The peripatetic Michael Geller reports in:
I’m in UK at the moment, and have been following the recent announcement (on the launch of a bikeshare program). Interestingly, they are called ‘Boris’ bikes’, named after the mayor.
A very impressive two page spread in yesterday’s The Independent on the growth of cycling in the UK:
Britain is on the brink of a freewheeling revolution. A bicycle boom is under way across the UK, with more and more people rediscovering the joy of two wheels rather than four….
And this:
Already the Boris Bikes have altered the character of the capital city. When I first came to live here, 30 years ago, a cyclist was a figure of curiosity. London was not built for cyclists. But our cycling has evolved in its own distinctive way. The thrill of London cycling is to dart among the rest of the vehicles, rather than be sealed off. As Boris warned his new cycling fraternity: “Be assertive!”
Seems like cycling is still an extreme sport in London. When I was there a couple of years ago, cyclists had really intense looks on their faces. This was in stark contrast to the rest of the cities in Europe I visited (or Vancouver for that matter) where cyclists seemed much more relaxed. Bright vests were also very common in London. All and all, London has a long ways to go to catch up with other cities.