Our world is built up of roads and cars to get us to our destination! But what about cycling and even walking? Have we been brainwashed to think that the car is always king? Si goes on a deep dive into just how we are convinced to think that modern car culture is acceptable in our lives!
From MomentumMag.com
When some people think of freedom on the road, cars are often the first thing to come to mind. Yet, bicycles have quietly become the true liberators, offering a unique sense of independence and joy that cars can only dream of.
It starts when we are just children. Riding a bicycle was my ticket to paradise as a youth growing up in a suburban neighborhood. No need to get driven anywhere, all I needed was a bicycle and I could start exploring further and further afield. My world grew exponentially. And it just hasn’t stopped.
Car manufacturers talk a big game. But the reality is that cars and a car-centric lifestyle are expensive, unhealthy, disastrous for the environment and just not cool.
Here are 10 ways bicycles deliver the freedom that cars promise but never deliver.
We’ve all been there. There are relatively few wins while commuting by bicycle in a seemingly hostile urban environment. But gliding past a sea of bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour is pretty great. Bicycles give you that dream every day. While car drivers are stuck idling, stewing in their own frustrations and wasting gas, cyclists zip past on dedicated bike lanes or the side of the road, breezing past the gridlock. Bicycles can actually move as swiftly or even faster than cars in cities, especially during rush hour and under five kilometres. It has been found that bike lanes can actually reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for everyone.
From MomentumMag.com
The concept of a 15-minute city is gaining popularity as urban planners and policymakers seek to create more livable, sustainable cities. One key element of this vision is promoting cycling as a means of transportation. By making it easy and safe to bike around town, cities can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
The origins of the 15-minute city can be traced back to the work of renowned urban planner and architect Carlos Moreno. In 2016, Moreno introduced the concept as a way to reimagine urban living and tackle the negative impacts of urban sprawl. The idea gained further attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the importance of local amenities and accessible services became increasingly evident.
Several cities around the world have embraced the 15-minute city concept and are working towards implementing its principles. Paris, France, under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, has been at the forefront of this movement, aiming to transform the city into a collection of interconnected neighborhoods where residents can find everything they need within a short distance. Paris has achieved nothing short of revolutionary change, with the bicycle firmly at the centre.
There is no question that bicycles can not only help but are essential to create a 15-minute city. Here’s why.
A 15-minute city is a concept where everything a person needs for their daily life is within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home. This includes access to basic services such as grocery stores, schools, healthcare facilities, and public transportation.
The idea is to create more livable, sustainable cities where people can easily access the resources they need without relying on cars or other forms of transportation. By promoting cycling as a means of transportation, cities can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash
From MomentumMag.com
In recent years, the notion of the ’15-Minute City’ has emerged as a hopeful idea for urban planners and residents alike, offering a vision of cities that are not only more sustainable but also more livable and accessible. At its core, the concept is elegantly simple: design cities where everything essential to daily life—work, education, recreation, and more—is within a 15-minute reach by walking, biking, or public transit.
Originating from the visionary mind of Paris-based urbanist Carlos Moreno, the 15-minute city embodies the ideal neighborhood where every necessity, from employment to cultural activities, is conveniently close. Paris, under the stewardship of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, has embraced this concept wholeheartedly, setting a shining example for cities worldwide.
While various transportation modes contribute to the realization of the 15-minute city, bicycles stand out as particularly conducive to its principles. Here’s how:
Bicycles offer a swift and efficient means of transportation, especially for short to medium distances. With dedicated bike lanes and routes, cyclists can navigate through urban landscapes with ease, sidestepping traffic congestion and reaching their destinations swiftly—perfect for the ethos of a 15-minute city.
Photo by Maksim Chernishev on Unsplash
From MomentumMag.com
From LATimes.com
MICHAEL CHARBONEAU
In our car-choked, freeway-stitched metropolis, this might sound strange or possibly absurd, but it’s something I believe to be true: Los Angeles is an amazing place to ride a bike.
Yes, there’s lots of evidence to the contrary. In 2022, L.A. reached a grim milestone — 312 people died in traffic collisions, including 20 cyclists. Wide arterial roads filled with speeding vehicles crisscross the city, creating a dangerous environment for people on bikes. And despite much fanfare, L.A.’s proposed citywide network of bike lanes and paths remains largely just an idea on paper (though a proposed ballot measurecould change that).
L.A. is far from perfect. But if you look beyond the bad news, the City of Angels has so much to offer cyclists. From nearly ideal year-round weather to an abundance of terrain options for riding, the city stands out for many reasons, but none is more important than the incredible community of cyclists who live and pedal in L.A.
Don’t believe me? Spend some time in the city’s bike shops.
