More inspiration from Denmark

From the Valley Advocate (Easthampton, MA), 06.21.07:

Free Sport: The Wheel Deal
In Denmark, dedicated bike lanes and free loaner bikes make transportation easy on the environment and the pocketbook.

In the U.S., bike paths fill up on weekends with Lycra-clad recreationalists, but are often much less used during commuting hours. In Denmark, one sees relatively few cyclists obviously using bikes for pure recreation. Danish cyclists have to get to work, so they're pedaling in suits or dresses, even high heels.

The Danes use their bikes to go out to dinner, see a movie, or visit relatives across town. So bikes in Denmark are equipped much differently. The seats are broad and comfy, not styled as a tight vee. On the back there is a sturdy welded rack, capable of easily accommodating a passenger in a pinch. Then there are the lights. The vast majority still favor the old dynamo style that grinds against your tire to generate electricity for the back red light and front headlamp. (Read more.)

American bike advocates can take much inspiration from Europe, where bicycling is treated as a serious transportation mode. Don't you wish more U.S. journalists, like the non-journalist author of this article, would travel abroad and pay attention?

Image: Web capture. Bicyclists near the train station in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Visit: Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips Site