 |
| World Bicycle Day 3rd June 2019 |
World Bicycle Day 3 June 2019
Today is World Bicycle Day, a United Nations initiative to celebrate the bicycle, which is “a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation”.
The UN website says that the needs of cyclists and pedestrians (who often make up the majority of commuters in cities) continues to be overlooked, despite the many benefits of investing in safer walking and cycling infrastructure. Today is all about encouraging member states to adopt best practices, improve road safety and integrate the bicycle into their sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure, thereby promoting the bicycle among all members of society. You can read more here.
We are lucky in our little bit of rural France. The roads are not busy, there are many marked cycle routes we can follow, from short circular rides to long distance (coast to coast) touring trails. When we venture into our local towns and cities, the cycle lanes are usually a safe distance from the traffic (where possible) and give us priority, i.e. one way for cars, two way for cyclists, thus enabling a free-flowing bike route through town. We need to move away from the car being king, especially in built up areas, and I think cycle routes can only help this mind switch.
 |
| Katie the Tiny Tourer Brompton in France, Marais Poitevin |
So far this year we have been lucky enough to enjoy days out on the super-cycle-friendly Ile de Ré, cycle tour from Bordeaux to Toulouse (both cities being bike friendly despite the traffic) with the route in between being mainly on traffic-free cycle paths following old railway lines or canal towpaths. We have also climbed in the Pyrenees and followed the Atlantic coast route Eurovélo 1. I set myself a challenge to cycle 2019km this year and so far, I’ve reached 1,408km, this is already twice the distance I managed last year.
 |
| Poppies in the Marais Poitevin |
This week I have cycled just over 100km, with Adrian and with friends, both local rides and a little further afield. At this time of year France is a feast for the senses with hedgerows of elderflower, cottages with scented climbing roses and fields of red poppies swaying in the almost ripened wheat, and if we are lucky a deer or two bounding away from our almost silent approach.
 |
| Marais Poitevin World Bicycle Day 2019 |
The Marais Poitevin, where we clocked up a warm 44km, was beautiful as always; the warmth of the sun cooled by the welcome shady areas with the river running alongside. The dust flying off the dry paths as we cycled alongside the small, narrow waterways with singing frogs, herons gracefully taking flight and soft-eyed cattle watching our every move, with their accompanying cattle egrets. You really do get to experience more when you are out on your bike, there is always something new to see and I never tire of getting out for a ride.
Whether you are a 5km rider or a 150km rider, I hope you were able to do something to mark World Bicycle Day. This post has been linked to the Lou Messugo #AllAboutFrance
What a super idea to get people celebrating their bicycles. I've heard that the île de Ré is really good for cycling. There were a few islands on our recent trip to Brittany that were car free but ideal for cyclists too. #allaboutfrance
ReplyDeleteCar free islands are perfect for cycling, Ile de Ré isn't car free (in fact traffic can be a real issue in summer) but it is well catered for cycling routes. If you haven't yet made it there, I do recommend it.
DeleteA great way to get people to become fitter! We used to do a lot of cycling, but the area around here is VERY hilly, and we are not as young as we were. Funnily enough, we were only talking today about getting electric bikes, but I feel that's cheating!
ReplyDeleteElectric bikes are NOT cheating! They are just a great way of getting people on bikes in hilly areas as well as around town. Poitiers (which is quite hilly) is full of e-bikes, ridden by young and old alike!
DeleteMy area is so hilly (well, that's putting it mildly, mountainous is more accurate) that I just can't cycle unless I take the bike in the car to the coast, which somewhat defeats the purpose. Perhaps I should look into an electric bike....I'm always impressed with how much you cycle. 2019 kms this year is a fantastic challenge which seems to have got off to a great start. Thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure if I lived in the mountains I'd never have taken up cycling! E-bikes could be a great idea!
Deleteit goes without saying that I totally agree with your sentiments here - cycling is such a great way to get about, stay healthy and enjoy the area, seeing so much more than you do in a car! Congratulations on the distance cycled so far - without doubt you'll achieve your target for the year , perhaps even double it! I have fond memories of cycling around the Marais Poitevin, Ile de Re & Ile D'Oleron , such a beautiful area & Im sure we'll be back across at some point #AllAboutFrance
ReplyDeleteIf you are ever back in our bit of France, do let me know, especially if you have the bikes with you.
Delete