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I've just finished watching this fantastic ten minute film about traffic in Copenhagen. You should watch it too:
Here are some notes I jotted down while watching it, to give you a flavor:
* Commuting traffic: 1/3 bike, 1/3 public transport, 1/3 private car * Very few helmets * Normal clothes, including skirts * Baskets * Some fantastic bikes! * 4 lane road, with heavy traffic, reconfigured to take space from cars to give to bikes - same capacity as before, but slower and safer * About five minutes in, pedestrianised shopping area - with bikes! * Removed car parking, to create a "people street" * Pedestrian-priority street - open to pedestrians, bikes and cars - two way for bikes and people, one way for cars - a mix of users, cars go really slow. Less rigid on pedestrians or car streets, now mixing them safely * Bike investment is small money compared to cars investment * Do it a bit at a time; never have a big plan to switch from cars to people, because you'll lose the election - people will think it's impossible, but it isn't.