For Japanese city cyclists, gaman spirit rules the road

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"...it’s not that they don’t like their cars in Japan. It’s just that cycling makes sense." 

After Mikael Coville-Anderson of Copenhagenize (a very nice Bicycle Culture blog), ranked Japan as the world's third greatest cycling nation behind European heavyweights Netherlands and Denmark in a recent blog post, Tokyo by Bike took it upon themselves to provide some interesting information about why, despite the lack of dedicated lanes or pavements in some cases, cycling in Japan is booming and the gaman spirit rules the road. 

For city cyclists on this side of the world, it makes for an enlightening read, particularly for bike commuters in cities like London, where a workable city cycling infrastructure is still seemingly decades away. You can check it out here.
Posted by alwaysriding
 

City Cycling's Long Game

Cyclinginamsterdam

Not perhaps best known for their cycling features, nevertheless it was with interest that we read a revealing interview held by the Hindu Business Line with Mr Roelof Wittink, the Director of the Dutch Cycling Embassy. With India facing increasing urban space and climate pressures, it's unsurprising that they would look to the Netherlands as an example of what it takes to truly embed cycling at the core of urban life; yet what the article finds is that integrating cycling is a long game, and one that most cities have yet to join.

Here's the link to the article:

Posted by alwaysriding
 

Do I have to dress in day glo lycra? Not in this city!

A nice question and answer here from The Daily Telegraph's Chris Maillard about the necessity, or lack thereof, of wearing lycra during your daily commute.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/a-little-different/more_sport_questions/...

The only addition we would have made is a link to Muxu (pronounced 'Moo Shoe') of Barcelona, who are about to launch some very nice Japanese Denim Cycling Jeans in the next few weeks: http://www.muxu.cc

Tally ho and thanks Chris for the mention!

Posted by alwaysriding
 

Muxu, Barcelona Inspired Cycle Wear









 

When a new brand appears, we always take note, but when that brand is from Barcelona, and about to release some of the most stylish and well thought out city cycling apparel we have ever seen, then we really pay attention. We'll leave the details for another time, but suffice it to say we flew out to be with the guys from Muxu for their first photo shoot, and the video above is our very low res memory of the day.

Always Riding will be the exclusive UK online store for Muxu, but the brand will also have their own store. However, the best place to find out more is on the Muxu Facebook page: facebook.com/muxu.cc

Posted by alwaysriding
 

Una gran idea

Que os parece? Yo creo que es mucho más seguro que llevar a los niños en la parte de detrás de la bicicleta!

 http://www.parasaber.com/deportes/bicicletas/bicicleta-urbana/articulo/bicicl...

http://www.taga.nl/Gallery.asp?lang=eng

 

20090518psabic_1.jpg

Posted