Why can't Brum be like a European City?
Vienna
The cycleway is physically separate from the pedestrian path & crossing and the parked cars don't obstruct the cycleway! Dream on.
David Hembrow's blog is an excellent source of information about cycling in Holland. The amazing standard of the facilities built over 40 years is rewarded by 40% of journeys being made by cycle!
He also has some interesting thoughts on subjective safety.
This is exactly the BIG problem in the UK: despite real falls in death and serious injuries to cyclists, the perception is that cycling is unsafe. Which accounts for parents concerns leading to so few children cycling to school etc compared to to 60's. As Holland shows, the answer is not to berate parents & potential cyclists about the 'facts' but to provide cycling facilities which feels safe to use.
There are obviously many differences between the UK and Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium etc. But the experience of cycling in these countries is such as rich experience, broken glass in public areas is uncommon and the users of roads & paths happily share facilities with respect for each other.
ps: ok, I admit to being overly influenced by the fantastic experience of the 2008 FlandersTour, a 5 day leisurely pedal around Antwerp organised by HPV enthusiasts.
