Just a thought: I wonder how it would be if the requirement for a driver's license in the U.S. was to pass a bicycle rider's course...in the middle of the city...lol.
@nbkyrww Because it is totally over kill. Imagine, dedicated bike lanes to bikes, no need ot use the same roads as cars. We have half assed infrastructure in the USA< it is sad.
@nbkyrww More than likely, over there they don't teach how to make the crash safer...they teach them not to crash in the first place, and watch out for others who do. Total biking skills...in my opinion.
Sydney is still a very car oriented city, however our amazing major Clover Moore is implementing changes to transform the city to a people/cycle oriented city by 2030. 10km of a planned 200km have been build and more pedestrian only section are being constructed. Unfortunately there is allot of resistance from sort-sighted politicians and the public. Mostly people are just ignorant about the benefits of a cycle friendly city. They need to see the video (if they can tolerate the Casio tone music)
Somee of the best cities in the world... I was born and Raised in Copenhagen, been to Amsterdam, and my family is Colombian, some of them residing in Bogotá.
does anyone know what sculputure that is at 2:04? it looks just like dani karavan's ma’alot, but that is in cologne, not copenhagen, amsterdam or bogota.
now it would also be interesting to have a look at cycling in paris with the vélib system.
China used to be a bicycle country. But now everyone wants a car and cities are jammed with cars. What a shame! We are going in the wrong direction! I wish more Chinese will watch this video.
@ascc1024 Same in Korea, almost no one will ride here. If they do it's because they are very poor or because it has become fashionable to buy extremely expensive bikes and ride them in the park once in a while...the streets have almost no bikes in them. Dangerous cars and egos have driven bikes away.
The bicycle is perfect for short distances. The problem with some cities, like Dublin, is that they are very spread out and low-density. More compact cities can more effectively introduce a cycling culture. In Dublin, what the authorities do is simply penalize car drivers, without making things easier for cyclists and users of public transport. More carrot and less stick is needed. If it is made advantageous to cycle, then people will. I don't believe car drivers should be penalized though.
Congratulation for these cities which they move on riding a bicycle that it is the right way of moving.
What a pity i can't agree Brazil with that, cuz here the priority is cars, no respect for the ciclist and no respect for the pedestrians.
I can tell, that i already went through a car window when i was run over by it, everybody inside the car were intoxicated, which they ran away i was rescued by other people.
WOW!!....I live in the USA, and this place is better than the US, car FREE? I bet the air is pure and clean and cancer free. I'm ashame of the US, we are oil freaks, here.
Corporate profit. Everything in America is driven by corporate profit. There is no profit in cycling for corporate America so, you will never see anything like this in America.
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You rich pussy hippie/yuppie scum. Get off the road with your toys because if I see you on your little upper-middle class bikes on a public road going to an office job wearing pussy cloths blocking my SUV I'll drive you off the road. Bikes are for children not men!
nice video... I ride in Calgary which is not quite as cold as "Winterpeg" but riding in winter is possible. The infastructure here seems to be geared around recreational multi use paths... :(
They need to step it up a few notches and the car is costing us too much in many ways (health care, repairs/maintenance of roads)
I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and it's not practical to really use a bike. Everything is spaced out, there's not really and path paths and drivers don't really respect biker also vice- versa too. People don't really bike because winters are not great at all, and summers are hot, but kind of humid. It's not a bad city just the climate isn't too bike friendly, cars do rule the road. It's a smaller city though so driving and traffic is really bad, it's kind of quick when it's not rush hour!
Im dutch and I just love my bike. I pick op my children from school and do my groceries, everything, even when it rains or snows. I wouldn't want to live anywhere where biking isn't possible.
10:50 cycling in snow ..wow!! how committed they are..Indians too need to learn from them..though we do have enough cyclists..Lots need to be improved and encouraged
2) Everything is so far apart! The cities are so large and (at least where I live) there are no real city centers. The roads are designed mostly for cars with very limited (and dysfunctional) bike lanes.
3) The U.S. is so HUGE! It seems almost impossible to get the whole U.S. to change their car needing ways, so I guess we'll just have to go state by state...This is going to take forever. :(
As long as we get started city by city, we will be fine. Remember, The Netherlands is a small country and they don't bike from city to city either. Amsterdam to Rotterdam for example. I think they are talking about for commuting within the towns. Erie Pa believe it or not is really bike friendly.
I live in the United States (Florida) and I completely agree with you. It's awful trying to get around by bike. In the last year I have been hit by a car once and almost hit more times than I can count on my fingers and toes. I can identify three main problems in regards to cycling: 1) Most people have a "car first" attitude. Cars are supreme and no other mode of transportation is valid or deserves rights on the road. I am running out of room so see my next comment. :)
hmmm...that is odd. Since when I got knocked off my bike in Portland OR by a crazy mad hit and run driver(it was actually a purposeful assault as he was calling me names as he did it) as I rode safely and legally .. Even though I had FOUR adult witnesses ; an excellent description of the driver; and his license plate number...the cops refused to do anything about it! So I went to the deputy D.A's office and they would not pursue it either. I still ride a lot, but, 'Friendly bike town' my ass.
that sux. Philly also has ignorant drivers and cops who don't care. I currently live in Austin,TX, where supposedly is a silver-star rated bike town. the bicycle fines are slightly higher than for cars, for say, running a red light. And here, the cops don't care. My advice for you lazy, self-centered, "car-drivers" is [dot-dot-dot] PATIENCE !!! I carry spark plugs, pocket blade and fist-fuller.
I noticed that almost nobody in the Netherlands wears a cycling helmet, but in Columbia, it seems to be 50 / 50. Anyone else notice that? Just an observation.
I've been to the Netherlands a few times, the bike lanes are always seperated from car traffic. This gives the rider a great sense of safety. I'm assuming that in Colombia, just like here in New York City; most bike lanes are shared with cars. This is probably why more people decide to wear a helmet.
