European Cycling myths & perspective for politicians
Politicians & the cycle lobby love to compare the UK with Europe & give the impression that Europe is dominated by the cycle & especially the racing, Spandex, Lycra clad style a la Wiggins. It isn't.
We have always held that, of course, countries who were occupied for five years, as France, Belgium, & the Netherlands were as recently as 1945, by necessity, would have turned to cycling & horse drawn transport whilst the Western world was already leaning more on motor transport for commerce and supplies. This has undoubtedly influenced attitudes towards cycling in Europe and especially where the terrain is relatively flat too. Even so, any impression that Europe is a majority based, cycling dependent centre can be very quickly dispelled by touring around Europe's cities and countryside.
Our founder has just travelled around Europe from Calais to the Czech Republic & Poland and was surprised just how little cycling he encountered and especially the lack of racing style a la Wiggins and Spandex which was indeed rare compared to the UK. Here are some snap shots.
Bruges. Nice sedate uprights. No Spandex in sight.
As is common in UK, patient drivers await a
lone sedate rider
Functional sedate uprights preferred in Europe
it seems
So Liage doesn't need cars?
Where are the bikes?
Bruges? Dresden? Where's the Spandex?
So much for cycling dominates in Europe then!
