When a radio station like WTOP, that survives because its listeners are stuck in traffic, reports the increase in bike culture, and the loss of interest in cars, I consider that a sign that the world is righting itself.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/07/the-dramatic-30-year-decline-of-young-drivers-in-1-chart/260126/
http://wtop.com/world/2015/02/bike-boom-gets-boost-uk/
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27460021/denver-among-top-cities-using-technology-get-people
In Denmark they are starting the indoctrination early, establishing playgrounds for cycling kids to enjoy. We have BMX parks, but people drive to get there, kind of like they drive to spin class. Makes sense, right?
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-31146000
Does #cycling keep you younger? Indeed, but then again you knew that.
http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/cycling-keeps-you-younger-your-years?cid=socTN_20150206_40023656&adbid=563517716170932225&adbpl=tw&adbpr=17900130
The #Bikesvscars debate continues even after the launch of a film aptly named, Bikes vs. Cars, which looks at the unnecessary death of a cyclist at the hands of a motorist and issues about our transportation policies that hurt society in general and cyclists in particular.
http://vimeo.com/116966445
In London, the plan for a #bicyclesuperhighway is going forward. Amidst this progress, the taxi union leader appears to have become unglued. Or perhaps he was a madman in the first place. In opposing the bicycle superhighway -which will cause a headache for taxi drivers and a loss of income from fares - he has compared cyclists to ISIL. ISIL is a group that uses torture and terror to recruit. Cyclists considerably less so.
Credibility is apparently not his strong suit. On the other hand, some people do have a way of wearing that balaclava that suggests something dark and menacing.
http://www.businessinsider.com/london-bicycle-superhighways-2015-2
http://www.bicycling.com/ride-maps/featured-rides/london-add-four-new-cycling-superhighways?cid=socNews_20150207_40103646&adbid=z13ahrub1wypj3yzo04cctsbkoukc32izu00k&adbpl=gp&adbpr=114021379793531981404
In D.C., the #Bicyclespace pop-up appeared in a location that was a Burger King, home to deep fryers and junk food marketed to the young and poor. Is that a Bird of Hope? Yup.
http://elevationdcmedia.com/devnews/bicyclespace_020514.aspx
Meanwhile in Africa:
Did you know that a woman in Nigeria is turning trash into treasure in part by using bicycle carts to move the stuff around? She conceived of her company, #Wecyclers, while she was earning her MBA at MIT. Feel inferior right now? Me too.
http://www.fastcompany.com/section/my-way
And the World Bank reports that over 50% of the world's population knows how to ride a bike. This is a good thing.
So, if you are in that 50% that knows how to ride a bike, and I see you in the bike lane, let's be smug.
Elisa P.
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