Sponsorul nostru este Brompton. Bicicleta pliabila care ii scapa pe bucuresteni (si nu numai) de grija disconfortului de a cara si depozita bicicleta atunci cand pleaca cu ea la serviciu, la scoala sau la plimbare.
La conferinta “Bucurestiul Creste Verde”, in cadrul careia Primaria Generala si-a anuntat strategia verde pentru Bucuresti, Brompton-ul meu a stat in fata prezidiului la care au luat cuvantul toti directorii Directiilor de Infrastructura, Transport si Sistematizare din PMB. Cu tupeu, l-am asezat sugestiv, pentru a demonstra ca bicicleta poate fi un mijloc de transport util, chiar si atunci cand esti imbracat la costum si participi la o conferinta.
Multumiri Asociatiei KOGAYON (Nicoleta Marin & team) si reprezentantilor CENTRULUI CEH din Bucuresti (Ana Alexandra Blidaru & team) pentru invitatia pe care mi-au facut-o de a tine o prezentare cu tema “Bicicleta, Mijloc alternativ de transport urban“ ce face parte dintr-o serie larga de prezentari si dezbateri pe teme de protectia si conservarea mediului, cu scop informativ si adresate publicului larg.
Am avut joi, 25 septembrie 2008, ocazia sa ii cunosc si sa aflu de programul lor comun Focus Ecology.
Am impachetat repede cateva borcane cu aer curat, cateva materiale de promovare a campaniei “Be a changer” si educativele mele (extrase din codul rutier, fluturasi de atentionare, teorie despre standarde de cai de comunicatie pentru bicle) si dus am fost pe bicicleta pliabila invelit in pelerina de ploaie marca “umbrela verde” ca sa fiu ecologist din cap pana in picioare 
Am dat nas cu cateva zeci de studenti din rasa “pedestrienilor” dar pe care sper ca i-am convertit.
Celor reticenti cu privire la confortul utilizarii bicicletei in orasul aglomerat, le-am facut o demonstratie practica de pliabilitate
Biciclete pliabile de vanzare online.
Ii multumesc si Daliei de la RealitateaTeVe, care a venit sa traga un cadru cu mine in telespectatori, pentru ca mi-a declarat ca este o biciclista convinsa!
PS: am solicitat o discutie cu cei de la Kogayon, in vederea eliminarii interdictiei de intra cu bicicleta in Parcul National Buila – Vanturarita. Ei administreaza acest parc, in parteneriat cu Directia Silvica Ramnicu Valcea.
by Rupert Wolfe Murray on 25.06.2008
Imagine a form of transport that is virtually free, gets you healthy, and can get you anywhere within Bucharest in less than an hour. Is the humble bicycle the answer to our transport problems?
Anxiety is growing about the price of oil, which has quadrupled in recent years and shows no sign of coming down in price. Suddenly, renewable energy and alternative forms of transport are looking more attractive than ever before.
As a long term resident of Bucharest (I first came here in 1986) I can guarantee that there is no better way of getting around town than a bicycle; it is fast, cheap and healthy. And I have tried it all: car, bus, tram, metro, foot, skateboard. Cycling is ideal for business people as they value their time, health and money. But you do have to be aware of the risks.
There’s no point dabbling in cycling. If you get a cheap bike, you will have immediate maintenance problems and you will feel unsafe in traffic (and it will take up a lot of space). But if you are willing to invest in a serious bike, and all the accoutrements, you will feel in control when in the middle of Piata Victoria, you will be able to repair that puncture, keep your documents flat, and stay dry in an unexpected downpour. A good bike will last for generations.
People say cycling in Bucharest is for madmen: the traffic is too dangerous; the pollution is awful; the drivers are terrible; etc. Not true. I find Bucharest a great city to cycle in, but I have the advantage of having been an experienced driver: it is essential to observe, understand and predict the behaviour of drivers; and you also need to show them respect. I also invest in great bikes, but far less than I ever spent on cars. I recently bought a Moulton Touring Bike for about USD 2000 and people think I am mad. But when I spent ten times that amount on the Honda Accord it was considered a wise decision (I subsequently ditched the car.)
Over the years I have discovered a network of pavements, parks and tracks that can get me across town in a spirit of discovery and tranquility (and at speed). When I am on the open road I compete with the cars in terms of speed and I also respect the rules of the road. I even take my kid to Kindergarten by bike every day. I find Bucharest drivers actually quite attentive and my main rule of survival is “Be seen. Be predictable”, in other words don’t appear out of nowhere, don’t slalom, keep in a straight line, stop at red lights, respect the (unwritten) rules of the traffic. Above all, don’t behave like a stunt rider.
What about the heat? The rain? And getting to the office all sweaty? And parking? Theft? None of these are problems, although everyone assumes they are. Dealing with the heat is easy; I just go to the bathroom and have a wipe down with a hand towel, and often go to serious meetings looking respectable. As for rain, I have a goretex jacket rolled up in my pannier. Parking? Not a problem; there is nowhere where a friendly railing, gas pipe or tree cannot be found. Theft? The Romanians are years behind the Dutch, British and Americans when it comes to stealing bicycles.
But you do have to invest in the gear: you need mudguards (many bikes don’t have them), a backrack, good panniers, a pump, basic tools, waterproof gear, the right shoes and a helmet. A good source for all of this is www.biketrax.co.uk, which is where I source all my bikes and gear (sometimes sent by courier). Only problem is they are based in Scotland.
Fact File:
Best bikes for Bucharest: DAHON. Now available in Bucharest
Best touring bikes: Moulton TSR (see www.pashley.co.uk)
Best folding bikes: Brompton (available from www.veloteca.ro)
Worst bikes in Romania: First Bike
This article was published in Bucharest Business Review, June 2008
Asociatia BATE SAUA SA PRICEAPA IAPA a editat calendarul “Velorutia 2008”. Un calendar educativ, cu atitudine! Cine va fi curios, va descoperi cum organizatia incearca sa demonstreze, cu umor grafic si fotografic, ca bicicleta incepe sa apara peste tot! De cand asta? Daca se poate, chiar de maine! J
Calendarul este realizat cu sprijinul financiar al Ambasadei Olandei la Bucuresti si al sponsorilor care gestioneaza marci precum Kona si Cube, Garmin, biciclete pliabile Dahon si Brompton.
(mai mult…)
Dupa cum stiti, propunerea mea este ca lumea sa vina la defilarea biciclistilor cu bicicletele decorate cat mai “natural”. Impodobite cu frunze, flori si crengute…. Aceasta provocare vine datorita faptului ca bicicleta este un mijloc de transport prietenos cu natura si mediul inconjurator, dar si faptului ca biciclistului ii place sa mearga cu bicicleta in mijlocul naturii ) !
Drept urmare, Firma Rotech Service (Distribuitor autorizat Dahon) va oferi la sfarsitul defilarii din ziua de 22 septembrie doua set-uri de pedale pliabile ProLite Dahon, celor care isi vor fi decorat cel mai frumos si creativ biciclete pliabile. Hai, curaj!!!
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