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Can Edinburgh learn from Dublin and Munich?

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  1. Kim
    Member

    Watching http://www.naden.de/blog/bbvideo-bbpress-video-plugin -->

    [+] Embed the video | this video I was struck by the political commitment there is in Dublin and the determination to make things happen. Don't be distracted by the pictures, listen to what is being said, particularly by the Irish. The serious message starts about 2:23 in.

    " target="_blank">Video Download    		Get the Flash Video

    Here in Edinburgh we are starting to see some support for improving infrastructure, which is great, but we also need promotion of cycling as a normal activity for ordinary people, not just the Lycra loons.

    The Dublin video might appeal to some, there is another approach taken by Munich. Munich is has decided to increase the use of bicycles in the urban transportation system, and has taken to call its self a Radlhauptstadt (Cycle Capital). One of the things which they are doing is Emotional Marketing, something which is heavily used by the car industry.

    Personally I think it would be great if we have a Radlstar (Bike Star) competition here in Edinburgh. Any one else think this would be a good idea?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. chdot
    Admin

    "Personally I think it would be great if we have a Radlstar (Bike Star) competition here in Edinburgh."

    Looks good but I couldn't actually see what the competition was.

    Edinburgh has been talking about 'improving cycle marketing' for years.

    I've been involved in various things - leaflets, European Mobility Week etc.

    But 'The Council' was never wholehearted behind it.

    At one time there was a budget of £100k for EMW - big event on George Street. It was OK to close it on a Sunday. After that the idea of closing streets got more difficult.

    I'm sure in other cities it would have got easier.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Mellow Velo
    Member

    I think it's a great idea but would advocate expanding it beyond Edinburgh into the belt of commuter authorities of all the Lothians and Fife.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Morningsider
    Member

    "Lycra loons" - really! I hardly see anyone wearing lycra on a bike in Edinburgh (committed roadies excepted). Most people seem to wear their normal clothes for cycling - perhaps with a cycle jacket and maybe waterproof trousres. Cycle specific clothing is practical and in many cases makes cycling more, rather than less pleasant.

    The issue of fashion/clothes is way down the list of reasons for people choosing not to cycle. Research carried out for Cycling Scotland put the four main reasons for not cycling as safety, practicality, incapacity and culture. I suppose fashion may be a minor part of "culture" but this is not a key issue. Non-cyclists are more concerned about being killed on a bike than the cut of their trousers. Cycle marketing may keep people in a job, but I have yet to see any evidence that the money it costs wouldn't be better spent on cycle training or infrastructure.

    My opinion is that anyone dubbed a "cycle star" would be seen as a smug idiot by non-cyclists rather than someone to ape and would be derided by the general cycling community as a big head who did not represent them - just my view of course.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. ruggtomcat
    Member

    positive images of cyclists and cycling is good, but I think the brits are a little to cynical for this, I mean, what did he get an award for? did they race?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. Min
    Member

    ""Lycra loons" - really!"

    And quines I think. :-) Although I agree with you that hardly anyone wears lycra, unfortunately most people seem to be unable to use their eyes and realise this! Hence the obsession with lycra I think.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. ruggtomcat
    Member

    Ha! mine is under me troo's...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. kaputnik
    Moderator

    There's nothing wrong with having an obsession with lycra. If you wear it, that is! Know what you mean though, around town, I usually feel a bit out of place line up with the other cyclists in the ASL box.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. amir
    Member

    I would also defend the use of lycra. What is wrong with wearing clothing that is appropriate for use? For reasonable distance and when you gonna raise a sweat, lycra has advantages of comfort etc. I personally would wearing tweed, but I see nothing wrong with others doing so.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. amir
    Member

    Mind you, if car drivers were to wear clothing appropriate to use, some would have to wear pajamas

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. Min
    Member

    Hehe. There is nothing wrong with it, I wear it myself a lot of the time. Except when people use it as yet another stick to beat cyclists with in the face of all the evidence.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. Kim
    Member

    There is nothing wrong with wearing Lycra (either loon or quine), if if you only regard cycling as a sporting activity and there are lots of people who where Lycra to cycle to work. I have noticed that this is an increasing trend (the wearing of Lycra more so that just communing). Maybe I notice more people wear Lycra then others do, because I have taken to street photography and the subjects I am particularly looking for are just ordinary "citizen cyclist".

    The point of the Radlstar (Bike Star) competition is to show that normal, ordinary people ride bicycles. So much of the promotion of cycling these days is about sporting/leisure activity, just look thing like PfS or the Sky rides and the mass growth of Sportive. Cycling where you have to wear special clothes and wear protective gear. Yes it gets people on to a bicycle once in a while, but it is not about using the bicycle as simple short range transport.

    In increasing number of European cities (and a few in North America) the bicycle is used, not just as a sports toy, but as simple short range transport, with no need for special clothes and wear protective gear, in just the same way a car is here. The big difference is that it is considered to be normal to ride a bicycle, in the way that it is seen as being normal to drive a car here.

    Posted 13 years ago #

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