'Cycling' is sport and recreation. 'Riding a bike' is everyday activity. No sweat. As easy as walking, but faster. #wheeledpedestrian
Auckland
Joined April 2011
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This account is no longer active. But feel free to continue the conversation at @MarkBracey. wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
Building political will requires different skills. wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
Back living in NZ for a month. Thoughts on Auckland’s urban environment:
1) roads are too wide, footpaths narrow & cycle-paths almost nonexistent
2) given the above, amazing how many pedestrians & cyclists there are
3) safer streets require political will, not loads of cash.
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The "wear a helmet" message makes sense but it also ignores so much. HInt - safe streets. (I wish you a speedy recovery). wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
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But if you are going to advocate, please be aware that you are dealing with an ingrained culture that supports and promotes the transport status quo. wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
We don’t call people who drive to work every day “keen motorists”.
We don’t think everyone with shoes speaks and acts on behalf of the “walking community”.
We don’t expect transit users to lobby for safe and expedient travel.
So why is it different for anyone who rides a bike?
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Why? Because it's about behaviour change, and while cycleways are a critical piece in the puzzle there are also other pieces. I still have trouble understanding why this is not obvious. wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
Uncovering the real cost of motoring. odt.co.nz/opinion/time-exami…
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We are told that to get investment in cycling we need political will. I am saying that to get political will we need to present riding a bicycle as something that politicians will vote for. Less special interest. More inclusive.
As @wheeledped says, “Cycling is sport & recreation. Riding a bike is everyday activity. Just like walking, but faster. No sweat.”
Something that UK’s @cycletoworkday could consider promoting too, no need for special clothing & kit. It would attract a wider audience 🚲👍🏼😊
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Will we look back and see Covid-19 as the Black Swan event that jumped started the city cycling revolution? rnz.co.nz/news/national/4140…
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An opportunity to temporarily reallocate road space from cars to people on foot and on cycles (and eventually become permanent). theguardian.com/world/2020/a…
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The silver lining is in the behaviour change that is currently in evidence. This may be the best chance ever to grow the necessary political will to reallocate road space. wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
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With reference to this framework, it's worth reflecting on 1. how your city cycling experience has improved since the significant reduction in traffic volumes. 2. the perpetuating of messaging that is not evidence-based.
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"Make it safe and pleasant, and they will come". Note: Solutions may include separated bike paths. wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
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Wheeled Pedestrian retweeted
Because they are designed by and for adult men, transport networks largely favour the long distance, single-purpose work commute.
To become more equitable—for all ages, genders and incomes—they must start prioritizing short distance, multi-purpose trips.
mobycon.com/updates/five-way… – at Delft, Nederland
Wheeled Pedestrian retweeted
Many assume we moved to the Netherlands because of the cycling.
But it was really the “low car” cities that drew us; places that offer equal access to opportunity and quality of life for residents of all ages.
Our appearance on the @Livable_City podcast: livablecity.co/episode-12-ch…
It's even possible to identify the time and events that were the catalyst for the shift from cycling as a utility activity to becoming the sports/recreation activity that it is now.
As @wheeledped says, “cycling is sport & recreation, riding a bike is everyday activity. Just like walking, but faster. No sweat”
wheeledpedestrian.wordpress.…
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I suggest that work needs to be done on addressing that reality. It's not about how you choose to ride, it's just that the public perception of cycling is one that deems it inappropriate - in a culture that views driving as normative and desirable.
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