The Hong Kong of Active Communities
A thought provoking post at Freakonomics; really a Q&A on so called “Charter Cities” such as Hong Kong where a special economic, “better” rules zone, attracted economic growth. Can/should this be considered for developing countries?
If the charter specifies good rules (or in our professional jargon, good institutions) millions of people will come together to build a new city.
People will be attracted there because of the benefits of interacting with everyone else.
In addition to the charter city as a special economic zone, why not consider the potential growth in population, quality of life, culture and therefore attraction of investment and economic development of a special environmental zone. One where the “good rules” for the city are built around people instead of automobiles. It would seem many would choose to live, work and invest in a city where the percentage of cars used to commute is the same as bicycles are now: some .5%, and bicycles and other active transportation methods take the current place of cars at some 90%.
The entire design of the charter city would not be auto-centric: much less hard space, roads, highways, bridges, overpasses, parking lots/garages etc. And, the huge city budget dollars going to supporting the auto-infrastructure would be redirected to people. Sounds wonderful, new types of innovation around quality of place for people and better preservation of the environment.
There is a thoughtful quote contained in the article relating to barriers to change:
I think we’d do our jobs better if we just said what’s true without trying to be amateur politicians.
Sept 29: Yonge St bike & pedestrian lane opens
It was always a bit of a deadly ride or walk from downtown, past the access points to the Gardiner to the lakefront. But, a safer and easier access to the waterfront trails opens tomorrow.
From the City of Toronto’s Media Advisory:
Ribbon cutting for Yonge Street pedestrian promenade and bicycle lanes
Media are invited to join Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre – Rosedale) as she officially opens the Yonge Street pedestrian promenade and bicycle lanes. The section of Yonge Street that has been improved is located between Front Street and Queens Quay. This significant transportation project will result in safer and more aesthetically pleasing conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Date:Tuesday, September 29
Time:11:30 a.m.
Location: Northwest corner of Yonge Street and Harbour StreetThe project features wide sidewalks with decorative pavement, pedestrian-scale lighting and granite-clad planter boxes with seat walls. There are also groves of trees, landscaped traffic islands, new crosswalks, public art installations, and new plazas and walkways. As well, the improvements include a reconf igured Yonge Street off ramp from the Gardiner Expressway, safety and lighting improvements in the railway underpass, weather protection along new buildings, 0.6 kilometre-long bicycle lanes and bicycle parking.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. 2009 marks the 175th anniversary of Toronto’s incorporation as a city. Toronto’s government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.
STRiDA folding bike contest
As I mentioned in previous posts CP24 Breakfast will be giving away a STRiDA 5.0 folding bike on Friday. All this week watch for the bike going across the screen at random times. When it does, note the time then go to CP24 Breakfast and enter the time to enter for Friday’s draw.
Here’s a sample of what to watch for:
Win a STRiDA Folding Bike Next Week on CP24 Breakfast
Tune in to CP24 Breakfast on Monday, and all week. You’ll have a chance to win a STRiDA 5.0 Gloss Black folding bike on Toronto’s CP24 Breakfast morning television news & entertainment show.
On Monday, we will have a commuter race: one commuter armed with a STRiDA folding bike and the GO train (commuter train) racing against Cam Woolley from Barrie to the studio on Queen St. in Toronto.
All through the week during the broadcast, you’ll have chances to email in to win a STRiDA.
On Friday we’ll be back and we will have someone new to bikes riding a STRiDA.
To Spacing.ca: Folding Bikes Sound Expensive
The well followed blog, spacing.ca did a post about savedbybikes.com.
My impression is that it is a good post, and certainly helps get the word out. Many seem to feel that the article made the point that the STRiDA folding bike must be too expensive:
“Yet the price tag was enough to put many them off: $980 + tax can sound like a lot for a bike, even if it is foldable, hand-welded, 22lbs and has disc breaks[sic].”
I suppose I have a number of things to say about the price, but a couple are critical:
The price, $894 ($800 USD) is essentially the global price for a STRiDA bike. It is a very good price relative to the quality and design of this product and is the same or actually quite a bit less than other “high-end” folding bikes. There is an economic principle at work here: when you sell something of value for less than its true value, shortages result. It seems STRiDA’s manufacturer sells every bike it can make, which would indicate that the global price is at least, fair. Indeed bicycle savvy consumers often state that the price is great, or at least, about right. Other folders, which don’t have the ease of use, design and features of the STRiDA are much more. In a progress report on a STRiDA instead of car the writer saved the cost of the bike in one month.
