Bicycles dare to "run rampant" on the streets of London, stemming from the high regard Londoners have for cycling, where riding a bike comes with "privileges."
Western Perspective
In the past, when discussing the most popular mode of transport in the UK, people would first think of those iconic red double-decker buses. However, now the most fashionable and convenient mode of transport in London is the ubiquitous bicycle.
London in March is still cold, with sea winds mixed with rain and snow occasionally visiting this former "foggy city." On London's already not-so-wide roads, cyclists wearing helmets and carrying backpacks, full of an athletic vibe, pedal bicycles of various styles, "restlessly" weaving through the traffic.
Cars do not compete with bicycles for the right of way
Bicycles dare to "run rampant" on the streets of London, stemming from the high regard Londoners have for cycling, where riding a bike comes with "privileges." The author observed that London’s streets are not very wide, with many being two-lane roads in the urban areas. Where no bike lanes are marked, cyclists frequently weave through long lines of cars. The slowly moving car queues generally do not honk impatiently, nor do they choose to compete with bicycles for space.
Rita Pong sits in front of the Queen’s Memorial carefully inspecting her bicycle, then proceeds to fix it herself. Rita proudly says that as a super cycling enthusiast, she owns five different types of bikes and has even traveled with her bicycle to Russia, France, and Thailand. Rita lives in the suburbs of London and commutes 40 kilometers to the hospital by bike every day, spending no less than two hours cycling daily. She says that even so, it’s more convenient than driving, and cycling spares her from congestion charges and parking fees, saving her several thousand pounds a year. That’s why more and more people are now choosing to commute by bicycle.
To alleviate traffic pressure, the city government has placed a large number of blue-black public rental bicycles on the streets of London. The government has also installed numerous N-shaped iron barriers to facilitate bicycle parking. Additionally, residents can take their bikes onto the subway, all of which create favorable conditions for Londoners to commute by bicycle.
Bicycle athletes number 100,000
Londoners love bicycles not only because cycling is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. At the London Olympics held last year, the British cycling team won 8 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals, becoming the top contributor to the British delegation. A head of the London sports department said that the success of cycling in the Olympics has also promoted the development of cycling in the UK, especially in London.
University student Cindy said she didn’t ride a bike before, but after the London Olympics, more and more people around her joined the cycling movement, and she signed up for a cycling club two months ago. Now, the club organizes members to cycle along the Thames every week.
Clubs are one of the main driving forces behind the cycling movement. There are more than 2,000 cycling clubs of various sizes across the UK, with over 10 million cyclists. The British Cycling Association estimates that the number of bicycle athletes in the UK has reached 100,000 after the Olympics, laying the foundation for the UK to lead the world in cycling.
Olympic venues benefit the public
The rise of cycling in London is not only driven by grassroots organizations but also supported by the government.
The London Olympics built a total of six permanent sports venues, one of which is the velodrome. Alan, a designer from Hopkins Architects who was responsible for designing and constructing the London Olympics velodrome, explained that cycling has very high requirements for both the venue and the bicycles. The London Olympics velodrome features a unique track design, lighting, and noise control, providing athletes with the physical conditions to achieve great results. After the Olympics, the velodrome will be transformed into a cycling sports park. "Cycling will be one of the greatest legacies the Olympics leave us," said Alan.
At the London Olympic Park, the transformation of the velodrome is underway. Colin Nish, media director of the London Legacy Development Corporation, explained that the London Olympic Park will open in the second half of this year. By then, all facilities of the newly built cycling park will be open to the public. Any cycling enthusiast will be able to come to the cycling park for practice, which will promote the development of cycling in London, especially in the economically disadvantaged eastern areas.