how do we get here ...

Ive followed the copenhagenzine bike blog and scene for a number of years and at the same time I've watched cycling initiatives come and go both across the UK and locally. And whilst we can claim some success (cycling has certainly increased) there is a very long way to go.

http://vimeo.com/copenhagenize/copenhagen-city-of-cyclists-video

This is a video showing Copenhagens unique bicycle culture as it looks in the beginning of the early 21st century.

A monumental motion of everyday people transporting themselves from A to B by pure pedal power.

-Each day 37% of everybody in Copenhagen arrives at work or education by bicycle.
-25% of all families with two kids in the city own a cargo bike.
-And the 519,000 inner city copenhageners own 560,000 bicycles!

The one thing that seems to make success easier to get to is a political will with in local authorities or councils. And I don't just mean a few in a department tasked to do it. but right the top lord mayor, head of councils and others actually living and making cycling in their area easier, safer and more accessible for all. Forcing cycling to the top of the agenda in planning development health leisure and education.

How do we get there ?

Well I suppose by me and you taking us their, role model and political pressure.

Maybe it's time we started to ask some questions of Local authorities and land owners like St. Modwens, who this year whilst supporting cycling in many ways still have staff that frown on any group turning up at Trentham Gardens and have no cycle provision's for moving between the Monkey Forest and the retail park.

And where are cyclist meant to go at the end of the cycle path along the A34 Stone to to Stafford ? Do the really want us to ride against traffic or filter into the dual carriage way or was that the cheapest solution.

Do the crash barriers along the one way network in stone encourage a race track mentality amongst drivers, surely they should be removed and a shared space mentality adopted with a 20MPH enforced speed zone.

maybe we need an local action group made up of people who want to see the change and are ready to ask the questions and influence the future.