@1nterceptor Well not really, I am from Bogotá and I can say CicloPaths have changed dramatically our lives in a possitive way of course, they are designed to have a place for trees, bycicles and of course a pedestrian path wich gives more priority to people and environment than cars. Tthe thing with the helmets is because it was initially imposed as a rule for every bycicle user but in time people adopted it and now they´re used to it, that´s an example on how people culture can change :D
I'm living in Singapore, which is too dangerous to comute with a bike on the road. How i wish it could be same here. A inclusive society is a democratic society!
Another great place for cycling is Treviso (NE ITALY) and the area between Treviso and Venice. When I was there recently, I was surprised at how many were using bikes, complete with baskets and all! I've also heard Grenoble in France is good for cycling and has great cycle lanes too. Berlin had quite good bike lanes too but not a huge amount of people cycled there though. I suppose their public transport system is so good that you don't really need a bike, let alone a car!
Beautiful video. I came to the Netherlands recently and I am impressed by the peoples obsession with bikes. Coming from cycling unfriedly country, I bought one straight away and am enjoying the ride of my life. Very safe and effficient.
Cities in northern Belgium, such as Ghent and Antwerp are also bicycle-friendly. I wish my city, Dublin, were more bike-friendly. However, our government has badly planned our city for the past 30 years and local government doesn't have enough power. At least though, it's not as extreme as American cities where you MUST have a car. That's so 1980's. Cycling in cities is the future. At least in Dublin, so limited cycling can be done and you can walk everywhere (unlike in the USA).
There was a time when the streets were shared by pedestrians, bicycles, horses, carts, buses and trams. Why on earth we moved to car-oriented planning I do not know. Bicycles have just about every advantage possible for a transportation system.
Portland, Or is a great cycling city relative to any other American city I have ridden through. In eight days of riding there I only had 6 motorists shout at me, but to my amazement, it was words of encouragement and bicycle celebration =)
Wow this makes me want to move. The bottom line, as highlighted in this movie, is the issue of respect in my opinion. American motorists dont respect themselves or anyone else in my opinion. Its not even a matter that these people don't think they can use alternative transportation, its that they gave up long ago on their humanity. If people think they are _better_ than others who ride the bus, for example, the problem isnt one of infrastructure but attitude.
I have been biking for 20 years. My commute is about 8 km one-way. My biking range now spans 7 counties and 48 cities: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties, Cities from Sausalito to Hollister, from Santa Cruz to Oakland. I am among the people who do not own a car, and do not plan to have one.
PORTLAND OREGON! BIKE CITY USA! Wanna live in the city and love to ride your bike? Come check us out! Were ahead of everyone when it comes to bikes and mass transit, were also the greenest city in America
I have to say I've met Danish and Dutch people who are living in the US won't even venture riding in suburban America. You have to be a little brave to bike commute in the US. I've been riding to work since 1997 and 2 years of that was in snowy Vermont now in Albuquerque. I have to say the LA commuters are probably the bravest. I've ridden NYC and Chicago but chickened out in most of LA.
im currently uploading a 16 min. video that i made using windows movie maker it's actually a bday present...unfortuantely, i can't process coz the video is too long according to youtube...how can it be??? i need help pls...i really need to upload this coz my friend is in japan and i'm in manila...someone help me pls...
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I hate cyclists. They arrogantly hog the road, look ridiculous in those stupid lycra suits and pompously they think they're so much better than people who *shock!* "merely" go for walks. In fact when I drive and see cyclists I fantasize about running them over.
i love bicycle culture im colombian and this is the best thing that has happened to bogota this is such a strong symbol for democracy here in bogota as penalosa said "showing the a citizen on a 30000 dollar car is just as equal as a citizen on 30 dollar bike"..than you!! and i hope to see this in many cities in the world in the near future
I've got a hi-res downloadable version of this documentary on my website. Google "pedaling in bike city" to find it. Download it, burn it to a CD, and show it to your councilperson! And your mom :)
The credits say the movie is "scripted" by Enrique Penelosa, former mayor of Bogota. If, he is the narrator, his English is excellent. I suspect there are more than one language the narrator can speak.
So? So what if I have written many comments on this video? Is there a law against that?! All of them except the one to you and another (friendly) one to someone else were just my own comments and not replies to anyone. Don't see how it's an issue if I make comments on a video I'm very interested in. Maybe you're just not very intellectual and just don't get it.
You know what's funny, in the 3 or 4 cities shown here on this video, I think I saw a total of maybe 3 fat people. That's truly astounding. In the US where we're all about cars and McDonalds, I think I can just walk a city block and see about 20 obese fat chicks.
I sincerely believe that if everyone used bikes, not only will it help many families bring down their cost of living but also make the city more habitable and friendly for all. You will be able to see the faces of the people you encounter on the street instead of being divided from them by car doors.
The healthiest reason to support bicycling is that same realization - people need to interact with each other! Why else do we post and comment on videos!? Bicycling is a great counter to the extreme individualism that is eating away at the US, and helps everything from city and roadway congestion to air quality, general health and well-being, and so much more!
Read The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. Also NYC forces small dairy farmers to pay for 75% of all city expenses, and so all the farmers are going bust. So NYC is running out of land owners to tax the crap out of. My uncle gave up farming five years ago. That is socialism for yah!
I've been riding bikes in the US for over 40 years. You have to keep your wits about you, but it's not particularly dangerous. In my experience, pedestrians are more dangerous than cars.
LOL - good video but I notice all the bikes are pretty much the same or very similar. That must be good for security of the bikes. Non one will wanna steal a rubbish bike LOL
I live in Wales. I love this video,wouldn't it be great if we could all cycle like that. But I can't see it happening here, too many hills, and people are lazy, they don't like to put too much effort into cycling. I use my bike every day, and hills are just a challenge, and I am 70. But there are not many cyclist about here.
Like most of the comments I really like this video. I actually biked in Amsterdam when I was there for a week. It's really awesome, especially riding on those old granny style bikes (apparently that's all the have over there). It's so cool, you sit so high and they're very comfortable. I didn't know Copenhagen was like that as well. I will have to visit that place next time I'm in Europe.
Does anybody have statistics on distance traveled in these countries? it seems to mee that small cities like amsterdam or copenhagen people live really close to their jobs...could it be?
It is true that Amsterdam and Copenhagen are not terribly big cities, however from one side to the other can easily be 30 kilometers and many people will still use a bike.
In particular young people that are not yet allowed to get a driver's licence. I personally travel between 50 and 60 kilometer a day on bike on a normal week day, less during the weekends, and less when the weather is really bad. In NL many people also travel between cities on bikes.
In Dublin, Ireland, people don't cycle nearly as much as they do in Amsterdam/Copenhagen/Antwerp etc...but a lot of people walk. I always walk to the grocery store and shopping centre which is a 15 minute walk each way. It's a great way to get incidental exercise. I think more people would cycle if the government planned for it better. I think one big problem in the States is that cities and towns are designed for the car and often for the car alone. I'm glad Ireland didn't go down this route.
I was in Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium last summer and it's a joy to cycle there as there are separate lanes for bikes (with their own traffic lights and all!!). Off to Amsterdam soon and can't wait to cycle there. In Dublin, the problem is that the city is very low-density and very spread out. This doesn't favour cycling. More people cycled as a means of transportation in the 60's than now. It's been the case that cycling was seen as childish and somewhat 'poor'. Cycling is slowly growing again.
In many ways, America has had its heyday. Unless the USA adapts for the modern age, it'll go into decline, namely renewable energy, fewer cars, more bikes, better public transport and a rejuvenation of the centre of towns for shopping and open spaces, etc. More cycling would also help to combat the obesity epidemic sweeping the States.
From my own experience, exercise (just built into life when you get around on foot or by person power) is more important than anything for weight management. My grandmother never touched a diet book or ate low-carb but she MOVED and she was never heavy, never. I am not either unless I stop moving.
I used a bicycle for getting to and from work in Denver, Colorado, year round, over 30 years. In 30 years of riding I have been hit by motorists twice, one was hit-and-run. I received only scrapes and bruises in both accidents but both accidents could have been much worse. Enjoy your ride but stay alive.
ya im 17 and i race bicycles i was hit once when i was 8 years old and i got real lucky but 3 months ago a box truck driver decided he didnt like me and ran me over i am lucky to be alive i would have died had it not been for my helmet, i broke my back my foot my hand as well as many lacerations, I am almost back to healed now but it will be forever pain it would be nice if arizona and the rest of american was more like the netherlands.
The majority of daily travel is still within realistic cycling distances though. But yea, we are a little too attached to cars (though I have seen an increasing amound of bike lanes and trails in the midwest at least).
I think, mere democratic parliaments and structures are overrated in this video. They're no help in Frankfurt, Europe. The city is a dangerous and expensive trafficmess and most of the "responsible" people are glad to leave for their lowtax Königstein mountainvillas after work. They've given up on us, before we even elect them. It's more important that deciders are actually living in that very city: they should be forced to. Even a dictator would learn if his own children would kiss the road.
i had to comment on this video again, i love it. It makes me irritated that people in the US rely too much on their cars. my friend says it's not practical to not have a car. I told him that people don't want to give up their so called convenience to make the world better. I just wish we could get more people on bikes, they're so fun,
I agree. I cycle to and from work on a daily bassis and I love it and leave my car at home. We could do with this system in England. London would more then highly benefit with this sort of scheme as there are so many cars on the road today. They hardly move. It's quicker to commute in London by bicycle already. People need to change their habits and give cycling a try. Many car drivers should sort their attitude out, pay attention to the road more and share the road with cyclists and pedestrians
Im doing a research paper on cycling. This film is 1 of my main sources cited I hope cycling gains popularity in the states soon. I may have to move to Denmark. cars are illegal good times are legal a real paradise. thanx.
that was the best video ever! I can only imagine how awesome that would be. Sometimes i feel like I'm the only one who believes that bicycling is TRANSPORTATION ( in my town ).
I loved this video!!! I am with you about America being behind. So many things came to mind watching such as the Global Warming problem and noise but my biggest thing was just the simple fact that people need to get off their butts and push a peddle the exercise would reduce stress and make people feel better overall.
In Europe, the roads treat bikes and cars as equals - and there is mutual respect. In Toronto Canada, the car is still at the top of the pecking order, and most drivers seem to resent bikes on the road.
seriously its so hard to cycle in america i mean unlees the traffic is really really bad like stop and go its jsut rediculous i wish they would try to bring the car dominance down here it would make life so much nicer.
does anyone know of a video/film that shows traffic hell, i.e. un-friendly city/suburb, that would show the other side of the coin of what you get when you don't pay attention to creating bike infrastucture?
hey kipchoge - check out Henry Cutler's bakfiets-en-meer dot nl blog from Amsterdam. He posted a nice example from British Columbia recently. Long live Xtracycle!
Just a thought: I wonder how it would be if the requirement for a driver's license in the U.S. was to pass a bicycle rider's course...in the middle of the city...lol.
supersonrise 1 month ago
Why don't they wear helmets?
nbkyrww 4 months ago
@nbkyrww Because it is totally over kill. Imagine, dedicated bike lanes to bikes, no need ot use the same roads as cars. We have half assed infrastructure in the USA< it is sad.
djkenny 2 months ago in playlist Alternative Transportation
@nbkyrww More than likely, over there they don't teach how to make the crash safer...they teach them not to crash in the first place, and watch out for others who do. Total biking skills...in my opinion.
supersonrise 1 month ago
@nbkyrww why should they?
BarcelonaBici 1 month ago
Bicicle = one of the best inventions ever. These sounds like my kind of cities.
GabrieleSM 5 months ago
Sydney is still a very car oriented city, however our amazing major Clover Moore is implementing changes to transform the city to a people/cycle oriented city by 2030. 10km of a planned 200km have been build and more pedestrian only section are being constructed. Unfortunately there is allot of resistance from sort-sighted politicians and the public. Mostly people are just ignorant about the benefits of a cycle friendly city. They need to see the video (if they can tolerate the Casio tone music)
antonkruger 9 months ago
Wow nice video, thats what the world gonna do to stop the global warming, high taxes on cars and build the cities for bicycling..
Very smart move these countries did, less pollution, and People stay fit and use less money .
EPIC WINNING !!!
:)
TheRoffen 10 months ago
@theboofah
I'm surprised the US haven't converted to the metric system yet.
Heck, I hear that most physics classes in universities already use it.
Jesus45U 1 year ago
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cheristessa 1 year ago
I had the benefit of growing up in a bicycle friendly city in germany and i hope my children will do too.
bored2kGER 1 year ago
Somee of the best cities in the world... I was born and Raised in Copenhagen, been to Amsterdam, and my family is Colombian, some of them residing in Bogotá.
Corzito 1 year ago
does anyone know what sculputure that is at 2:04? it looks just like dani karavan's ma’alot, but that is in cologne, not copenhagen, amsterdam or bogota.
now it would also be interesting to have a look at cycling in paris with the vélib system.
SoundsLikeFelix 1 year ago
in holland you can't even get your drivers license without learning how to respond properly to bicycles. when they have priority/precedence etc.
MarjWas 1 year ago
Peñalosa, come back!!! :'(
FutileGrief 1 year ago
China used to be a bicycle country. But now everyone wants a car and cities are jammed with cars. What a shame! We are going in the wrong direction! I wish more Chinese will watch this video.
ascc1024 1 year ago
@ascc1024 Same in Korea, almost no one will ride here. If they do it's because they are very poor or because it has become fashionable to buy extremely expensive bikes and ride them in the park once in a while...the streets have almost no bikes in them. Dangerous cars and egos have driven bikes away.
earthboundcruiser 1 year ago
How I wish Singapore is like any of these cities...
acejetfighter 1 year ago
dont notice any fat-ass cows "trying" 2 ride do u?? USA IS A LAZY COUNTRY!
trx1961 1 year ago
Love..the Dutch and cycling, such a intelligent nation...love from England.....
francais197 1 year ago
The bicycle is perfect for short distances. The problem with some cities, like Dublin, is that they are very spread out and low-density. More compact cities can more effectively introduce a cycling culture. In Dublin, what the authorities do is simply penalize car drivers, without making things easier for cyclists and users of public transport. More carrot and less stick is needed. If it is made advantageous to cycle, then people will. I don't believe car drivers should be penalized though.
bacabu30 1 year ago
Congratulation for these cities which they move on riding a bicycle that it is the right way of moving.
What a pity i can't agree Brazil with that, cuz here the priority is cars, no respect for the ciclist and no respect for the pedestrians.
I can tell, that i already went through a car window when i was run over by it, everybody inside the car were intoxicated, which they ran away i was rescued by other people.
This is our painted picture here.
Here in therms of riding a bicycle, it is bad.
TheFreedomly 1 year ago
How can 11 people dislike this video?
SrAndresAmor 1 year ago 3
the Netherlands is setting an example for the whole world! I get so frustrated living in the United States. All you see are cars.....
also, the dutch can speak english amazingly!
SrAndresAmor 1 year ago 4
WOW!!....I live in the USA, and this place is better than the US, car FREE? I bet the air is pure and clean and cancer free. I'm ashame of the US, we are oil freaks, here.
Blackwater200 1 year ago
The world should be like this, Car culture and city design built around cars is CRAP!
KrunchyJD 1 year ago 3
Corporate profit. Everything in America is driven by corporate profit. There is no profit in cycling for corporate America so, you will never see anything like this in America.
yankeepedaler 1 year ago
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@yankeepedaler "America is driven by corporate profit. There is no profit in cycling for corporate America"
Because bicycles are provided by the bicycle fairy?
IsaacBickerstaffEsq 1 year ago
Wow, they actually have a car free day in Bogota. That's something other cities around the world should adopt, just like Earth Hour has been adopted.
bushwak07 1 year ago
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one of the best films ever! i love it. you can watch it here
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vernellhartwell 1 year ago
This is a very wonderful place to live. Not like my country. most of the people are suck big time. Cyclist can be fine, for using the pathway.
GreenBerrets 1 year ago
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You rich pussy hippie/yuppie scum. Get off the road with your toys because if I see you on your little upper-middle class bikes on a public road going to an office job wearing pussy cloths blocking my SUV I'll drive you off the road. Bikes are for children not men!
vermontwinter1 2 years ago
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FUCK YOU
maclovr 2 years ago
@vermontwinter1 lol somebody's got their vagina in a twist
jeffsandychelsea 1 year ago
wish it was in higher res.
bb714 2 years ago
nice video... I ride in Calgary which is not quite as cold as "Winterpeg" but riding in winter is possible. The infastructure here seems to be geared around recreational multi use paths... :(
They need to step it up a few notches and the car is costing us too much in many ways (health care, repairs/maintenance of roads)
realalbertan 2 years ago
I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and it's not practical to really use a bike. Everything is spaced out, there's not really and path paths and drivers don't really respect biker also vice- versa too. People don't really bike because winters are not great at all, and summers are hot, but kind of humid. It's not a bad city just the climate isn't too bike friendly, cars do rule the road. It's a smaller city though so driving and traffic is really bad, it's kind of quick when it's not rush hour!
aragrevLJ204 2 years ago
Im dutch and I just love my bike. I pick op my children from school and do my groceries, everything, even when it rains or snows. I wouldn't want to live anywhere where biking isn't possible.
Frouwtje 2 years ago 5
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i'm American and i love my Ford F1 truck! i use it for everything even to buy candy from the store which is 2min from my house.
gaajo99 2 years ago
We dont inherit the Earth from our ancestors--we borrow it from our children.
Please think about the environment...
Frouwtje 2 years ago 7
lol..
theInvigorate 2 years ago
and I love you....All respect to the Dutch.
schrockhard 2 years ago 2
10:50 cycling in snow ..wow!! how committed they are..Indians too need to learn from them..though we do have enough cyclists..Lots need to be improved and encouraged
rmurali 2 years ago
used to ride 400 miles a week for a hobby.cars suck.the US needs to do this.
thedigitalcollective 2 years ago 3
2) Everything is so far apart! The cities are so large and (at least where I live) there are no real city centers. The roads are designed mostly for cars with very limited (and dysfunctional) bike lanes.
3) The U.S. is so HUGE! It seems almost impossible to get the whole U.S. to change their car needing ways, so I guess we'll just have to go state by state...This is going to take forever. :(
skastar123 2 years ago
As long as we get started city by city, we will be fine. Remember, The Netherlands is a small country and they don't bike from city to city either. Amsterdam to Rotterdam for example. I think they are talking about for commuting within the towns. Erie Pa believe it or not is really bike friendly.
daddypants22 2 years ago 2
You can have trains between cities, ones that carry bikes :)
KrunchyJD 2 years ago
Bacabu30 and MewFushisDad,
I live in the United States (Florida) and I completely agree with you. It's awful trying to get around by bike. In the last year I have been hit by a car once and almost hit more times than I can count on my fingers and toes. I can identify three main problems in regards to cycling: 1) Most people have a "car first" attitude. Cars are supreme and no other mode of transportation is valid or deserves rights on the road. I am running out of room so see my next comment. :)
skastar123 2 years ago
hmmm...that is odd. Since when I got knocked off my bike in Portland OR by a crazy mad hit and run driver(it was actually a purposeful assault as he was calling me names as he did it) as I rode safely and legally .. Even though I had FOUR adult witnesses ; an excellent description of the driver; and his license plate number...the cops refused to do anything about it! So I went to the deputy D.A's office and they would not pursue it either. I still ride a lot, but, 'Friendly bike town' my ass.
JethroDynamics 2 years ago 3
that sux. Philly also has ignorant drivers and cops who don't care. I currently live in Austin,TX, where supposedly is a silver-star rated bike town. the bicycle fines are slightly higher than for cars, for say, running a red light. And here, the cops don't care. My advice for you lazy, self-centered, "car-drivers" is [dot-dot-dot] PATIENCE !!! I carry spark plugs, pocket blade and fist-fuller.
schrockhard 2 years ago 2
I noticed that almost nobody in the Netherlands wears a cycling helmet, but in Columbia, it seems to be 50 / 50. Anyone else notice that? Just an observation.
yokohamaguy75 2 years ago
I've been to the Netherlands a few times, the bike lanes are always seperated from car traffic. This gives the rider a great sense of safety. I'm assuming that in Colombia, just like here in New York City; most bike lanes are shared with cars. This is probably why more people decide to wear a helmet.
1nterceptor 2 years ago 2
@ 1interceptor , not its only for safety becouse here in Bogota, Colombia bike lanes are totally out of car lanes , bikers have a especial lane
PeopleAndColombia 1 year ago
@1nterceptor Well not really, I am from Bogotá and I can say CicloPaths have changed dramatically our lives in a possitive way of course, they are designed to have a place for trees, bycicles and of course a pedestrian path wich gives more priority to people and environment than cars. Tthe thing with the helmets is because it was initially imposed as a rule for every bycicle user but in time people adopted it and now they´re used to it, that´s an example on how people culture can change :D
Hellzing50 1 year ago
Mexico needs... DESERVES a bike culture... things are worst everyday... it is a punishment to live here...
vansinnesvisor131 2 years ago 2
I'm living in Singapore, which is too dangerous to comute with a bike on the road. How i wish it could be same here. A inclusive society is a democratic society!
duncheng76 2 years ago
Comment removed
mustafaezzudin 2 years ago
Another great place for cycling is Treviso (NE ITALY) and the area between Treviso and Venice. When I was there recently, I was surprised at how many were using bikes, complete with baskets and all! I've also heard Grenoble in France is good for cycling and has great cycle lanes too. Berlin had quite good bike lanes too but not a huge amount of people cycled there though. I suppose their public transport system is so good that you don't really need a bike, let alone a car!
bacabu30 2 years ago
Meant to say: " Berlin HAS quite good bike lanes". I lived there for a few months. In general, Germany is fairly bicycle-friendly. So is Stockholm.
bacabu30 2 years ago
Beautiful video. I came to the Netherlands recently and I am impressed by the peoples obsession with bikes. Coming from cycling unfriedly country, I bought one straight away and am enjoying the ride of my life. Very safe and effficient.
Asmarinox 2 years ago
cool. where r u from originally?
bacabu30 2 years ago
Cities in northern Belgium, such as Ghent and Antwerp are also bicycle-friendly. I wish my city, Dublin, were more bike-friendly. However, our government has badly planned our city for the past 30 years and local government doesn't have enough power. At least though, it's not as extreme as American cities where you MUST have a car. That's so 1980's. Cycling in cities is the future. At least in Dublin, so limited cycling can be done and you can walk everywhere (unlike in the USA).
bacabu30 2 years ago
this looks like utopia.
scott4238 2 years ago 4
What an excellent video.
Examples of an advanced, civilized society.
The United States has so much to learn about this.
MewFushisDad 2 years ago 28
There was a time when the streets were shared by pedestrians, bicycles, horses, carts, buses and trams. Why on earth we moved to car-oriented planning I do not know. Bicycles have just about every advantage possible for a transportation system.
hartleymartin 2 years ago 5
Portland, Or is a great cycling city relative to any other American city I have ridden through. In eight days of riding there I only had 6 motorists shout at me, but to my amazement, it was words of encouragement and bicycle celebration =)
CanWire 2 years ago 5
Wow this makes me want to move. The bottom line, as highlighted in this movie, is the issue of respect in my opinion. American motorists dont respect themselves or anyone else in my opinion. Its not even a matter that these people don't think they can use alternative transportation, its that they gave up long ago on their humanity. If people think they are _better_ than others who ride the bus, for example, the problem isnt one of infrastructure but attitude.
smartererer 2 years ago 5
I have been biking for 20 years. My commute is about 8 km one-way. My biking range now spans 7 counties and 48 cities: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties, Cities from Sausalito to Hollister, from Santa Cruz to Oakland. I am among the people who do not own a car, and do not plan to have one.
BayAreaBiker2001 2 years ago 4
nice ! i live in union city and have just gotten into cycling..!
iwouldbeatthat 2 years ago
To my last comment, I meant were ahead of everyone in the USA.. not Europe
stevemallen1 2 years ago 2
PORTLAND OREGON! BIKE CITY USA! Wanna live in the city and love to ride your bike? Come check us out! Were ahead of everyone when it comes to bikes and mass transit, were also the greenest city in America
stevemallen1 2 years ago 3
i ride my bike everywhere i go. i live in guadalajara, mx. ive gotten hit by a car twice, but dont worry, my bike is still ok.
foxorrockshox 2 years ago 5
I have to say I've met Danish and Dutch people who are living in the US won't even venture riding in suburban America. You have to be a little brave to bike commute in the US. I've been riding to work since 1997 and 2 years of that was in snowy Vermont now in Albuquerque. I have to say the LA commuters are probably the bravest. I've ridden NYC and Chicago but chickened out in most of LA.
rukind72 3 years ago 4
Thankyou
geoffreygonzales 3 years ago
im currently uploading a 16 min. video that i made using windows movie maker it's actually a bday present...unfortuantely, i can't process coz the video is too long according to youtube...how can it be??? i need help pls...i really need to upload this coz my friend is in japan and i'm in manila...someone help me pls...
markikoy18 3 years ago
The max you can upload is 10minutes , some people can upload longer clips, I'm not sure why. Why not split you video into 2 parts.
urbanmanc 3 years ago
awesome video
bikeyellow 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I hate cyclists. They arrogantly hog the road, look ridiculous in those stupid lycra suits and pompously they think they're so much better than people who *shock!* "merely" go for walks. In fact when I drive and see cyclists I fantasize about running them over.
eightninchpianist 3 years ago
awsome cities, i cant help but worry to look out reckless driver when i am ridng my bike in the U.S. I wish the country can be more like those cities
ahda81 3 years ago
Well, bikes are not very practical for my job but I can use it for short trips.
Charles2337 3 years ago
i love bicycle culture im colombian and this is the best thing that has happened to bogota this is such a strong symbol for democracy here in bogota as penalosa said "showing the a citizen on a 30000 dollar car is just as equal as a citizen on 30 dollar bike"..than you!! and i hope to see this in many cities in the world in the near future
juelz033 3 years ago 3
I've got a hi-res downloadable version of this documentary on my website. Google "pedaling in bike city" to find it. Download it, burn it to a CD, and show it to your councilperson! And your mom :)
slovpete 3 years ago 3
@slovpete Thanks!
mito66 11 months ago
lol the narrator sounds very weird
dahgutone 3 years ago
The credits say the movie is "scripted" by Enrique Penelosa, former mayor of Bogota. If, he is the narrator, his English is excellent. I suspect there are more than one language the narrator can speak.
TRUMPHENT 3 years ago
That's because he's Dutch. How's your Dutch?
bacabu30 2 years ago
Haha. I commented that almost a year ago. Don't make a big deal about it. You make it seem like each comment on this video so personal.
dahgutone 2 years ago
I think you're the one who's making a big deal. I just asked how you Dutch was. Ha!
bacabu30 2 years ago
Seriously? Look at your comments. They are like a page long....
dahgutone 2 years ago
So? So what if I have written many comments on this video? Is there a law against that?! All of them except the one to you and another (friendly) one to someone else were just my own comments and not replies to anyone. Don't see how it's an issue if I make comments on a video I'm very interested in. Maybe you're just not very intellectual and just don't get it.
bacabu30 2 years ago
HAHA. I'll take that as a "Comment". Haha get it? Comment... I'm freakin' hilarious...lmaooo.
Whatever dude. I don't want to argue on something that is completely pointless.
Have a nice day!
dahgutone 2 years ago
bikes!
ligterror 3 years ago 3
Sign me up for the next flight to the Netherlands!
Throwmeabone 3 years ago 4
Book me on the next flight to the Netherlands!
stankwho 3 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
These people need to get better bikes like a Trek 7.5FX
Ukraine732 3 years ago
I wish we had better climate and geography in Toronto for cycling. Lots of hills and cold winters.
kamsack 3 years ago
I could only wish fot this here in Toronto. If everyone rode their bikes, we'd have a lot less problems with smog and health issues.
kamsack 3 years ago
show this to the children,
adults, for the most part, are too cynical to accept this,
put your mind on it.
OgoTomO 3 years ago
At some point fuel prices and shitty living conditions will show how much that cynicism is really worth.
sp00n3d 3 years ago 2
meh
OgoTomO 3 years ago
yes!
Radfahrer1985 3 years ago
I love this I LOVE this I LOVE THIS!!!
Biking to work on unhospitable roadways is so frustrating! This is wonderful! I wish my city was like this! This reminds me of Critical Mass.
bluegrayx 3 years ago 4
You know what's funny, in the 3 or 4 cities shown here on this video, I think I saw a total of maybe 3 fat people. That's truly astounding. In the US where we're all about cars and McDonalds, I think I can just walk a city block and see about 20 obese fat chicks.
TracyMacToDaRack 3 years ago 8
Great video :)
I sincerely believe that if everyone used bikes, not only will it help many families bring down their cost of living but also make the city more habitable and friendly for all. You will be able to see the faces of the people you encounter on the street instead of being divided from them by car doors.
amagawa05 3 years ago 6
Not to mention it would solve the obesity problem in the US. Get up off your ass people.
TracyMacToDaRack 3 years ago 5
The healthiest reason to support bicycling is that same realization - people need to interact with each other! Why else do we post and comment on videos!? Bicycling is a great counter to the extreme individualism that is eating away at the US, and helps everything from city and roadway congestion to air quality, general health and well-being, and so much more!
bluegrayx 3 years ago 5
I live in NYC also, car insurance in nyc is the highest in the country. More and more people are riding bikes, and the gov is loosing money yay!
flip2flip23 3 years ago 2
Everything about the cost of living in NYC is higher... higher taxes, higher parking fees. It makes me wonder what makes it so special.
sp00n3d 3 years ago
Answer: NYC isn't special.
drew0mckinney 3 years ago
Read The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. Also NYC forces small dairy farmers to pay for 75% of all city expenses, and so all the farmers are going bust. So NYC is running out of land owners to tax the crap out of. My uncle gave up farming five years ago. That is socialism for yah!
BanjoNaps 3 years ago
Isn't that really dangerous? How are the 'roadkill' numbers. Or are people in cars carefull about bicyclists?
merijn21 3 years ago
bikes have the same rights as cars, i.e. right over left, etc.
and people are more caring for each other in europe than in the US.
GeorgeFlush322 3 years ago 2
Yeah I know, I live in the Netherlands, but I was replying to ahda81. This couragous dude rides his bike in the U.S., which seems dangerous to me.
merijn21 3 years ago
I've been riding bikes in the US for over 40 years. You have to keep your wits about you, but it's not particularly dangerous. In my experience, pedestrians are more dangerous than cars.
arandunagusimm 3 years ago
Not in all european countries.
urbanmanc 3 years ago
LOL - good video but I notice all the bikes are pretty much the same or very similar. That must be good for security of the bikes. Non one will wanna steal a rubbish bike LOL
youfuckingtossers 3 years ago
think you missed the point, its about the bikes being a useful mean of transportation. it shouldn't be about having a flashy ride.
Nitrojan646 3 years ago 5
Just great, no hills like nearly everywhere else. If more places were flat, then you'd have the global warming problem licked.
youfuckingtossers 3 years ago
Brilliant video on Bicycles and Sustainable Mobility, a must watch.
sustainabilityandyou 3 years ago 4
As a bicycle Commuter in NYC, this video is refreshing.
We failed to make NYC more people friendly this month. But this video offers some hope. Something we can use in the USA.
A city for people and not cars and greed? Soon!
Pyrognosis 3 years ago 5
I live in Wales. I love this video,wouldn't it be great if we could all cycle like that. But I can't see it happening here, too many hills, and people are lazy, they don't like to put too much effort into cycling. I use my bike every day, and hills are just a challenge, and I am 70. But there are not many cyclist about here.
538921 3 years ago 3
Megcsináljuk mi is? ;)
hajtaspajtas 3 years ago
see the Street films video from Portland.. :D
gazeboi 3 years ago
wow how refreshing to come to a page on youtube and theres no cussing or hating. If cyclists ruled the world it would be a better place,eh?
vinilla 3 years ago 7
I have just gotten a job in the Netherlands. With my love for cycling, i look forward to ride there
olivertsethegreat 3 years ago 2
Congratulations & best of luck!
amagawa05 3 years ago
Like most of the comments I really like this video. I actually biked in Amsterdam when I was there for a week. It's really awesome, especially riding on those old granny style bikes (apparently that's all the have over there). It's so cool, you sit so high and they're very comfortable. I didn't know Copenhagen was like that as well. I will have to visit that place next time I'm in Europe.
Empty1016 3 years ago 2
Does anybody have statistics on distance traveled in these countries? it seems to mee that small cities like amsterdam or copenhagen people live really close to their jobs...could it be?
lfc3000 4 years ago
It is true that Amsterdam and Copenhagen are not terribly big cities, however from one side to the other can easily be 30 kilometers and many people will still use a bike.
In particular young people that are not yet allowed to get a driver's licence. I personally travel between 50 and 60 kilometer a day on bike on a normal week day, less during the weekends, and less when the weather is really bad. In NL many people also travel between cities on bikes.
TheGreatGar 3 years ago
I think that the majority of Copenhagen bicycle commuters drive less than 5 kilometers to work, but of course some drive longer.
anotherelvis 3 years ago
The average motor vehicle trip in the United States is only 5 miles and less than 1% of 1% of Americans use a bicycle for transportation.
MewFushisDad 2 years ago 4
lol..my friends take a car to a fast food restaurant 50 metres away
paulmpanga2009 2 years ago
Ya know, that's more typical than not.
Most Americans would drive to the bathroom if they could.
MewFushisDad 2 years ago 5
In Dublin, Ireland, people don't cycle nearly as much as they do in Amsterdam/Copenhagen/Antwerp etc...but a lot of people walk. I always walk to the grocery store and shopping centre which is a 15 minute walk each way. It's a great way to get incidental exercise. I think more people would cycle if the government planned for it better. I think one big problem in the States is that cities and towns are designed for the car and often for the car alone. I'm glad Ireland didn't go down this route.
bacabu30 2 years ago
You are absolutly correct. Everything in the States revolves around the automobile.
It is slowly changing but we are not a very people friendly country. It's all about the car.
MewFushisDad 2 years ago
I was in Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium last summer and it's a joy to cycle there as there are separate lanes for bikes (with their own traffic lights and all!!). Off to Amsterdam soon and can't wait to cycle there. In Dublin, the problem is that the city is very low-density and very spread out. This doesn't favour cycling. More people cycled as a means of transportation in the 60's than now. It's been the case that cycling was seen as childish and somewhat 'poor'. Cycling is slowly growing again.
bacabu30 2 years ago
In many ways, America has had its heyday. Unless the USA adapts for the modern age, it'll go into decline, namely renewable energy, fewer cars, more bikes, better public transport and a rejuvenation of the centre of towns for shopping and open spaces, etc. More cycling would also help to combat the obesity epidemic sweeping the States.
bacabu30 2 years ago 45
@bacabu30 100% agree
KrunchyJD 1 year ago
@bacabu30
From my own experience, exercise (just built into life when you get around on foot or by person power) is more important than anything for weight management. My grandmother never touched a diet book or ate low-carb but she MOVED and she was never heavy, never. I am not either unless I stop moving.
