The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Friday.
Local news
A telling snapshot
In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion in busy cities, the Cycling Promotion Fund has re-staged a famous 1991 photograph in Canberra demonstrating the space required to transport the same number of people by bus, bike and car, revealing that 69 cars take up the same amount of road as 16 buses or 600 bicycles.
Victoria powers up
Victorian minister for roads Terry Mulder has announced that Victorians may now legally ride electric bikes that use a maximum of 250 watts, as opposed to the previous 200 watts, opening up the market for more more powerful European electric bikes in Australia.
Sandy Bay bikeway
The proposed Sandy Bay bike path in Hobart, considered a harbinger of better bike infrastructure in the city, could turn out to be a dud following a council decision to insist on retaining a handful of redundant car parking spaces along the route.
International news
Olympians call for safer riding conditions
UK’s ‘queen of the velodrome’ Victoria Pendleton and three fellow Olympians have come forward asking for better infrastructure and driver education to make England’s roads safer and more appealing to riders, admitting that even they feel intimidated riding in the current conditions.
Safety in numbers
A new study in Philadelphia shows that the number of collisions involving bikes halved between 1998-2010, while the number of people riding has more than doubled since 2002, proving that the more riders that are seen on the roads, the safer they become.
81-year-old woman pedals to world record
Make yourself a piping hot cuppa and take a look at how a Welsh grandmother made it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Health
Health at every size
Despite what the media and diet industry tells us and contrary to popular opinion, being skinny doesn’t equal being healthy.
Video
Bubble wrap your babies!
Check out this witty video about getting the kids to school without using a car.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SaIlD1WF8o]
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