1/11
A few weeks ago I promised to get back to some of the useful comments I received in reaction to my tweet on #WorldBicycleDay and a retweet of @BuduMalli’s tweet regarding infra change in Amsterdam.
A 🚲 🧵, there is overlap with my earlier tweets:
A few weeks ago I promised to get back to some of the useful comments I received in reaction to my tweet on #WorldBicycleDay and a retweet of @BuduMalli’s tweet regarding infra change in Amsterdam.
A 🚲 🧵, there is overlap with my earlier tweets:
2/11
First of all, these are very challenging times for #SriLanka and I understand some people are unhappy with celebrating 🚴🏾♂️ as many currently resort to cycling because there is no other option.
And yes, safe infrastructure & a cycling friendly code of the road are a must!
First of all, these are very challenging times for #SriLanka and I understand some people are unhappy with celebrating 🚴🏾♂️ as many currently resort to cycling because there is no other option.
And yes, safe infrastructure & a cycling friendly code of the road are a must!
3/11
However, for infra & driving habits to change, considerable scale, demand and clout is needed.
In 🇳🇱 cycling gained popularity during the oil crisis in 1973. And the public demand for safe cycling infra followed as accidents increased.
Since then we never stopped 🚴🏼♀️.
However, for infra & driving habits to change, considerable scale, demand and clout is needed.
In 🇳🇱 cycling gained popularity during the oil crisis in 1973. And the public demand for safe cycling infra followed as accidents increased.
Since then we never stopped 🚴🏼♀️.
4/11
Rain or shine, we take our bicycle everywhere. Yes we have beautiful cycling days with 20 degrees, sunshine & no wind. But some seem to think that this is our average day in 🇳🇱. Nothing is less true: rain, cold weather, lots of wind, hail, heat and even snow do not stop us!
Rain or shine, we take our bicycle everywhere. Yes we have beautiful cycling days with 20 degrees, sunshine & no wind. But some seem to think that this is our average day in 🇳🇱. Nothing is less true: rain, cold weather, lots of wind, hail, heat and even snow do not stop us!
5/11
So why are 🇳🇱 people so fond of cycling? It gives us freedom, independence & flexibility. No waiting for the bus, no searching for a parking spot. Cycling makes us happy, cycling in cities is often faster than driving, cycling is cheap, cycling is healthy, cycling is green.
So why are 🇳🇱 people so fond of cycling? It gives us freedom, independence & flexibility. No waiting for the bus, no searching for a parking spot. Cycling makes us happy, cycling in cities is often faster than driving, cycling is cheap, cycling is healthy, cycling is green.
6/11
In 🇳🇱 we have more bicycles than people and we cycle so much it’s equivalent to planting 54 million trees a year!
When you ride a bike for 7km instead of using the car, you are avoiding 1kg of CO2 emissions.
🚴🏾♂️🌳🚴🏼♀️🌳🚴🏾♂️🌳🚴🏼♀️🌳🚴🏾♂️🌳🚴🏼♀️
In 🇳🇱 we have more bicycles than people and we cycle so much it’s equivalent to planting 54 million trees a year!
When you ride a bike for 7km instead of using the car, you are avoiding 1kg of CO2 emissions.
🚴🏾♂️🌳🚴🏼♀️🌳🚴🏾♂️🌳🚴🏼♀️🌳🚴🏾♂️🌳🚴🏼♀️
7/11
Cycling in 🇳🇱 is not related to class, gender or wealth. If you can afford a car, it would not necessarily mean you choose to use it for commuting or running errands. Cycling or public transport can in many cases be the easier, faster or more pleasant option.
🇳🇱 King & PM:
Cycling in 🇳🇱 is not related to class, gender or wealth. If you can afford a car, it would not necessarily mean you choose to use it for commuting or running errands. Cycling or public transport can in many cases be the easier, faster or more pleasant option.
🇳🇱 King & PM:
8/11
🇱🇰 is different from 🇳🇱, but is it impossible to make a change towards a better cycling culture in 🇱🇰?
I don’t think so. Most Sri Lankans can cycle and many tell me enthusiastic stories about how they used to cycle, when they were young. In Jaffna I saw many people cycling.
🇱🇰 is different from 🇳🇱, but is it impossible to make a change towards a better cycling culture in 🇱🇰?
I don’t think so. Most Sri Lankans can cycle and many tell me enthusiastic stories about how they used to cycle, when they were young. In Jaffna I saw many people cycling.
9/11
More companies, organisations & individuals are promoting or supporting cycling in #SriLanka, for leisure & for commute. The 🇳🇱 embassy has engaged with #RideForLife & supports several other initiatives in Sri Lanka with cycling consultancy from @Cycling_Embassy & Iganga.
More companies, organisations & individuals are promoting or supporting cycling in #SriLanka, for leisure & for commute. The 🇳🇱 embassy has engaged with #RideForLife & supports several other initiatives in Sri Lanka with cycling consultancy from @Cycling_Embassy & Iganga.
10/11
So what could this fuel crisis bring, apart from the huge problems it poses.
It could contribute to the realisation that sustainable mobility, both cycling & public transport, are essential to the development of a country. Both government and people need to invest in it.
So what could this fuel crisis bring, apart from the huge problems it poses.
It could contribute to the realisation that sustainable mobility, both cycling & public transport, are essential to the development of a country. Both government and people need to invest in it.
11/11
I understand feeling forced to cycle is not OK, but some might rediscover the cycling child in them & experience advantages.
I wish that some day Sri Lankans will at least not have to refrain from cycling or taking public transport because of safety concerns or culture.
I understand feeling forced to cycle is not OK, but some might rediscover the cycling child in them & experience advantages.
I wish that some day Sri Lankans will at least not have to refrain from cycling or taking public transport because of safety concerns or culture.
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