Is cycle sport encouraging uptake of cycling?

The promotion of cycling as a sport, requiring special bikes, shoes, freakishly ugly clothes and foam hats, and a high level of fitness must surely put people right off. In countries such as Holland and Denmark, where cycling is just practical transport, riding a bike is an almost universal way of life. In countries such as Britain, USA, where it is primarily a sport, we cyclists are a freakish minority, regarded as lower forms of life by some sectors of society.

But the sport of cycling is much more popular in the Netherlands and Denmark?

In countries such as Holland and Denmark, where cycling is just practical transport, riding a bike is an almost universal way of life. In countries such as Britain, USA, where it is primarily a sport, we cyclists are a freakish minority, regarded as lower forms of life by some sectors of society.

Ah, but look at the history behind this.

This almost completely stems back to the oil shortages of the seventies. In those times those European governments sought to alleviate the problems with a commitment to creating and promoting a culture of cycling and sustainable transport as a credible alternative to driving. It also didn't happen overnight and took many years to get right. England and the USA took the view that driving had to be supported as an absolute priority which led to a culture where driving is the norm and cycling completely unplanned for because it's seen as completely undesirable.

Read Car Sick by Lynn Sloman for more discourse on how this country fucked up it's transport policies many years ago and failed to address the resultant legacy.

This more than anything else has discouraged more people from recreational and utility cycling than anything that sport cycling cold be clamed for.

But the sport of cycling is much more popular in the Netherlands and Denmark?

Good point, I heard somewhere there's an amateur race every day of the year in Belgium.

When I spent a bit of time in the Netherlands recently I saw very little evidence of road cycling, but on sundays. So I guess there's quite a distinction between utility and racing cycling. Here in London on your average commute you see all sorts of types of machines.

Ah, but look at the history behind this.

This almost completely stems back to the oil shortages of the seventies. In those times those European governments ...

This more than anything else has discouraged more people from recreational and utility cycling than anything that sport cycling cold be clamed for.

Thanks! Great post.

Cycle sport promotes utility cycling. I've run the numbers and it's truefacts.

Good point, I heard somewhere there's an amateur race every day of the year in Belgium.

Take a look at the BC website, Maybe not one a day, but I reckon that on any given week there will be at least three races open to amateurs.

and she's slaining.

ftfy

Dutch and Belgium roadies often stick to the extensive canal network and cyclepaths. There were probably hiding there! - that said, I'm sure they wouldn't turn their noses up at jumping on their commuting tanks and popping down to the shops, whereas a hardcore racing cyclist here might.

... and I'm sure if you were willing to travel within a 50mile radius of London you could do one race a day in this country, during the racing season.

ftfy

Dutch and Belgium roadies often stick to the extensive canal network and cyclepaths. There were probably hiding there! - that said, I'm sure they wouldn't turn their noses up at jumping on their commuting tanks and popping down to the shops, whereas a hardcore racing cyclist here might.

... and I'm sure if you were willing to travel within a 50mile radius of London you could do one race a day in this country, during the racing season.

Yes, exactly, much less snobby about 'practical' bikes.

Many men start cycling so that they have a good excuse for leg shaving.

FACT

Does anyone in London have a copy of Car Sick that i could borrow? I'll probably buy it, but, y'know, save a tree and all that...

If not, I can lend it to you posted back and forth.

This almost completely stems back to the oil shortages of the seventies. In those times those European governments sought to alleviate the problems with a commitment to creating and promoting a culture of cycling and sustainable transport as a credible alternative to driving. It also didn't happen overnight and took many years to get right. England and the USA took the view that driving had to be supported as an absolute priority which led to a culture where driving is the norm and cycling completely unplanned for because it's seen as completely undesirable.

Also note that those more progressive cycling countries are devoid of any history of auto manufacturing.

In the US, the post-war highway system construction by Eisenhower was largely heavily driven/encouraged by the automotive sector. They already had the government contacts after their heavy involvement in manufacturing during WWII.

Here in London on your average commute you see all sorts of types of machines.

I think this is a little of column A a little of column B type thing. We need to remeber that London is a big city and so many people commute longer distances, I would not want to do my commute on a shopping bike / town bike.

Thanks TSK. I'll be in touch if I don't find it / go and buy one.

The promotion of cycling as a sport, requiring special bikes, shoes, freakishly ugly clothes and foam hats, and a high level of fitness must surely put people right off. .

I saw a fellow this morning rocking the full lycra, skate helmet and plimsole look.

It was pretty rad.

We need to remember that London is a big city and so many people commute longer distances, I would not want to do my commute on a shopping bike / town bike.

I dunno mate, I think it's entirely possible to commute longer distance on a shopping/town bicycles.

As long you don't feel the urge to chase down cyclists when they're baiting you to race them, you'll be fine.

No, I can't. But I read it in CTC mag last issue. I doubt they would have made it up.

Dunno why not. They make all kinds of other shit up.

Also note that those more progressive cycling countries are devoid of any history of auto manufacturing.

Holland has been making cars since the birth of the automobile

Does LFGSS encourage or discourage people from taking up cycling?

Also note that those more progressive cycling countries are devoid of any history of auto manufacturing.

In the US, the post-war highway system construction by Eisenhower was largely heavily driven/encouraged by the automotive sector. They already had the government contacts after their heavy involvement in manufacturing during WWII.

Gobshite:

Cars manufactured in Germany, a progressive cycling country compared to the UK and US: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Porche, smart, Volkswagen.
Cars manufactured in France, a progressive cycling country compared to the UK and the US: Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, Bugatti (German owned)

And that's just some of the cars manufactured in those countries today. Ford also owns plants in both countries and both have over a hundred brands that are no longer in production today.

Belguim has over 80 brands to it's national history, two are still in production.
Netherlands has over 30 with four still in production today.
Denmark, 18 brands, one still in production

This is all information from Wikipedia so the true lists may be even longer.

Given the population densities in question, Western Europe could easily be argued to have a far greater and far richer auto industry history than the US.

@Wigan This isn't sport. This is entertainment.

Does LFGSS encourage or discourage people from taking up cycling?

No

Good question Will, it defintely discourage people from taking up cycling, car manufacturer must love the LFGSS.