Cycling heaven: The African capital with 'no traffic'(bbc.com)
bbc.com
Cycling heaven: The African capital with 'no traffic'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47709673
112 comments
I am constantly saddened when seeing people carrying lots of stuff on crappy mountain bikes. How come mountain bikes have become so popular that they are so much more ubiquitous than all other kinds of bicycles? A (crappy) suspension fork is nowadays cheaper than (any) rigid fork, yet heavier, less durable and harder to maintain. Why there are so few cargo bicycles? Why don't Chinese frame makers make them? Cars would be so much easier to replace if cargo bikes were more affordable.
I have both a homebuilt bakfeit-style cargo bike and a bike trailer [0]. The cargo bike works great for carrying smaller loads, but when it comes to carry large cargo like furniture or building supplies, I find the trailer more useful.
[0] - https://www.bikesatwork.com/store/product/96a-bicycle-traile... (disclosure: my wife and I manufacture these trailers)
[0] - https://www.bikesatwork.com/store/product/96a-bicycle-traile... (disclosure: my wife and I manufacture these trailers)
Depends largely on the style of the cargo bike. Our local IKEA offers (free) cargo bikes, and previously they had much more useful cargo bikes [1] which they replaced with basket-style ones and now it's of no use for bigger loads. Anyways, yes, trailers are great, but for some reason still not massively produced.
BTW now I looked at your (very rich) offer and noticed you don't have any trailers intended for transporting children. Is that not a thing in the US? Most of the bike trailers I'm seeing over here in Europe are for hauling kids.
[1] https://hamburg.adfc.de/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_f22ikea-c_...
BTW now I looked at your (very rich) offer and noticed you don't have any trailers intended for transporting children. Is that not a thing in the US? Most of the bike trailers I'm seeing over here in Europe are for hauling kids.
[1] https://hamburg.adfc.de/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_f22ikea-c_...
Cargo bikes like this one* have become quite popular in Denmark, there are loads of them in Copenhagen. There are also other models, but this one is probably the most prevalent.
*: https://velohouse.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Light-8.jpg
*: https://velohouse.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Light-8.jpg
Yep, and if I'm not mistaken they cost 1500€+, compared to normal bikes which cost 10x less.
I think it's for the same reasons as why SUVs and crossovers have become popular. They have a rugged appearance that seems to signal an ability to go anywhere and a readiness for any situation and any terrain.
And just like SUVs and crossovers, most of them spend 99% of their time on asphalt.
I agree that we need more practical bikes and cargo bikes.
And just like SUVs and crossovers, most of them spend 99% of their time on asphalt.
I agree that we need more practical bikes and cargo bikes.
[deleted]
Cargo bikes are a bitch to squeeze through or store tight spaces. I'd love to have a cargo bike but I don't see how I could store it without moving out to suburbs into a house with a big garage/shed. But then I wouldn't need cargo bike anymore...
And pseudo-mountain bikes handle crappy pavement and rubbish on the streets much better. MTB-like bikes with rigid forks is where it's at though.
And pseudo-mountain bikes handle crappy pavement and rubbish on the streets much better. MTB-like bikes with rigid forks is where it's at though.
In many places, apartment buildings have indoor (or at least fenced / roofed) bike storage.
Yes. And that bike storage would be full in no time if people started putting cargo bikes in there en masse. The beauty of bike parking is they're lightweight and easy to put in a very very compact manner. Cargo bikes take up space of several bikes and require much more space for manoeuvring.
You went from the personal to the general :) I suppose for the en masse case for an apartment building, communal trailers might be a solution?
A rack with panniers and/or a backpack works good enough in 9 out of 10 cases. For the rest, some sort of bigger motor vehicle is likely to be significantly better than cargo bike.
The only good use I could see is carrying 2 toddlers to school. But that's a very specific situation for a short span of time and in the end it's very rare. Looks damn cool in pics though!
The only good use I could see is carrying 2 toddlers to school. But that's a very specific situation for a short span of time and in the end it's very rare. Looks damn cool in pics though!
Bike trailers are also the bee's knees, if you only need to carry stuff some of the time. Plus it's a cheapish additional expense, not a whole new bike investment, if you already have a bike.
There is a coordinated effort on HN to tear down and/or just shit on mainstream western amenities. Such as nice homes [1], abundant personal transportation, and even lawn care equipment [2]. It’s pretty ridiculous to see in general, let alone on a site about technology and business.
1. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19497422
2. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18523630
1. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19497422
2. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18523630
Why would it need to be a co-coordinated effort? I think you will find it is just the prevailing opinion in regards to the future scale and efficiency of humanity. That is something people on HN love to think about so it is no surprise they have come to similar opinions. The facts are dire for the things you mentioned as "western ameneties".
