I came across this short programme produced for DCTV.ie (Dublin Community TV) on vimeo today. I thought it was an interesting idea to follow the Dublin City Council Cycle Officer – Ciaran Fallon to two other european cities, London and Amsterdam, to see how they are doing it.
The Pedal Project: Three Cycling Cities – From Dublin to London to Amsterdam from DCTV on Vimeo.
In London where they are currently building there cycle culture, however it is not there yet. Ciaran visited hackey in east london where cycling currently accounts for 19% of all trips in the area. Of note from Amsterdamn are the fact that there transport policy includes cycling in its hierarchy, which is as follows:
- Public Transport (Trams, Buses and Taxis)
- Cyclists and Pedestrians
- Private Transport (Car’s)
According to the founder of amsterdamize.com, a great website which celebrates Dutch cycling culture, the “worst way to promote cycling is by saying its green”. I have to agree with this strongly in that, making people feel like a bad person for not choosing to use the bike is a very bad way to encourage people to take it up.
One final thing, 40% of people in Dublin live within 5km of there place of work – thats two fifths of the city! I know Dublin is hilly and not as nice to cycle around as Amsterdam, but we have the potential to make a big dent in the model share and to get cycling back to being a big thing in Dublin. Remember you dont have to look like a tit with all your cycling gear! To leave you with the amsterdamize slogan:
“100% Lycra-Free, Guaranteed”
I wish Ciaran Nolan the best of luck in pushing this agenda in Dublin, all we need is some political support!
There is a website: www.dublincitycycling.ie/
Colin
These could be related:
