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On my three days in Milan I used the BikeMi shared bike scheme for most of my transportation, always my preferred way of getting around. But it was really hot and humid and the bikes are heavy and sluggish on … Continue reading
This gallery contains 3 photos.
In my previous post I congratulated myself on finding a cheap apartment in a fantastic location in Milan (for that was the city in the images). However I was not there by accident. I chose it because it was near … Continue reading
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You do realise that I only do this cycling stuff because I care deeply about you? For the good of the planet, the environment, our health? Tough trip this one. The view at the top of the steps from the … Continue reading
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I am extremely fortunate that I get invited to all sorts of cities to talk about the development of cycling and cycling cultures. And I am even luckier that I get to ride around these cities with some of the … Continue reading
Way back in 2012 when almost nobody read my blog except my family and a few friends I really enjoyed writing a piece about one special Saturday. The onset of spring was its theme, marked by “La Primavera”, the classic … Continue reading
I should be in Milan today talking about the economics of cycling. I was really looking forward to it, we have a good panel, an interesting venue and one of cycling’s current hot topics.
I also had enough time to actually explore Milan a bit too which I was really looking forward to blogging about, especially the city bike share and the congestion zone.
However…… due to last week’s stupid fall I am a bit too battered to travel, which is deeply frustrating. I have sent them over a presentation with a recorded voiceover that I will probably put up on the ECF web site in due course. However this was also the subject of a discussion on our second radio show and podcast over at BikeTalk in Los Angeles.
In the last podcast we heard that I might be part of a global conspiracy to impose cycling on the reluctant citizens of Los Angeles.
This time we spent an interesting hour mulling over the arguments for and against cycling from an economic and business perspective. The first part of the discussion was all about battling objections as the LA based cycling advocates hit the barrier of local businesses campaigning against a bike lane, then we moved into a broader discussion about making the case for cycling.
Fellow guests were Michael Andersen of People for Bikes, Portlandian author Elly Blue, Memphis business owner/cyclist Pat Brown, LA “Flying Pigeon” author Josef Bray-Ali, and Midnight Ridazz founder Don Ward.
Right at the conclusion you can discover that we might have now moved on from global conspiracy to the Arab Spring, so that could be a positive step!
You can stream it or download it from this page, along with a wide collection of other cycling content.
Thanks to Nick at Bike Talk for the invitation.to speak once again.
9.am.
The cool people are gathered for an expresso. From old to young kisses and handshakes are exchanged. Anywhere else in the world this would be just a local, but here it has that extra touch of elegance, even down to the tablecloths.
And the expresso is outstanding.
Welcome to Milan.
I Do Not Despair 