The Brazilian way (Campinas, SP)

Here are a few pictures I made near Campinas in Brazil (Sao Paulo state). Rushing at (an allowed) 100KM/h ,you can see this. It's not for me.

Though a real good thing in Campinas is that they close a (two lane) road around a big lake every weekend! So you can run, bike, skate, walk or whatever else as much as you like without every thinking about traffic. It's about a 5~6 km circle. Fantastic! Afterwards you can buy a healthy fruit drink or other food at one of the many outdoor shops. How about we have THAT in Taipei city?

How cities can get drivers biking

An article about safe bike lanes. Read it here Here

New biking regulation for Taiwan in the making

Some more vague statistics and an old story. Well, there was a step in the right direction to talk to bike maker. But.. you would expect Bike suppliers to support and install bells and light on bikes when sold and the government sponsor it (at least in the first year). But no, they said, pass it on to the consumer! BTW: Would a light be required in the daytime. How would a ugly bell look like an a ten/hundred-thousands of dollar sports road bike? would you install it? BTW It's laughable the government goes into negotiations wihthout any specification of the lights/bells but have a clear amount how much to charge for violation of the - to be defined - rule!!
In other countries there is a grace period where people get a warning (e.g a year) before issuing fines.
Story here

Cycling in Taipei

This video is so cool, because it shows exactly what the "State of the art of bike commuting biking in Taipei" is and it did not change anything at all since when that video was made (2008). Video here

Curitiba Brazil- Great commuting but not for bikes

Another city with great transportation. Problem #1: Too many cars, Problem #2: Listen to the speaker: The city forgot to integrate bikes. Taipei... don't make the same mistake! Video here

The shared (?) bikelane

I am so happy I started this blog long time ago, because the stream of ridiculous news about biking policy and propaganda never seems to reach an end. Here is one more: "while around 120 kilometers of paths have been established in downtown Taipei City, mostly on shared sidewalks." Article here
I beg you pardon? OK then, So who (or what) are we sharing with? Pedestrians, shops showing theirs goods on the street, building construction, parked motorcycles, trucks loading and unloading deliveries, people getting in and out of public transportation (taxi's buses), MRT exit and entries, pillars of buildings. Sharing? I am Sorry. Again, can you tell what the biker(s) get of this 120km IN DOWNTOWN Taipei?

The bike as a symbol for progress ?

Since I love to provide you with links, here is some more. Discovered this news today from this blog (Taiwan In Cycles). The news says that the bike is (ab!)used as a symbol for progress in next 100 years. Why the bike again. Oh, yes, the bike is such an easy no-brainer (reflecting how long the govenrment had to think about this) because it's healthy and good for everyone. But then why Taipei is not doing anything to promote biking. Why is the bike suddenly the symbol of progress? As to be cynical as usual, it's (un)comfortable to assume Taipei citizens may only get good bike commuting in Taipei in a 100 years! This is about in line with the speed of progress made in the past years in Taipei. Sorry, but I won't show up for a pathetical political motivated event. And.. if it's all not enough here President Ma does it one more time. Would it not be time to set the record straight with a protest against the harassment of the bike and bikers by motorized traffic and politics?