Comments for Thinking About Cycling

Comment on Cycling Struggles – a summary by Dr. Robert Davis

Dr. Robert Davis — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:47:01 +0000

“normalising cycling requires the denormalisation of driving.”

That’s what I would suggest.

BTW, I don’t think cycling should just be urban – you. correctly in my view, talk about rural cycling a lot. Cycling and walking in rural areas is the big challenge for policy.

Comment on Cycling Struggles – a summary by Dave Horton

Dave Horton — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:33:23 +0000

Thanks very much Sam, much appreciated. And good luck with pushing cycling across Bristol. I’ll be watching with interest.
Best wishes
Dave

Comment on Cycling Struggles – a summary by samsaundersbristol

samsaundersbristol — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:27:03 +0000

Splendid summary. I find myself reflecting on my own transition (over decades) from celebrating my own deviant individuality to wanting cycling (and walking) to become more normal. I am happy to see my own children and grandchildren being able to take up cycling and reduce their dependency on cars as a mainstream activity, not because they are unusual.

The urgency of reconciling your two conversations is precisely what I sense in Bristol this year. The City is making a bid for Cycling Ambition money and a directly elected Mayor is pushing 20 mph speed limits and resident parking zones. An active Cycling Campaign is about to launch a detailed Manifesto and is canvassing for a city-wide network of cycle routes. There is a lot to play for.

High quality research work like yours helps by providing a vocabulary and some authority for those who need to make a positive case to so many different audiences and agencies.

Comment on Blossom by Mibicicleta

Mibicicleta — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:38 +0000

Don’t worry about me. I will survive!!!!!! ;D

It was more like a joke. Deep inside I love it! but I need a little bit of time to get used to that.

The day I can look around I’ll make a party!!!!!!

The best regards

Comment on Blossom by Dave Horton

Dave Horton — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:55:00 +0000

Sorry! I really appreciate how not everybody feels so comfortable and content on a bicycle as I do, and I’m aware that by telling stories of my own cycling I might sometimes come across as a bit smug. But that isn’t my intention – I certainly want cycling to become much easier and more obvious, so that many more people feel able and willing to do it; but at the same time I think it’s also important to show how versatile and life-enhancing cycling is and can be, so that we’re not merely aiming to increase cycling because it makes us more efficient and gets us to work or school on time! (Cycling should change the world, not make the present – radically imperfect – world more effective!)
You’ll be looking around, exploring and enjoying the world from the seat of your bicycle much sooner than ten years, honestly! Keep at it, make friends who encourage you and with whom to share adventures, and really, the world is your oyster (sorry, British expression which perhaps doesn’t translate? – the world will become yours to appreciate in a whole new way, because of your bicycle!).
Thanks very much for reading, and keep up your own writing (my Spanish is rather rusty, but I enjoyed what I understood!).
Saludos
Dave

Comment on Get Britain Cycling? by Dave Horton

Dave Horton — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:41:44 +0000

It’s at the end of the working day Stuart, from 5:30 to 7pm. I’m not sure on the venue; I’ll let you know when I know. Cheers, Dave

Comment on Get Britain Cycling? by Dave Horton

Dave Horton — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:38:18 +0000

Great comments Chris, with which I agree wholeheartedly. (Not sure whether Ian does, mind! But thanks for responding to him.)
All the best
Dave

Comment on Towards a Revolution in Cycling by Cycling Struggles – a summary | Thinking About Cycling

Cycling Struggles – a summary | Thinking About Cycling — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:48:41 +0000

[…] To conclude I’ll say things I’ve probably said before, here and also elsewhere – on Bike Hub and in Cycle magazine back in 2011, on The Guardian’s Bike Blog earlier this year, and with John Parkin in the concluding chapter to 2012’s Cycling and Sustainability. […]

Comment on Cycling struggles, 9 by Cycling Struggles – a summary | Thinking About Cycling

Cycling Struggles – a summary | Thinking About Cycling — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:48:29 +0000

[…] cyclists (Cycling Struggles, 9) are I suppose the kind of people we want everyone to become – willing and able to ride […]

Comment on Cycling struggles, 8 by Cycling Struggles – a summary | Thinking About Cycling

Cycling Struggles – a summary | Thinking About Cycling — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:48:27 +0000

[…] cycling in cities (Cycling Struggles, 8) is a margin of a margin. Cycling alone is difficult enough; encouraging children to cycle, and […]