I am on vacation right now. We have rented bikes for the whole family and we’re making some nice trips. That’s possible because there is good infrastructure and not as many cars. It still could be better, but it is ok.
It is very rural here, and that’s the reason we cycle. I don’t like riding the bike in the city, although bikes are even more the solution for urban traveling. At least that’s what many bike enthusiasts and car hater say.
Don’t get me wrong. If all cars were replaced by bicycles, that would be an incredible improvement. But there would still be a problem with bikes in the city.
The problem with bikes in the city: Parking
Parking spots, for example. Yes, instead of one car, there could be space for five to ten bicycles. Still, these private vehicles would take public space away. That’s one argument against cars in the city, they privatize public spaces.
Like car holders, bikers should pay for parking in the streets. That’s not a thing right now, and it would be counterproductive to mobilize people to use the bike. But I think it would only be fair to let everyone pay for using public space.
And a lot of bicycles can use a lot of space. Have you ever been to Amsterdam? There are underground bike parks and still there are parking bikes everywhere.
Move your bike
Another argument against cars is that they are standing on the same spot for around 95% of the time. For bikes, it is the same.
One of the many advantages of a bicycle over a car is, you can take it with you inside. So at least you could take it into your apartment or maybe your office. But if do grocery shopping or meet your friends at the bar, you can’t take it with you.
Sharing is Caring
In many cities nowadays, bike sharing is available, but it is only in some situations a viable option. For example, if you meet your friends in a bar and want to have a drink or two, you should probably not take the bike back home. So you may take the bike sharing to the bar and take transit back home.
This only works, of course, if a renting station is near your home and the bar, which isn’t always the case.
We need better infrastructure
I always liked to bike and doing the trips with my family here in the countryside is fun. But in the city I don’t like it and I feel unsafe.
Of course, with proper biking infrastructure, this could change. Nevertheless, a good infrastructure is inevitable if more people should bike.
I’m a Walker
But still I like walking more. You can discover so much more even when on a bike. If I need to be somewhere fast, I use public transit.
But I totally see use cases for bikes and I think you can replace most of the car trips with bike rides, which would be so much better. The combination of walking, cycling and public transit is the best option and will be the future in our cities.
My name is Ian DeBay.
I am the founder of iandebay.com. I am a content creator, blogger, podcast, YouTuber. This is my blog where I talk about system change, sustainability and other fun stuff.