The _Observer_ on "deadly" bike lanes

"AndyMorris" typed


Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:

I don't think so.
David and I were in Northern Italy a few weeks ago and were struck by
the number of cyclists, (both leisure and utility) on the roads. The
terrain was certainly not flat outside Meran(o) but the planners had
made the environment *much* less hostile than we find locally.
There were some dedicated cycle tracks. Cyclists were mostly on the
road and the motorists were patient and tolerant. Our hosts'
6-year-old daughter was allowed to cycle to the playground (about 3/4
mile) by herself on the road.
Her road skill weren't too clever.


Do you think the kudos associated with cycle sports in Italy rubs off on
leisure and utility cycling.

Does an italian middle age fat bloke popping down the shops on his bianchi
have a little bit of a Fausto Coppi fantasy, the way a british bloke going
to B&Q in his mondaeo might have a Colin Macrae moment?

Possibly but there were plenty of very ordinary middle-aged women on
town bikes, whose minds were more likely to be on the road or shopping
list.

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.