(This article was originally published in my sports page column Self-Propelled
in the August 21 to 27, 2011 issue of the Baguio Chronicle
--- a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines.)
A bicycle-friendly city is judged in five categories often referred to as the Five Es. It was created by The Bicycle-Friendly Communities Campaign as an award program to recognize cities that actively support bicycling.
The Five Es are:
ENGINEERING: What has been built to promote cycling in the community, the availability of bike parking, designated lanes, signals and the connectivity of both the off/on-road networks.
ENCOURAGEMENT: The promotion and encouragement of bicycling through events and campaigns.
EVALUATION and PLANNING: Systems to measure current programs and take appropriate steps to plan for the future.
EDUCATION: The amount of education there is available for both cyclists and motorists, including bike maps.
ENFORCEMENT: If the community uses enforcement to encourage cyclists and motorists to share the road safely, and the existence of bicycling-related laws.
According to The Bicycle-Friendly Communities Campaign, the following are considered bicycle-friendly cities:
1. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam, a.k.a. the bike capital of the world, has 40 percent of all traffic movements by bicycle. They have created a bicycle-friendly city that promotes a healthier, more active lifestyle for its residents. An extensive network of safe, fast and comfortable bicycle routes has been developed, the road safety of cyclists has been increased, and a theft-prevention program was set up as well as the number of bicycle sheds increased.
Amsterdam is home to the famous Amsterdam Bike Ramp at Central Station which holds some 7000+ bikes for commuters to park while they travel by train.
2. PORTLAND, OREGON, USA
Portland has a varied bicycle network that connects all parts of the city. This network has proven successful in dramatically increasing bicycle use. Portland also has a strong bicycle culture where all types of cyclists can find opportunities to enjoy riding a bicycle. Portland’s Create-a-Commuter Program is the first project in the U.S. that provides low-income adults with commuter bicycles as well as a session on commuter safety. The bikes come outfitted with lights, a lock, a helmet, a pump, tool kits, maps and rainwear.
Much headway is being made in 2010 towards further expansion of the Portland Bicycle Network. Bicycle use has quadrupled over the last 20 years without any increase in crashes. The city still has 38 miles of bike lanes left in order to achieve its master plan. But in some neighborhoods bike commuters are as high as 9 percent.
3. COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Named as one of Forbes’ Top Ten Places to Live in Europe, Copenhagen is also home to the world's most successful community bicycle program. In Denmark, practically everybody has a bike, and for many years Copenhagen has been known as The City of Bikes. Copenhagen estimates that it spends between $10 million and $20 million per year on bike infrastructure additions and improvements.
Currently 32 percent of workers bicycle to work and 50 percent say they cycle to work because it is fast and easy. The city's bicycle paths are extensive and well-used. Bicycle paths are often separated from the main traffic lanes and sometimes have their own signal systems. Already one city neighborhood, the notorious commune Christiania, is completely car-free. In other places, cars are charged $5 per hour to park, so having a bike is a great money-saver.
The city provides public bicycles which can be found throughout the downtown area and used with a returnable deposit of 20 kroner (1 kroner is equivalent to about 0.18 US$), your money is refunded when you return the bike to one of many racks.
4. BOULDER, COLORADO, USA
Great public programs that help promote safe biking and encourage its use such as Boulder Safe Routes to School pilot program. One school reported that 75 percent of their students walked or biked to school --- a 620 percent increase from before the pilot. More than 4,000 people participate in Boulder’s Bike-to-Work Day.
At least 95 percent of arterials have bike lanes or trails on them. They recently completed two major underpasses, and offers online bike mapping. Boulder has spent an average 15 percent of its transportation budget on building and maintaining bicycle traffic over the past 5 years
5. DAVIS, CALIFORNIA, USA
This small city of 65,000 people has over 100 miles of bike lanes and bike paths. Seventeen percent of Davis residents commute to work on bicycles. Davis was one of the first cities in the U.S. to actively start planning for and incorporating the bicycle into its transportation infrastructure. Davis residents enjoy an extensive network of bike lanes, bike paths, and grade-separated bicycle crossings. The flat terrain and temperate climate are also conducive to bicycling. City residents voted to get rid of public school busses many years ago, so many children walk or bike to school.
Davis has a comprehensive local bike map with tips and resources on the back. This map is multi-colored, it is free, and it is distributed through the city, university, and local bike shops. Bicycling is so core to this community’s identity that the city’s logo is a bike. The City of Davis and UC Davis are in the process of establishing a west coast bicycle museum. Davis has more bikes than cars and is the only place to earn platinum status on Bicycle Friendly Community's list of top cities. The city has a number of bike tunnels for riders to enjoy a seamless experience throughout the city.
6. SANDNES, NORWAY
In 1990, the government decided to start a 4-year pilot bicycle project in order to reduce car traffic and Sandnes was chosen to be one of two pilot towns. The two main goals of the project were to make the town friendlier for cyclists as well as to make more people use the bicycle. The campaign has continued well past the 4 year mark and today, Sandnes has the best facilities for cyclists in Norway.
Starting in June 1986, the public bike system enables you to subscribe to a plan of use.
(To be continued next issue.)
This week, I get off my bike in remembrance of my mother who joined her Creator on August 24, 1991. I miss you until this day, Ma!
Until then and have a safe ride all the time. Put on that cycling helmet each time you get on your bike. Remember: YOU CAN BEAT THE EGG WITHOUT BREAKING THE SHELL.* (SP13)
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