Detours: A Whole New World

We all talk about how bike friendly some communities like Milwaukee and Portland are in comparison to our own, but nothing compares to Europe. Way back in, hmmm, 2000 I participated in a culture share program with students in Bergen, Norway. We started off in Amsterdam and then spent the rest of the two week trip traveling across Norway. I can't find my pictures but if I do come across them I'll put them up sometime. Norway is one of those places I would love to return to.

Anyway, while I was there I was struck by how many people used bicycles to get around. Amsterdam, of course, is the bike Mecca of the world, but everywhere else we went it was seemed like more people were using bikes or walking than using cars. This makes perfect sense when you step back and look at how the communities of Europe are laid out in comparison to ours. Most, if not all, were built long before the age of the automobile when the number one way to get around was on foot. So, everything is much closer together. Some places, in fact, are still not car friendly at all!

Although automobiles are quite popular in Europe today, it is possible and acceptable not to use or own one. In 2001, I went on another cultural exchange trip (this time to the UK) and stayed with a couple that lived in Gloucester who had never owned a car and neither of them ever received a license. The wife walked to all her errands no matter where they were and the husband who worked as a guard at the prison rode his bicycle. They were in their mid-50's at the time and were fit as can be.

I've since traveled to other parts of Europe including France, Italy, and Greece and each one of those places, though very different in terrain and culture successfully incorporated bicycles into their transportation. Granted, the Italians are not nearly as safety conscience and careful as the Norwegians and the Greeks are downright dangerous, but they all see the bicycle as a perfectly acceptable way to travel.

As I mentioned last week, the Mr. is currently visiting Germany and Luxembourg for work. He arrived in Hanua, Germany yesterday and so far hasn't needed a car. Someone picks him up from the hotel and takes him to the office and he does all his sightseeing in Hanua on foot. All he keeps telling me is how many bicycles and cyclists he sees. He hopped on the train at the Frankfurt airport bound for Hanua and the train was chock full of cyclists. One of them happily pointed him in the right direction when they got off at the station. As he was looking at the street map, an older couple on bicycles stopped to see if he needed help. So, not only do the Germans love their bikes, but they're friendly too. Wouldn't it be great if we had the same mentality here in the States?

Later on he'll be staying at a hotel that rents bikes to the guests so they can get around. Have you ever stayed at a hotel in the US that does that (besides a lodge in a park)?

So, here are some pictures he's sent along from Hanua. I'll be getting more of them through the next several weeks and will keep you posted.