This recent film from Streetfilms.org is worth a look. It highlights the recent upsurge of “women cyclists” in New York, a city that has been making serious investments in cycling infrastructure lately. I like the video because it emphasises the practicality of cycling as transport.
One notable comment at 2’10” shows how ingrained our misconceptions about cycling are. There’s a general fear in the air that prevents many people from giving it a try. The alternative solution they adopt instead is to drive cars, a decision that ultimately makes the problem worse. This is why bike lanes are so important: they encourage people on the borderline of choice to make the switch because they feel safer in the lanes. The safer people feel the more people cycle; the more people cycle the safer we actually are. If people in New York can ride bikes, certainly we in Ottawa can too.
Streetfilms.org: Women In Motion