“I’ve been riding bikes in Los Angeles for almost 20 years now,” says Kyle Kelley, co-owner of Allez LA bike shop in Highland Park. “I’ve never gone anywhere and felt the love that I feel with the bicycle community here.”
From SoCalCycling.com
Embarking on a journey astride a bicycle not only connects us to the world around us but also unveils the vulnerability we face on the open road. The sense of liberation can, unfortunately, be accompanied by the lurking danger of accidents. Recognizing the intricacies behind bicycle accidents is pivotal for any cyclist, and the art of self-preservation becomes paramount. This comprehensive exploration delves into the multifaceted reasons contributing to bicycle accidents, coupled with practical strategies for safeguarding oneself against these perils.
The pervasive lack of visibility stands as a formidable adversary for cyclists, often propelling them into situations where their presence is easily overshadowed by larger vehicles. Intersections and lane changes become treacherous grounds, where cyclists risk collision due to their diminutive profile. Combatting this hazard involves a multifaceted approach. Equipping oneself with high-visibility clothing and accessories, such as reflective vests and blinking lights, becomes a visual assertion demanding attention. Moreover, strategic route planning that favors well-lit pathways and a conscientious awareness of blind spots are essential practices in minimizing the risks posed by inadequate visibility.
Reckless driving behaviors, such as disregarding traffic signals or exceeding speed limits, are catalysts for accidents involving bicycles. To ensure personal safety, cyclists must adhere rigorously to traffic rules, offering predictability to their motorized counterparts. In California, the “Three Feet for Safety Act” dictates that vehicles must maintain a minimum distance of three feet when overtaking cyclists, exemplifying how legislation aims to safeguard cyclists from reckless driving behaviors. In case of an unfortunate accident, working with reliable can help cyclists navigate the legal complexities and secure their rights. However, preventing such accidents requires a shared responsibility, where all road users must uphold their civic duty in promoting road safety.
Photo by Ian Valerio on Unsplash
Coming up this week we have a very interesting new saddle, some Zwift Academy news, a new leaver design from Sram, comment of the week, the bike vault, and of course our main talking. This week we are discussing what we think makes the perfect bike?!
From Road.cc
With the current cost of fuel and the omnipresent risk of wasting time sitting in rush hour traffic, you might be considering commuting to work by bike. We’ll presume you’ve already got the job to commute to, so now you need the bike for the job! That can be a bit of a minefield, so with the help of Trek’s FX range(link is external), here’s a look at some typical steeds that are ideal for the commute, and some top tips to get you on your way.
For many of us, with the right preparation commuting by bike is not only pretty easy, but also a more enjoyable and sustainable way to travel to work. It offers numerous benefits for your health and finances, and may even mean you can stay in bed a little bit longer.
Commuting by bike is a great way to get out in the fresh air and maybe even contribute to maintaining your fitness. Another positive of commuting by bike is that you can generally get closer to the office than in a car. There’s not many people who like sitting in traffic and trying to find parking spaces in tight town centre car parks, not to mention that parking isn’t free for most of us.
The growing network of cycling infrastructure that’s popping up in cities is also making it easier than ever to commute by bike. To help you find the best bike for your commuting duties, we’ve got our hands on Trek’s FX range. This also happens to be the American brand’s best-selling range.
Photo by Mark Stosberg on Unsplash
From BeverlyPress.com
Beverly Hills bicyclists might one day have a new way of traveling to West Hollywood, as staff prepares to install bike lanes on Beverly Boulevard that could connect to the neighboring city, transportation planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter said.
City officials will provide more details about the proposed bike lanes during a Traffic and Parking Commission meeting on Sept. 7, and residents are encouraged to give their thoughts in person or by contacting the city at askpw@beverlyhills.org.
The Beverly Boulevard bike lanes were identified in the city’s 2021 Complete Streets Plan because they connect to existing bikeways on North Santa Monica Boulevard and North Palm Drive, and because the street does not have existing parking spaces, meaning that the lanes will not reduce parking, Carpenter said.
Also, the city of West Hollywood is planning to install its own bike lanes on Beverly Boulevard, creating a new link between the two cities, Carpenter said. Beverly Hills is also working to close a “short gap” of bike lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard that would create another inter-city bikeway.
West Hollywood officials approved a contract for a feasibility study on expanding bike lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Beverly Hills officials have been soliciting public input on the bikeway expansions for months, and so far, the feedback has been positive, Carpenter said.
“What we’ve heard so far is a lot of support for the project because it closes that gap in the network,” Carpenter added. “There is no on-street parking on this segment … so it doesn’t remove any street parking. All it does is narrow traveling to provide a dedicated bike way.”
