My bicycle in Westphalia |
Starting the tour around the Schluchsee |
According to Nass, this is just part of the liberal, anti-car agenda. It starts with a little pavement marking, and before you can say "euro," we're all sitting in cafes drinking small cups of really strong coffee, wearing berets, and talking about Kafka and soccer.
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Mayor Dave in Madison with helmet |
Coming back to bicycling ... in Washington. On August 14, the Badische Zeitung published an article about the US Capital. It was mentioned that Mayor Fenty had lately opened a bike path on Pennsylvania Avenue, passing the White House with car drivers protesting vigorously as they lost one traffic lane. The city now has 50 miles of bike paths with 30 more to come. Otherwise, bikers in Washington live dangerously as drivers chase them off the streets.
There is this subtle difference between Washington and Freiburg. Here the pedestrian is at the mercy of bikers driving on footpaths. Call yourself lucky if bicyclists come the wrong way as you have a chance to escape jumping to the side. If they come from behind and you happen to hear them, then stand still and pray, otherwise as I wrote nine years ago: In Freiburg, it is impossible not to be hit by a cyclist.
Addendum
I would like to comment on a phrase an American friend recently sent me describing his cycling experience in the States: When I am in one mode, I hate all the others.I must admit I feel similar: I am annoyed by cars and pedestrians when riding a bicycle. Although I am a most defensive driver at my age, I curse cyclists in front of me, and pedestrians crossing the street at any moment, whereas as a pedestrian, I hate any cyclist on my footpath and parked cars blocking it. What kind of atavistic feeling is unleashed here? Does anybody know the answer?
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