[Cheiron]

As Copenhagen being my native town, I have to comment on this... first... a view from a tower overlooking some of the old churches etc in center of copenhagen, the city is famous for all the spire towers we have in the city, even on plain buildings



[photo by me on a nice summer day from a 17th century tower]


Copenhagen has been declared one of the worlds best bicycle capitals by Treehugger.com (an american online magazine and one of the most read opinionmakers about environmental stuff world wide !)

Since the 1960's Copenhagen has been focusing on getting our beautiful capital friendly to bicycles, making bicycle lanes everywhere possible... and that shows now. Half of city dwellers take the bicycle to work. It is good in many ways... people get healthier, and society and environment benefit from people jumping on the bike in the morning, instead of taking the car and sit in big pileups on the roads burning fossile fuels.

They now try to make it even more friendly, by banning cars from some of main streets here making child friendly school routes etc, From a heavy cargo perspective I think they are going too far sometimes, cause it will create logistical problems... but well I dodged the cars from early childhood on my bike so.... I am a pro at that and just need a few centimeters space soaring through traffic

Claus Bondam (Technical and Environmental mayor of Copenhagen) says:

"In Copenhagen we rarely think about it... We get up, take a shower, eat breakfast and get on the bike when we have to get to work. But this thing with using the bike is quite unique if you look at other capitals in the world. It is a sustainable transportation method and gives a high life quality for the individual in the long run."
He also says that being chosen as bicycle capital of the world is a pat on the shoulder to the city planners here.

........

Well what can I say... I am a proud dane

I have drivers licence for both car and motorcycle... but never used it much. I have my bike !...

But of course in other scenarios distances are too far for just using a bike, my limit I think is when I made a 40 miles trip to my uncles summercottage... (that is 40 miles each way... and getting home after a long day with beer and wine and good food... geez, I was ready for bed ! ... not to mention my butt seemed to be on fire when going there lol)

One thing I would like though: A Brompton foldable bike.... now that is a great bike !....that you can fold up and take with you on bus and trains and it is handcrafted english stuff, real quality bike and the touring model can fit a load of package on it, they are renowned for being just as good going as regular bikes... that would considerably widen my range of bike-based transportation.


For bike lovers, drool over this website:

http://www.brompton.co.uk/

So ... I am oiling the bike chain, fixing the brakes, cleaning it, getting out in the danish summer for new adventures... and ... I suggest you get on your bike too.
_________________
Cheiron
______________________________
"Any scientist with respect for himself should start
the day by rejecting his own pet hypotheses".
(Konrad Lorenz)

"Wir müssen wissen
Wir werden wissen"
(David Hilbert)