4 ms·

Not too long ago the streets of Beijing and Saigon were the same, but people didn't like it that way and moved first to motorbikes and then cars as soon as they

Not too long ago the streets of Beijing and Saigon were the same, but people didn't like it that way and moved first to motorbikes and then cars as soon as they could.

Grustaf 7y ago
Ah, maybe from the point of view of Americans and people from poor countries people bike because they have to, but in Europe it’s mostly because it’s convenient, healthy and pleasant.
- ced 7y ago
  In developing countries, cars are status symbols. Once everybody can afford one, that stops being the case.
  - Grustaf 7y ago
    Yeah exactly. The funny thing is that the US still has that developing country mindset about cars and other creature comforts. I wonder why that is.
- pintxo 7y ago
  We might also want to look at climate differences between locations. Denmark and Netherlands have a rather enjoyable e with regards to biking. Other places less so. The other factors are possibly geography and the pure size of the location.
  - Grustaf 7y ago
    No, Northern Europe most certainly doesn’t have a climate that promotes bicycling. Denmark and Holland are flat, that is true, but so is LA. But SF is not, neither is Portland really, nor do they have very nice weather, and those cities have more far bikes, so I don’t think it’s mostly about geographical factors.
    - pintxo 7y ago
      Step back: What would you deem to be good climate for cycling?
      - Grustaf 7y ago
        When bicycling I prefer when it doesn't rain ice cold rain almost everyday from October to March, and when it's not windy every single day (though as a kitesurfer I don't complain about THAT). It's also not ideal when the sun both rises and sets while you're at work, so you have to bike in the dark everyday for three months. But that's strictly speaking not about climate... And that's Copenhagen. Stockholm is worse in every possible way, darker, colder (OK, it's not as windy) and few bike lanes. Still, more people bike there than in LA or Miami.
  - Grustaf 7y ago
    On the other hand: https://www.boredpanda.com/students-bicycle-school-winter-snow-oulu-finland/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic&fbclid=IwAR10tsqGdYwMwNLv-AR_TG5GdZsuDcwR1iLgT4IoEYEX01_DT56xuZosbh0 https://www.boredpanda.com/students-bicycle-school-winter-sn...

Not too long ago the streets of Beijing and Saigon were the same, but people didn't like it that way and moved first to motorbikes and then cars as soon as they could.

Grustaf 7y ago

Ah, maybe from the point of view of Americans and people from poor countries people bike because they have to, but in Europe it’s mostly because it’s convenient, healthy and pleasant.

ced 7y ago
In developing countries, cars are status symbols. Once everybody can afford one, that stops being the case.
- Grustaf 7y ago
  Yeah exactly. The funny thing is that the US still has that developing country mindset about cars and other creature comforts. I wonder why that is.
pintxo 7y ago
We might also want to look at climate differences between locations. Denmark and Netherlands have a rather enjoyable e with regards to biking. Other places less so. The other factors are possibly geography and the pure size of the location.
- Grustaf 7y ago
  No, Northern Europe most certainly doesn’t have a climate that promotes bicycling. Denmark and Holland are flat, that is true, but so is LA. But SF is not, neither is Portland really, nor do they have very nice weather, and those cities have more far bikes, so I don’t think it’s mostly about geographical factors.
  - pintxo 7y ago
    Step back: What would you deem to be good climate for cycling?
    - Grustaf 7y ago
      When bicycling I prefer when it doesn't rain ice cold rain almost everyday from October to March, and when it's not windy every single day (though as a kitesurfer I don't complain about THAT). It's also not ideal when the sun both rises and sets while you're at work, so you have to bike in the dark everyday for three months. But that's strictly speaking not about climate... And that's Copenhagen. Stockholm is worse in every possible way, darker, colder (OK, it's not as windy) and few bike lanes. Still, more people bike there than in LA or Miami.
- Grustaf 7y ago
  On the other hand: https://www.boredpanda.com/students-bicycle-school-winter-snow-oulu-finland/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic&fbclid=IwAR10tsqGdYwMwNLv-AR_TG5GdZsuDcwR1iLgT4IoEYEX01_DT56xuZosbh0 https://www.boredpanda.com/students-bicycle-school-winter-sn...