Cyclists & Cycling Around the World

IntroductionM

any cities around the world want to develop their traffic culture with a view tomore sustainable mobility and so we are seeing many public transport systems
developing to achieve this goal. Strongly linked to this, there is a desire todevelop a cycle culture which will increase the mobility of the citizens and reduce private
car traffic in cities.
The development of bicycle policy and bicycle infrastructure is different from city tocity, depending on the local tradition, legislation and political commitment. In spite ofdifferent local conditions however, there is a global, growing interest in knowing about
experiences from other cities and thus learning both from their successes and the failures.
Experiences in promoting sustainable alternatives to urban traffic through cycling, revealthat the key to successful solutions consists in an optimal integration of various aspects ofa technical, institutional, regulatory and especially political nature. The common theme
to be found in these diverse approaches, is the concept of a cycle culture ie, when citizens
or cyclists incorporate cycling into their daily life either by cycling to work, education orrecreation.
Developing a cycle culture is an essential part of sustainable mobility. In the articles in thisbook, you will be able to read how increased cycling is improving urban life, the urban
environment and the health of the citizens. You will also have the opportunity to readabout how cycling has a development potential for cities in reducing poverty, developing
democracy and increasing both gender equality and growth through increased mobility.
This book provides a collection of good practices from around the world in order to inspire
cities either to get started, to reinvent or to develop their cycle culture and infrastructure
further. The aim is to contribute to the creation of liveable and bikeable cities throughout
the world.
The articles illustrate the diversity of approaches necessary to the development ofa cycle culture, which is essential if the individual cities are to achieve their goalsof increasing cycle traffic, and thus a more sustainable mobility. It is important to15

establish cycle tracks, but that is not enough to attract more cyclists. The articles
illustrate that it is equally important to ensure the safety of cyclists at intersections,to establish cycle parking, develop public bike systems and to integrate bicycles
with public transport. They also describe the importance of bicycle advocacy groups
that promote cycling and by their good example show the way forward and theyshow how the seeds of cycle culture are being planted in children and young people.
It can be a challenge for those cities that want to promote cycling to define the strategy
that best serves the local conditions in the light of the social, economic, cultural andpolitical conditions. This book is intended to serve as a source of inspiration.
The book contains 25 articles written by experts for example, local planners, active
cycle advocates and researchers. It is divided into seven chapters on policies and topics
important for increasing cycling in cities: 1) Cycle Culture, 2) Liveable and Bikeable Cities,
3) Cycle Infrastructure, 4) Safety for Cyclists, 5) Bicycles, 6) Cycling Policy and 7) Cycle
Advocacy and Education. An introduction to the articles can be found at the beginningof each chapter containing information on the content of the articles and the main
conclusions. Thus, the book can be used by the reader as a reference book in relation tohis primary interests or it can be read as a whole and in this way, the experiences sharedby the authors will be appreciated in their full diversity.
The book contains two Appendices, the first of which “Co-authors’ biographies,” hascurriculum and contact information. The second “Contacts and References” has references
to literature and links to web-sites and blogs recommended by the authors.
Finally, we encourage you to share your comments or suggestions, which can be sent toany of the editors or authors.

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