City Bikes

There are cities such as Amsterdam or Copenhagen which are well-known for being bike-friendly and which cyclists have enjoyed riding around for decades, In such places, the public space is organised in such a way that cyclists are able to reach their destination both safely and quickly. Bicycles shape the cityscape, and the road layouts for motorised traffic are designed to ensure that cars have to move slowly in their prescribed lanes. The opposite is true in Berlin, where cycling remains a hazardous activity, even in the 21st century. Bikes queuing up at critical points may well have become a familiar sight, but this has more to do with the fact that the cycle paths are narrow and blocked and often end unexpectedly. Despite all the political declarations of intent by a red-green government, Berlin’s sprawling streets and crossings still belong to its cars. In Graz, an Austrian town in the mountains, cycle paths have been popping up all over the place, at least in the historical centre, and the number of cyclists has risen continuously. Winterthur, on the other hand, has long been considered one of the leading cycling cities in Switzerland. Some say the city has rested on its cycling laurels for too long. Perhaps this is why the city has recently launched various initiatives again.