alliterati1 7 months ago
I used a bicycle for getting to and from work in Denver, Colorado, year round, over 30 years. In 30 years of riding I have been hit by motorists twice, one was hit-and-run. I received only scrapes and bruises in both accidents but both accidents could have been much worse. Enjoy your ride but stay alive.
barnbuild27 4 years ago 3
ya im 17 and i race bicycles i was hit once when i was 8 years old and i got real lucky but 3 months ago a box truck driver decided he didnt like me and ran me over i am lucky to be alive i would have died had it not been for my helmet, i broke my back my foot my hand as well as many lacerations, I am almost back to healed now but it will be forever pain it would be nice if arizona and the rest of american was more like the netherlands.
babbsiscool 4 years ago
This type of thing just doesn't work with people of North America. We're too attached to our cars and the distances are too great.
therealtony 4 years ago
The majority of daily travel is still within realistic cycling distances though. But yea, we are a little too attached to cars (though I have seen an increasing amound of bike lanes and trails in the midwest at least).
Jakemmx 4 years ago
People will soon get sick of wasting money on high fuel costs, and realize that they don't need to use a car for every single trip they take.
Maybe then Countries around the World will follow the Europeans lead, and start to make their Cities more Bicycle friendly.
ezipizi 4 years ago 2
I think, mere democratic parliaments and structures are overrated in this video. They're no help in Frankfurt, Europe. The city is a dangerous and expensive trafficmess and most of the "responsible" people are glad to leave for their lowtax Königstein mountainvillas after work. They've given up on us, before we even elect them. It's more important that deciders are actually living in that very city: they should be forced to. Even a dictator would learn if his own children would kiss the road.
Arfurt 4 years ago
I live in Davis, CA and life is great in such a bike-friendly city! :)
The U.S. needs to adopt bicycling as a serious mode of transportation.
cclarkjones 4 years ago 3
i had to comment on this video again, i love it. It makes me irritated that people in the US rely too much on their cars. my friend says it's not practical to not have a car. I told him that people don't want to give up their so called convenience to make the world better. I just wish we could get more people on bikes, they're so fun,
akyramoto 4 years ago 4
I agree. I cycle to and from work on a daily bassis and I love it and leave my car at home. We could do with this system in England. London would more then highly benefit with this sort of scheme as there are so many cars on the road today. They hardly move. It's quicker to commute in London by bicycle already. People need to change their habits and give cycling a try. Many car drivers should sort their attitude out, pay attention to the road more and share the road with cyclists and pedestrians
bradg1982 3 years ago 4
Im doing a research paper on cycling. This film is 1 of my main sources cited I hope cycling gains popularity in the states soon. I may have to move to Denmark. cars are illegal good times are legal a real paradise. thanx.
Louisville KY.
poopiebuggie 4 years ago 2
I love this movie, more bikes are more healtier cities worldwide!
Bergen, Norway
ho33st 4 years ago 2
Really amazing! SOmetimes the solutions are so obvius that we let them go without notice.
Bycicles can be a real good solution for the traffic problems of my city, I never realized that.
Cities are for people.
soundgardenz 4 years ago 4
that was the best video ever! I can only imagine how awesome that would be. Sometimes i feel like I'm the only one who believes that bicycling is TRANSPORTATION ( in my town ).
akyramoto 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i hate fucking bickers get the fuck out the way
mikeynike81 4 years ago
wow, you have hate and bad spelling!
akyramoto 4 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
lol bickers, i just hate when there in the middle of the street "bikers "
mikeynike81 4 years ago
America is so far behind the times in so many ways it is not even funny
blradcl 4 years ago 8
I loved this video!!! I am with you about America being behind. So many things came to mind watching such as the Global Warming problem and noise but my biggest thing was just the simple fact that people need to get off their butts and push a peddle the exercise would reduce stress and make people feel better overall.
mikedtn 4 years ago 4
Great
bahrainboy2004 4 years ago 4
In Europe, the roads treat bikes and cars as equals - and there is mutual respect. In Toronto Canada, the car is still at the top of the pecking order, and most drivers seem to resent bikes on the road.
campbell12354 4 years ago 4
Great. Thank you!
CampaignForLife 4 years ago 3
I've subscribed.. Great
urbancyclist1 4 years ago 3
this is great, cities are for people, not for cars.
willhilsman 4 years ago 6
so beautiful system
DeepSpaceWarrior 4 years ago 5
This is exactly how it should be in every City. Long Live the Bicycle......
timesliker1 4 years ago 8
look at all the ugly fat people in this video! :-D
i can't wait to sell my volkswagen as i emigrate from the suburban to city life.
i just hope they start hiring these kind of city planners in the U.S.
someone with some visionary thinking.
lyzardecho9 4 years ago 2
seriously its so hard to cycle in america i mean unlees the traffic is really really bad like stop and go its jsut rediculous i wish they would try to bring the car dominance down here it would make life so much nicer.
babbsiscool 4 years ago 8
I know it seems daunting, but we can do this here in Los Angeles :)
litethinks 4 years ago 2
does anyone know of a video/film that shows traffic hell, i.e. un-friendly city/suburb, that would show the other side of the coin of what you get when you don't pay attention to creating bike infrastucture?
kipchoge 4 years ago 3
Traffic hell? Can do. Google NYC Drag Race, 2004, Lucas Burnelle. Outstanding short doco.
pinkandyellowlily 4 years ago 3
hey kipchoge - check out Henry Cutler's bakfiets-en-meer dot nl blog from Amsterdam. He posted a nice example from British Columbia recently. Long live Xtracycle!
bakfietsen 4 years ago 2
Nice!
utwyko 4 years ago 2
I love this! Cities like LA are getting close with areas like Santa Monica and its San Fernando regions, but we still have some catching up to do.
I hear Austin, TX also has some promising infrastructures for bicyclists as well.
ACTORDAVIDTRAN 4 years ago 2