I feel like the bicycle is one of the most wonderful inventions of mankind. How many other inventions have achieved such a delicate ratio between engineering sophistication, fixing my bicycles, and empowering of humanity?
I am now based in Denmark, and the cycling culture was definitely a strong factor in my decision. Most of my thoughts and attitudes toward the use of the bicycle in daily life were informed by years of cycling back home.
I'm also interested and willing to write or participate in broader discussions on the theme of cycling and urbanism: here's a small article for Braga Ciclável, and another for Comunidade Cultura e Arte. Some of my previous writings on bicycles are quite naive and add little to the much more mature discourse that can be found elsewhere, but I'll keep them around, and challenge them, and have them grow. For example,
The bicycle is arguably one of the strongest assets in navigating a city. Urban planning that doesn't take it into consideration is, in my opinion, a failed project.
Well, this one is not so bad.
The bicycle is ecological, by not relying on fossil fuels and so you can be a little smug about contributing slightly less to the world's evils.
Hmm. Rather pedantic, but technically not wrong?
E-bikes, although overkill in most of the scenarios for city urban commute, make cities more accessible for all. And accessibility is very important.
I have distinct memories of cycling around the city at night, feeling like the Stranger Things' kids. I've heard other people say it too.