Following up on statistics presented in the previous post, that 40% of working citizens in Bergen live within 5 km of their place of work, comes an inspiring motion picture segment from our often more progressive friends to the east. Leave it to Sweden (the left ear on which we perch our reflective coated designer sunglasses, the right ear being our oilwells in the North Sea). With 4 % of total trips (not just travelling to work) in Bergen being made by bicycle we have a ways to go in terms of the populations perception of an acceptable distance to travel by bicycle. I have often challenged friends and family to the 5 km rule. If your destination is within 5 kilometers, challenge the notion that using your bicycle is the most efficient means of transportation considering time consumption, cost and overall enjoyment of the journey. The bicycle always wins, or at least it should. Again we are back to potentially discussing various barriers you or people you know may have to choosing your two wheeled wonder machine. Lack of bicycle friendly infrastructure and lack of basic cycling knowledge (the machine itself, clothing choice, dealing with weather etc.). Take back the road you were meant to occupy and take small steps in increasing your knowledge and threshold for how and when you feel you can choose the bicycle. Better yet, follow this space for tips on how and where to ride in Bergen town. If cycling is going to gain a solid foothold in this city we must show those in charge of currently crippling bicycle friendliness that bicycles are here to stay and in a big way. Challenge the 5 km rule, take back the streets and follow this blog!
No ridiculous car trips from Martin Lang on Vimeo.
No comments:
Post a Comment