Aaron mentioned the cycling population of Copenhagen in his last post. Even after the first hour in the city anyone would notice the amazing cycling culture that Denmark has:
- Most of the bicycles are older styles with upright handlebars, rather than racing or touring bikes;
- When stopped at a stop sign, cyclists politely line up behind each other in a straight line rather than in a herd or pack; no one runs a light;
- Slower cyclists stay to the right; faster ones on the left but no one is racing anywhere.
Minneapolis
has a growing cycling culture but many of us have seen near car/bike accidents
when either driver was not paying attention or taking a risk. Over lunch I
asked my Danish server about the seemingly well-behaved cyclists and learned some
interesting things from him. For one thing, the import tax on a car is a
deterrent to driving in itself—180% of the price of the car!
My
Danish friend said that there is a problem with bicycles being stolen. It is
not easily visible but Danish bikes have two locks on the back wheel that is a
condition of insurance. (Americans are used to enormous chains or U-locks.) He
said he’d had his bike stolen twice but that insurance does cover thefts. Today
he has painted his bike a “horrible” color as a deterrent to thieves.
Another story: One of the larger department stores was so enthused about bicycles in the 19th century that it created a space on its upper floor where ladies could try out their new cycling outfits while riding a bike inside!
Another story: One of the larger department stores was so enthused about bicycles in the 19th century that it created a space on its upper floor where ladies could try out their new cycling outfits while riding a bike inside!
--Mary
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