An interesting article in the Times recently suggested that town planners were going to combat the UK’s obesity problem by building new towns with more cycle paths and outdoor recreational spaces. The theory seems to run: “this is how towns are designed in Holland, they all cycle and they aren’t as overweight so let’s do the same here”.
Now I’m up for anything that gets more people on a bike and Holland and Denmark are two countries that despite having similarly inclement weather to Britain get far more people on two wheels. Is the way that their towns are designed the cause of this? I somehow doubt it’s as simple as that.
The plan reminded me of the social housing projects of the 1960’s which seem to have singularly failed resulting in sink estates that are havens for despair. Has British society evolved enough yet to place the bike, if not at the heart of its culture, then at the heart of its transportation? I think that the answer is no. The lives of the average Brit are just don’t consider using a bike in favour of the precious, status defining car. Sure there are urban havens where it’s easy to give up owning a car in favour of a bike, but when you get out into the provinces, cycle facilities and bike-friendly public transport get thin on the ground.
The only way for such a town to work would be for cycling to become an integral aspect of people’s lives then build a town around that desire to cycle rather than planners forcing people to cycle. As the article says, lifestyle, food consumption, sedentary office work are all factors in Britain’s obesity problem.
I have fond memories of an exchange programme that my swimming club did years ago. I stayed with a Dutch family who didn’t own a car, only bikes. One night there was a disco and to get there I remember the mother giving me a lift on her bike – me sitting side-saddle on the rear rack. I think that was the last time I had a “backie”.
2 comments:
I like your blog by the way! Keep it up.
In Kent we have some cycle paths, but people don't often use them (unless in country places at weekends). On weekdays, they're pretty empty. Housewives drive to town instead and you never see any on weekday cycle paths (unless you hallucinate!). They're armed with excuses like they have to time. They're quite happy eating burgers all the time (thinking they won't have heart attacks) and 'pretending it doesn't happen'. Cyclists in Kent are, provincially, regarded as 'poor housewives, unemployed men and students' not people who regard it as a life style choice, perhaps due to their Tory politics! Old people have posh cars too, and it's rare you see an old person on a bike.. now and old person in charge of a car at 100 years, yes, that does happen, my aunt was drivign at that age. Also people here are lazy and I think it is 'catching' The trick I think is to make cycling fashionable (ie clothing). Forcing people to get on their bikes, is a way of making them use their cars even more.
Cyclepod
Cyclepod,
Interesting perspective...I am across the pond from you, but have progeny in Leeds. To my great delight he asked dear old dad to help him find a suitable cycle to commute from his flat to the "Uni". The UK seems to suffer from many of the same excuses that plague the US of A. I rode a bicycle to work for over 7 years (one of Nottingham's finest BTW ;-) ) I suspect as oil prices and fuel continue to rise it will become more acceptable to ride.
Aaron
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