Perhaps it's a bit of egotism since I'm Dutch-Canadian, but I must say that the Dutch know where it's at. They have the highest bicycle use in Europe with 27% of all trips made by bicycle. And it is much, much higher than the averages in North America which are in the 1-2% range.
Aside from China, The Netherlands has the most experience with creating a bike-centric culture. And it continues in The Netherlands, whereas, in China, leaders are sadly trying to "modernize" their cities (by making room for cars and shoving cyclists off certain main routes).
The powers that be in The Netherlands have produced a quite comprehensive 'brochure' called, Cycling in The Netherlands (pdf), after repeated calls from foreigners asking how the Dutch miracle came about. It's a very good read.
Consider it the bible of how to create a sustainable bike culture. (Except somehow they left out cargo bikes as a major new Dutch phenomenon.) Oh, unless you've got hills or mountains. In that case, you might want to consult some other bike friendly place like Portland or Vancouver.
Comments
Anonymous (not verified)
How to create a bicycle culture
Wed, 08/22/2007 - 14:46Hey Herb.
Haven't read the pdf yet, but I will. I promise. However, without having read it, I would offer this as one way to promote a cycling culture. I didn't notice it, or rather its absense, until I crossed from the Neatherlands into Belgium. And all of a sudden they had sprouted up everywhere, like mushrooms. Car adverts. Big huge billboards and bus shelters worth of car adverts. When I returned to the Neatherlands I then noticed the absence of car adverts. There just weren't any. Anywhere.
So how about we start building a cycling culture by banning car adverts, using the same logic/arguments used to ban cigarette adverts - 'cause they're bad for people, bad for the environment and because they kill.