HAVE BIKE WILL TRAVEL

In this paper, ideas presented at the velo city conference held in Copenhagen are discussed. Topics covered included: (1) facilities and safety; (2) attitudes to cycling; (3) traffic restriction measures; and (4) cycling provision in third world countries. Factors to consider in the planning of cycleways were given as: (a) one way design; (B) provision for bus stops; and (c) the need for clear design features especially upon crossing minor side roads. An alternative solution was presented as introducing an urban speed limit of 30 kph, to reduce traffic accidents involving cyclists, and to have a better cyclist traffic mix. The workshop on attitudes towards cycling, highlighted the reasons why people cycle, as a cheap, convenient mode of transport, and form of exercise. Reasons for not cycling were given as, living in areas of fast or dense traffic, or living in hilly or wet areas, or a view that cycling was socially unacceptable. To counter these negative aspects, segregated routes, safe parking, developed cycleway networks were suggested and positive discrimination measures proposed. Government attitudes also affect promotion of cycle use: of eleven countries recently surveyed, only Denmark and Sweden positively promoted cycling.