p144
Core: ...they stood together at the window, watching the daily bicycle jam turn into a riot on Westminster Bridge.
p 156:
Core: Short, but deceptively strong, she took his hand as they left the hospital and rented two cycles from a hire/drop bubble near the bikeway.
Status: Open
Reality
Public bicycle hire and pick up points first appeared in ?
An ironic twist, and a demonstration that authorities are well behind the trend: in Melbourne, an open day to celebrate the completion of the Eastlink tollway turned into chaos when an estimated 50,000 cyclists turned up. Three months later, the tollway is struggling to meet budget as the number of vehicles using it are far below predictions.
Cycling is cheap, non-polluting and a great way to exercise. However, cycling to work isn't as easy as it sounds when you are in a city that has grown with the easy availability of a car. Each of the
too far? this is, in part psychological: things seem further when you drive than when you walk/cycle (check it out!)
too hilly? hills can be avoided, for a large part. furthermore, small electric motors are a great assist!
too inclement? While there are times when rain and blistering heat make cycling a chore. These times are not all that frequent not always.
too dangerous? There is increasingly a willingness to provide for bicycles in road planning. Furthermore, you don't need to follow main roads slavishly.
avoid main roads.
So, with all that backing, why isn't this prediction flagged as 'confirmed'? It is because, in China, which a few years ago appeared synonymous with bicycle commuting, the exact opposite has been happening! This is probably because an increase in prosperity has led to an increase in car ownership (but at what cost?)
References
(These are drawn from a rather 'parochial' pool. Does anyone have any other references?)
In China, the opposite is happening! (New Scientist May 20, 2006... can't find the article online though!)
...on the other hand, WorldChanging notes that Chinese Bike Lanes are Making a Comeback
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