Berlin's Plan to Become a City for Cyclists

Post by rconti » Thu, Dec 21, 2017, 5:56 AM UTC

aaron-lebo wrote: post #62

kazinator wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the cycling commute is flat, it has to be long to get decent exercise, because you have to apply a flat-out effort and you cover a lot of ground. If my bike commute were flat, I'd prefer to be some 14 miles from work rather than the current 7. Or else I would have to run it (more often). To me, what would make an area ideal for cycling (if it has good roads and such) is: dry climate. No rain, no snow.

7 miles isn't much on a bike, but anyone riding 14 miles 5 days a week should be in great shape. 14 mph is a decent clip, whereas 20 mph is constant exertion. I'd hate my commute to be a hour long both ways and at 14 miles, that's what the average person is going to hit.

Post by rconti » Thu, Dec 21, 2017, 5:58 AM UTC

RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #14

The cities mentioned as being great for cyclists are Copenhagen and Amersterdam, and now Berlin is trying. What is interesting is that the countries these cities are in Denmark, Netherlands, and Germany have fertility rates of 1.7, 1.7, 1.5 births/female [0]. In other words, people aren't having that many children. When transporting children, cars become a whole lot more convenient than bicycles. You don't have to wo…

Post by saryant » Thu, Dec 21, 2017, 6:05 AM UTC

SirLJ wrote: post #6

I hope they install a lot of showers...

Post by nihonde » Thu, Dec 21, 2017, 6:30 AM UTC

ekianjo wrote: post #49

nihonde wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anyone who lived in Japan knows about “mamachari” bikes, and a diminutive young mother with two kids and groceries on her bike. Not to mention all the senior citizens who ride everywhere as well. Electric-assist bikes, being able to ride on sidewalks or dedicated lanes, and safe parking help make it possible. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXnCu-KMdY

Poor example though. There is plenty of car traffic in Japan about everywhere, and parking yout bike is not free at all. And cyclists are super dangerous here, not respecting any rule on the road. I was almost hit by bikes going in the wrong direction several times. And mamachari riders are no exception. they speed up on the sidewalks without any regard for pedestrians.

Post by delackner » Thu, Dec 21, 2017, 6:44 AM UTC

_Codemonkeyism wrote: post #72

Berlin is a very bad place for cyclists right now. The governing SPD is a car maker party, always was and always will be. Working in Wedding near my work where the SPD governed since forever there is a bicycle lane on the pavement but unmarked for a decade with countless run ins with pedestrians. After doing nothing for 50 years there was a referendum and the SPD did a 180 and painted themselves as a cyclist party. S…