Bikes

Bikes - 45 million people in Europe use a bike as their main means of transport!

“Warsaw is not a village to be cycled through”. These were the words of the municipal clerk responsible for roads in the capital. Progressing logically from this statement, we can conclude that the biggest villages in Europe are Amsterdam and Berlin, where bikes are a rightful means of transport. In the Italian city of Bolzano, a meter installed on one of the main cycle routes counted over a million cyclists passing in 6 months.

European cities which are initiating green transport policies encourage the use of bikes, enlarge cycle networks and improve bicycle parking facilities. For every cyclist on the roads we have fewer emissions, less congestion, lower noise levels and healthier city dwellers. It also means vast savings in the city’s budget due to decreased spending on road repair work and construction and decreased spending on healthcare.

The bicycle also has a social dimension. As early as the 19th century it was recognised by the feminist and suffrage movement as a “machine of freedom” which hastened the process of women’s emancipation. Due to a relatively low price, ease of maintenance and very low exploitation costs, the use of bikes today also raises the level of mobility in many countries whilst aiding the development of equal opportunities for all citizens.

Did You Know?

 * In Warsaw there has been a "Critical Mass For Autism", which successfully raised funds to start a business employing autistic people?
 * for 9% of Europeans in the EU, a bike is the main form of transport – that’s almost 45 million cyclists!
 * In a growing number of European cities, bikes are becoming available for public use – Copenhagen, Paris, Barcelona, Prague and Stockholm, among others, have all introduced such schemes.
 * On ever last Friday of the month, hundreds of thousands of people across Europe take part in “Critical Mass”, a bike ride demonstration along the major roads of European cities: from Moscow to Lisbon, from Finnish Turku to Chania on Crete. This non-motorised social movement is also engaged in improving the quality of public space and life in cities. Get involved!