National Public Radio recently had a story on the enthusiasm for using bicycles for transportation in Copenhagen. What I found interesting about the story was the broad agreement among citizens and politicians in Copenhagen on the benefits of riding bicycles over driving cars. The journalist reported that politicians on both the right and the left of the political spectrum ride bikes to work and support the idea of building more bike routes.
In Copenhagen they are expanding existing bike lanes and building bike super highways that will connect urban and suburban neighborhoods. People can, and do, commute long distances by bicycle. City officials in Copenhagen expect the expansion of existing bike routes to have a positive impact on the environment and to reduce health care costs by as much as $60 million per year.
It makes sense to ride bikes instead of driving cars whenever possible, but people need to be able to ride safely, hence the need for designated bike paths and bike highways.
Could we do this on a large scale in America? I like the idea. See my video on saving the world with bicycles
Monte
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