I came across a piece from last year on why this person loves living in Hamburg, Germany.
LINK
Here is #1:
"1. Put on your walking shoes and your cycling pants. Walking and biking are such a huge part of the culture here that you have a sort of daily built in exercise system. I love that Europe is set up so much better for transit and walking and cycling in general. I mean, sometimes I get a little annoyed by the endless number of cyclists that almost run me down on a daily basis, but hey, they’re out there biking, they’re doing it! I applaude you! But really….I know you’re sophisticated and European and all, but shouldn’t you be wearing a helmet? Just a suggestion."
Hamburg might not be the best cycling city in Germany, but what is this obsession from non-cycling Canadians to tell those who do ride to wear a helmet?
It sounds more like she, as a pedestrian should be wearing the helmet, since she believes she is in danger from cyclists.
Heh, we north americans will set them right! Hmm, I've not visited Hamburg, but I kinda want to go more now that I've read that.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you saw @copenhagenize's tweet this morning. What they *really* need there is the Walkodile. I love the Wiki page for it, several pages of criticism of the victim blaming culture it's based on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkodile
Hamburg really interests me. I read often how bike friendly the city is, but then when I hear from those who actually cycle there, they say it's nothing short of crap.
ReplyDeleteMost 'bike lanes' are splitting the sidewalk. In the winter snow is not cleared.
In the summer (and this is probably her complaint about being hit), pedestrians tend to walk or wander in the bike lane.
I do believe I need a helmet while on the computer. Seeing things like the Walkodile makes me smack my head against my desk.
Of course it doesn't appear much different then what I see every now and then here. Kids tied up with "kid leashes".