, pedestrian and motorist. But it's impossible, according to the usual logic: when you optimize the roads for cyclist, motorist will suffer. That is, if you allow the number of cars to grow beyond the roads can handle.

I was in Penang recently, judging from the number of cars there, I will assume Penang is now more "prosperous" than Singapore. My sister's 4 members family has 4 cars, because it is a necessity there. Poor public transport, unsafe road condition for cyclist, couple with cheap gasoline and zero down payment for new car purchase are all reasons which create the situation now. Penang is now more polluted, more noisy and the roads are more dangerous than before. Ironically, the traveling is not faster; heavy traffic jam makes travel time unpredictable. Every new car added into the system is making it worst.

To me this is an illustration of how things can go wrong when the transport policy try to satisfy the majority's aspiration of owning a car. Car is not just a transportation tool, it is also a powerful polluter. Even hybrid car can not avoid polluting the environment, it only shift the location from the road to the factory where the fuel is produced. And hybrid car also can kill just like a normal car can.

A better alternative will be to enhance the synergy between cycling and walking with public transports. Good examples like Holland, Denmark and Germany (now Paris) shows that this is desirable. If 30% of car drivers attracted to cycle/walk/bus/MRT, there will be sufficient space to provide beautiful cycling paths all over Singapore. A lot more people will find it attractive to cycle because it is safe, clean, convenient and fun. Roads will become safer, air become cleaner and elderly will be able to do marketing or visit their grand son on the other side of the road safely. When there are fewer cars on the road, the remaining drivers will find driving a lot more relax and enjoyable, only they have to pay the real price, considering the pollution factor.

You can also play the "Transport Minister" game here, make sure you check the "Do You Know?" button during the quiz:
http://transport2020.gov.sg/

Love Song for the Road Cyclist

There's so much hype about cycling on footpaths. Pedestrians and motorists alike complain about the position of the cyclist. Some errant motorists have even come out to publicly thrash that cyclists have no right-of-way on the roads. Thanks to their impatience, lack of education, lack of social grace and understanding, and absolute lack of human respect. I'm compelled to plead motorists to SHARE the roads with other road users - and this includes cyclists, pedestrians, and our mobility-challenged friends.

This song, sung to the tune of Elton John's 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word', was written by me while I was in a cab on my way back to the office.

SHARING SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD

What did I just do to make you honk me?
What did I just do to make you curse?
What do I do when drivers cut me,
when I get squeezed like I'm not there.

What do I do to make you want me?
What have I got to do to be heard?
What do I say when it gets ugly?
When SHARING seems to be the hardest word.

It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talk it over
Oh it seems to me
That SHARING seems to be the hardest word

What did I just do to make you honk me?
What have I got to do to be heard?
What can I do when drivers cut me?
What have I got to do?
What have I got to do?
When SHARING seems to be the hardest word.