The article states:
Since opening the shop, Steve has totaled just over 40 sales, significantly less than he had hoped for by this time.
I think 40, now around 53 is a terrific accomplishment, but I did hope for more. It is not the price in my opinion that makes people consider before adopting. It is exactly because we chose to do the right thing and target commuters, not cyclists. Our mission is to get those who commute all or part of the way by car to consider an alternative; leave the car at home and ride a STRiDA to the GO Train or TTC station. So, in effect: “completely change your lifestyle and pay the better part of $1000 to do it. ”
I’m not entirely surprised that people aren’t lining up. Given this, again I think 46 or so is remarkable.
Thanks for a good article Jake, and thanks for trying the folding bike.
CP24 Breakfast to feature STRiDA Folding Bike
STRiDA 5.0 Gloss Black
All next week you’ll have a chance to win a STRiDA 5.0 Gloss Black folding bike on Toronto’s CP24 Breakfast morning television news & entertainment show.
On Monday, we are planning to pull off a commuter race of sorts: one commuter armed with a STRiDA folding bike and the GO train (commuter train) will race against Cam Woolley and his CP24 SUV from Barrie to the studio on Queen St. in Toronto.
All week during the broadcast, you’ll have chances to email in to win a STRiDA.
On Friday we’ll be back and we hope to have one of the hosts riding a STRiDA.
GreenPages.ca: about savedbybikes.com
From thegreenpages.ca a post on savedbybikes.com.
Many thanks to the writer: Nathan Shaw, who took the time and effort to understand what we are trying to do here.
Nathan: “Saved by bikes; what exactly are bikes going to save?”
SBB: “Well, cities. Save them from cars. There are too many cars coming into North American cities on a daily basis. In addition to the really awful carbon footprint, the money spent by cities on supporting the auto-infrastructure is enormous and unsustainable. So bikes can help save the city and by extension the planet”
We are targeting commuters who use an automobile for all or part of their commute, and asking them to consider some alternatives. We are certainly a for-profit company; anything else and we would not be able to continue to accomplish this mission. But at the same time, we know we are also doing the right thing.
Great piece, thanks for helping Nathan.
More reasons the world needs more girls on bikes.
Photo via Cycle Style Show.
I came across a post on treehugger.com
I know it’s an important idea, and it’s hard to articulate at times. However, I want to add to it as I get flashes of how to say it on my daily commute.
1. The World Will Be Better Looking.
2. There is Safety in Numbers.
3. Sweat Equity
4. Style Over Speed.
5. More Women Bikers Mean the Infrastructure Has Matured..
6. For Complete Streets.
My Additions
7. Women relate to bikes differently. There is a genuine feeling for the bike and what it does for them; how they go through their world together. Men’s perspective is often about the technology, speed, toughness and envy factor. Women can see their bicycle in a holistic context and that functional relationship with other parts of life adds emotional value to the bicycle.
8. Pleasure over Speed. Why is it that I have to go as quickly as possible from point A to B? I do not know. I get that there is joy in the journey, I just can’t seem to slow down and look for it. I do see that women can.
9 Decency, Humility. I notice this every day.
10. Further to TH’s Style over Speed. Women are not embarrassed to ride some really cool looking bikes, and then go even further and add some additional touches. While men can admire this, we would not want to be looked at.
11. It (more women on bikes) would be an indication that we have made progress on creating safe urban cycling conditions. See here and this article from Scientific American.
Northam celebrates Earth Week
I was privileged to be invited participate in Earth Week events at Bell Trinity Square which is managed by Northam Realty Advisors.
This building is one of only two in Canada that is LEEDS (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certified. Northam is very serious about environmental commitment and they know it makes good business sense.
In a past life, I leased quite a bit of office space throughout North America. I can tell you unequivocally that if I were making a decision to lease space today, any building’s environmental policies would weigh very heavily in the decision. I believe that should be, and is, more and more the case in the new world.
Northam Realty's Earth Week Prize
As further evidence of Northam’s commitment, they gave away a STRiDA folding bike to one of their tenants!
