North American Eyes on Copenhagen
Not much to say about this. Brilliant work from Clarence at StreetFilms.org.
Let his film inspire.
North American traffic planners and bicycle advocates talk about their impressions of the world's cycling capital: Copenhagen.
13 thinking out louds:
It just boggles my mind that anyone could see Copenhagen or Amsterdam and not think "wow, that looks really nice, I wish my city was more like that."
(that's more a comment on the general population than the people in the video, of course.)
Oh, we have such a long way to go! Most people love their cars still. It's a different frame of mind.
Amazing film & speakers!
We really do need a mandate for change from the top down in order to make this happen. So we've got to keep putting pressure on our political leaders.
Well, *some* parts of North America like Copenhagen. Other parts just don't get it at all:
http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=140818
This illustrates perfectly the "missing the big picture" scenario in the states. Mostly with politicians and urban planners. I think what we Americans miss most is the idea represented in Copenhagen that the cycling infrastructure is not really cycling infrastructure per se (in as much as there is really not a specific cycling culture)--it is just infrastructure that mobilizes a sophisticated cosmopolitan culture. Simple.
This is a great film. I am tired of our excuses.
Sweet!
I had a chance to speak to Clarence.
What an amazing guy...
This will change the world, slowly...
I'm shocked at the number of cyclists wearing helmets in this video. When I cycle toured the Netherlands a few years ago, I saw not one person wearing a helmet in any of the cities I cycled through. I expected Copenhagen to be the same. Looks like that helmet campaign is gaining ground. Pity.
veronica
I think one of the American planners captured it well at the end. They "just" have to take some space away from the cars to use for bike infrastructure.
When you have the public opinion with you, then that's easy. Unfortunately in some cities that is political suicide. Still it has to be done.
@Anonymous (Veronica)
My guess is that the people wearing helmets are out-of-towners in town for the conference.
Nice video.
I was thinking the same as Veronica, there. And found that lycra squad flying past toward the end so wacky. :-)
I was very upset at how many people (and not just small children being transported) were wearing helmets. Not a majority for sure, but about the same percentage as I see here in Montréal (where helmets are also in the minority, but where dedicated cycling facilities are also far behind yours). Nothing like Amsterdam where the damned things are almost unknown except on small children in tow and some tourists.
Glad Mikael and others are fighting this nonsense.
Regarding the helmets - I just completed a 400 mile bike tour over trails and roads, and I would never have done it without my helmet. One person took a bad fall and the helmet saved her from a head injury. The helmet split in half. Traumatic brain injury can prevent you from doing the simplest of life tasks - why risk it?
Nancy, perhaps you haven't noticed, but this post was not about long-distance touring under sometimes-rugged conditions. It is about people in a modern European city looking at how people do their daily travels by bicycle, mostly on dedicated cycle-lanes, and at relatively low speeds.
Unless you are just a helmet-bot who pops up automatically without even looking at what is being discussed.
Assuming you aren't, why not? Because your scaremongering stance discourages daily utilitarian cycling and contributes to serious worsening of the public health. Strokes caused by sedentary living are every bit as damaging to the brain as traumatic injury, and far, far more common.
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