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Bicycles to Visit the Queen |
"Read the following and guess who said it:
“Denmark is going to be the best cycling country in the world. Cycling leads to better public health, a cleaner urban environment, and helps us reach our climatic goals. So I will rather invest in cycle tracks than freeways!”
And the cycle happy person goes on:
“My political vision is to increase the modal share of cycling by 50 % over 10 years and that at least half of all new bike rides represent a switch from car to bike. This requires that we build more and better cycle tracks and that it becomes attractive to choose the bicycle over the car.”
Again: Who said that? The Danish Cyclists’ Federation? Some environmentalist group? No!
The person behind the quote is Margrethe Vestager, the New Danish Economy and Interior Minister. The new strongwoman of Danish politics – together with the rest of the new cabinet – has formally presented a brand new government to Queen Margrethe at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen (that’s how it’s done in Denmark). Vestager, along with her fellow Ministers from the Social-Liberal party arrived at the castle – on bicycles.
“Denmark is going to be the best cycling country in the world. Cycling leads to better public health, a cleaner urban environment, and helps us reach our climatic goals. So I will rather invest in cycle tracks than freeways!”
And the cycle happy person goes on:
“My political vision is to increase the modal share of cycling by 50 % over 10 years and that at least half of all new bike rides represent a switch from car to bike. This requires that we build more and better cycle tracks and that it becomes attractive to choose the bicycle over the car.”
Again: Who said that? The Danish Cyclists’ Federation? Some environmentalist group? No!
The person behind the quote is Margrethe Vestager, the New Danish Economy and Interior Minister. The new strongwoman of Danish politics – together with the rest of the new cabinet – has formally presented a brand new government to Queen Margrethe at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen (that’s how it’s done in Denmark). Vestager, along with her fellow Ministers from the Social-Liberal party arrived at the castle – on bicycles.
In this day and age when the world is looking to solve the challenges of CO2 emissions and global warming, the bicycle has increasingly become part of the solution, while the cars are still part of the problem. In 2050, there is going to be nine billion people on earth, most of them living in the cities. How are these
people going to get around in the cities? While significantly reducing CO2 levels?
You will find the answer in the slipstream on the cycle tracks.
To switch from car to bike, from polluting fuel engines to human-powered engines, takes no international climate summits, no complicated meetings between heads of government and large delegations of government officials. It only takes a strong will and good legs. Now, it seems, Denmark might become a showcase of political goodwill. Already the Danish capital has given the world a new expression: “Copenhagenize” – to introduce Copenhagen style bike culture and infrastructure i.e.
Perhaps it’s time for yet another expression: “Denmarknize”
Sounds “nize”, doesn’t it!"
By Frits Bredal • October 6, 2011
people going to get around in the cities? While significantly reducing CO2 levels?
You will find the answer in the slipstream on the cycle tracks.
To switch from car to bike, from polluting fuel engines to human-powered engines, takes no international climate summits, no complicated meetings between heads of government and large delegations of government officials. It only takes a strong will and good legs. Now, it seems, Denmark might become a showcase of political goodwill. Already the Danish capital has given the world a new expression: “Copenhagenize” – to introduce Copenhagen style bike culture and infrastructure i.e.
Perhaps it’s time for yet another expression: “Denmarknize”
Sounds “nize”, doesn’t it!"
By Frits Bredal • October 6, 2011
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