How did the Dutch get this network of bicycle paths

[F111]

This short history lesson provides an overview of a way that a small part of the world found the political will to change in a very substantial way, in a very short time. IMHO, the problem of finding the 'political will' to make meaningful changes may not be as hard as it has appeared. But holding focus on a clear and popular goal and stage-managing via a sequence of achievable objectives seems to be part of the formula for large-scale successes like this one. Until the South African cyclists band together as one cohesive group and demand changes, the slaughter will continue.

 

[fabs]

The Dutch government, and Dutch people in general are innovative forward thinkers.

 

no chance of that here

[Guest Latent Blue]

Much easier when Zuma isn't your president, no?

I'm sure he can cycle nicely at nkandla?

[F111]

Much easier when Zuma isn't your president, no?

I'm sure he can cycle nicely at nkandla?

He Is to lazy!!! He will just sit in a chariot and get someone else to do the hard work and pay him with public funds

[F111]

http://jhb.criticalmass.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/318012_10151207916666437_376618191_n.jpg

 

Critical mass JHB

 

http://bicycledutch.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/protest1979.jpg

 

 

Cycling protest tour 1979, Amsterdam

 

There is a substantive difference between the Netherlands and South Africa with respect to cycling. This difference is in the pictures.In the Netherlands cycling was never the exclusive domain of a tribe wearing funny clothes helmets, riding racing and/or specialised bicycles, stressing speed, weight, fitness.This tribe branding of cycling is unfortunately now the case. Governments and general public think and discuss cycling mainly using this tribal paradigm. Substantive changes in political will require a view of cycling as a normal day-to-day activity. Any efforts that counter the tribe view should be supported. So on the next critical mass we must not dress in our funny cloves. We must look like the Dutch in the second photo.

[GoLefty!!]

saw my old house in tat clip

[quintonb]

The one big difference with a country like Holland and a lot of central Europe is that the government's fear the people. Here in Africa it's people fear the government. Until that changes we will always be a 3 world continent.

Really sad but true.

[Dirtbreath]

Also easier to get people cycle commuting when it's pretty flat and no hills.

[droo]

The Dutch government, and Dutch people in general are innovative forward thinkers.

 

no chance of that here

 

We have more than our fair share of innovative forward thinkers here too. Some of them are even in government.

 

Unfortunately the muppet majority rules though...

[DJR]

Soooo logical isn't it.

 

At least in the Cape we have started......

[GoLefty!!]

U'd think that the government would see the economic benefit of making SA cycle friendly.

There's already a heavy demand for fossil fuels to the extent that we import the shortfall. The demand is so skewed due to the love of groot trokke vir die rokke that theres little left to make bitumen to build roads, so SANRAL imports that too...!

Lower the demand for fossil fuels and you start to limit the exposure to importing fossil fuels. Use the available energy wisely and we can smelt iron ores and make higher grade steels and build an aluminium smelter.

1 Million people on bikes is not an impossible dream and thats 1 million cars only being used on the weekends

[Guest Latent Blue]

U'd think that the government would see the economic benefit of making SA cycle friendly.

Ud think that the government would be able to see anything...

[GoLefty!!]

they do see $$$$

[Gandalf]

car free sundays, now that would be pretty awesome

[grumpy]

Don't just blame the government, the majority of the citizens of South Africa thinks only poor people ride bicycles, the more affluent one ride taxi's, we will not progress until we can remove the stigma.

Umongst the white population only fitness freaks in Lycra ride bicycles, normal people use cars.

 

South Africa is one of the leaders in obesity, one wonders why?

[fabs]

http://jhb.criticalmass.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/318012_10151207916666437_376618191_n.jpg

 

Critical mass JHB

 

http://bicycledutch.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/protest1979.jpg

 

 

Cycling protest tour 1979, Amsterdam

 

There is a substantive difference between the Netherlands and South Africa with respect to cycling. This difference is in the pictures.In the Netherlands cycling was never the exclusive domain of a tribe wearing funny clothes helmets, riding racing and/or specialised bicycles, stressing speed, weight, fitness.This tribe branding of cycling is unfortunately now the case. Governments and general public think and discuss cycling mainly using this tribal paradigm. Substantive changes in political will require a view of cycling as a normal day-to-day activity. Any efforts that counter the tribe view should be supported. So on the next critical mass we must not dress in our funny cloves. We must look like the Dutch in the second photo.

 

Exactly - that is my gripe about critical mass rides here.

 

Its a fashion show !