Copenhagenize on DC

DC Bicycle Infrastructure, originally uploaded by [Zakkalicious / Mikael].

Since Mikael Colville-Andersen was here in DC a couple of weeks ago to talk about Copenhagen bike culture he took time to ride around town and offered up some thoughts on cycling in DC.

Let's forget also for a moment the fact that many of the two-wheeled citizens have yet to master the infrastructure and instead choose to dance precariously all over the shop with little regard for the motorists or pedestrians. [although after my visit to NYC, DC seemed as calm and relaxed as a Greek island village].

The importance of creating not only space but a graphic design language that cements the bicycle as an accepted, respected and equal form of transport. Beacons flashing staccato signals of light that give hope that a safe harbour is within reach before long.

The city has a daunting journey ahead of it but there are clear and present signs that it is on the right [cycle] track. My experience cycling around the city was that it was less intuitive than, say, Paris, but lightyears ahead of New York. It was actually enjoyable, whether I was on a preferred bicycle lane or not.

You can see a photo of occasional WashCycle contributor Jeff Peel (from behind) if you follow the top link.

He also wrote glowingly about the Union Station Bike Station, but I was surprised so many commenters thought it was ugly. Most people I've heard from think it looks great. Expensive, not ugly, is the usual complaint of choice.

It's a useful and practical addition to the city but it's much, much more than that. Firstly, it's an eye-catching design. A little architectural monument. It sends many more signals than "see, I'm a pretty, modern building!" It sends signals to the city at large that the bicycle isn't really going anywhere. That the people riding bicycles you're seeing around town are here to stay. There may even be more on the way. Get used to it.

Comments

[MB]

Now *there's* an annoyance I can transfer easily from driver to cyclist - cellphone use in traffic.

[guez]

I suspect that the cellphone is deliberate provocation on the part of Mikael. He would probably argue that it heralds the bicycle's integration into "everyday life"—like the absence of a helmet, and the fact that the bike is a "practical" (yet possibly quite expensive) Dutch/Danish-style bike.

[Jonathan Krall]

Responding to guez, it is a sad fact that inexpensive practical bikes are few and far between in the US. The only one I really (sort of) like is the Breezer Uptown 8. Everything else either lacks a full chain guard, suffers from that flat-footed Electra design, or costs a bundle of $$$ that I don't want to spend on a so-called practical bike.

[W]

hopefully we can get over the male dominated racer/athletic bike mania that is current in the USA today and start to make cycling safer for the broad demographic- maybe this guy is the real future- no special costume, no clunky bike shoes, no stupid looking dinosaurish bike helmet- just ordinary clothes like they wear on bikes in Holland, Germany, China, Denmark.

[guez]

W,

Why do you--and Copenhagenize--care so much about people who wear helmets and ride road bikes? Why does safer, everyday cycling for a broader demographic require that we "get over" athletic cycling? Why do roadies have to be ridiculed for wearing lycra? Why are the two alternatives a) "athletic" cycling and b) talking on the phone in the middle of a traffic circle? (If the guy in the picture is the future, jackasses will inherit the earth.) For that matter, what's wrong with riding a bike for exercise or as a sport?

In sum: Why try to deepen the cultural divide in the cycling world (roadies vs. fixie types vs. everyday commuters) rather than focus on what we all share?