Do I wish that weren't true and that we could all have affordable family homes to live on? Sure, but suburbia doesn't even make sense from a commuting point of view let alone environmental.
Do I wish that weren't true and that we could all have affordable family homes to live on? Sure, but suburbia doesn't even make sense from a commuting point of view let alone environmental.
why would people need to commute at all?
if people worked from home they could have nice amenities, space, low noise, vehicles to travel elsewhere and useless offices could be converted to something that is more useful.. otherwise people pay a lot of money to rent a space that they don't use fully...
if people worked from home they could have nice amenities, space, low noise, vehicles to travel elsewhere and useless offices could be converted to something that is more useful.. otherwise people pay a lot of money to rent a space that they don't use fully...
Just because other people disagree with you does not mean there is any coordinated effort.
All you did was list links where people complained on an Internet forum. Where’s the proof of coordination?
This is a place for things that stimulate intellectual curiosity..
I'm sure Pyongyang also has very little cycling. Eritrea and North Korea regularly vie for the bottom spot on human rights rankings.
That this article tries to pass it off as "diplomatic isolation" is a whitewash and a travesty.
That this article tries to pass it off as "diplomatic isolation" is a whitewash and a travesty.
For reference:
- Eritrea has mandatory indefinite military conscription.
- All local media is state-owned. The Eritrean authorities have reportedly imprisoned the fourth highest number of imprisoned journalists in the world behind China, Egypt and Turkey.
- Since independence in 1993, Eritrea has not had a national election.
- Eritrea has mandatory indefinite military conscription.
- All local media is state-owned. The Eritrean authorities have reportedly imprisoned the fourth highest number of imprisoned journalists in the world behind China, Egypt and Turkey.
- Since independence in 1993, Eritrea has not had a national election.
This article is about highlighting that you can organize a city of 500,000 people without a car-dominated infrastructure (and all the problems that brings). Not every article needs to be about everything.
How has this article highlighted that though? Eritrea is clearly not functioning very well, and is quite poor, so I don't think it is something we should hold up as an example of how a city can be organized.
Cars:
- are energy hogs
- are loud
- are extremely dangerous
- require up to 50% of city land to operate.
Nobody disputes that road vehicles have downsides
On the other hand it is disputed that the impoverished and economically isolated city of Asmara having barely any cars is a demonstration that a city functions well with virtually no access to private motorised transport and inadequate public transport.
(cf Groningen had a policy of actively removing roads in favour of cycle paths to achieve high cycle use, achieved very high cycle use whilst remaining a typically prosperous mid-sized northern European city. Asmara might be interesting as a human interest story, but if you want to make arguments about the superfluity of powered road vehicles you'd probably be best citing just about anywhere else... except possibly Yangon)
On the other hand it is disputed that the impoverished and economically isolated city of Asmara having barely any cars is a demonstration that a city functions well with virtually no access to private motorised transport and inadequate public transport.
(cf Groningen had a policy of actively removing roads in favour of cycle paths to achieve high cycle use, achieved very high cycle use whilst remaining a typically prosperous mid-sized northern European city. Asmara might be interesting as a human interest story, but if you want to make arguments about the superfluity of powered road vehicles you'd probably be best citing just about anywhere else... except possibly Yangon)
> require up to 50% of city land to operate
Where is this number coming from and what does it apply to exactly? It sounds like something that might be realistic in the US but probably not in most other parts of the world.
Where is this number coming from and what does it apply to exactly? It sounds like something that might be realistic in the US but probably not in most other parts of the world.
Tried to be careful with "up to". LA's city center has been measured at 59%. I'll try to find the source again.
But just consider:
- roads
- highways / major ingress/egress
- sidewalks (yup. Don't really need them without cars)
- parking lots & garages
A nice source with color-coded maps - http://oldurbanist.blogspot.com/2011/12/we-are-25-looking-at...
A nice survey/writeup from Vox: https://www.vox.com/a/new-economy-future/cars-cities-technol...
But just consider:
- roads
- highways / major ingress/egress
- sidewalks (yup. Don't really need them without cars)
- parking lots & garages
A nice source with color-coded maps - http://oldurbanist.blogspot.com/2011/12/we-are-25-looking-at...
A nice survey/writeup from Vox: https://www.vox.com/a/new-economy-future/cars-cities-technol...
Those are the links are found also before concluding it must be mostly a US thing. I was actually surprised about this. In Europe there far less space dedicated to cars.
He's saying the article doesn't need to. The article is about how Eritrea manages without using cars like a traditional city does.
The article itself is fairly barebones (not saying this is bad), it covers exactly what it wants - to describe some pictures of the lack of cars. It doesn't try to sugar coat it either, it's fairly open that the reason they don't have cars isn't due to teams of engineers, but rather lack of money to afford them.
> which combined with low salaries, high import taxes and fuel shortages
The article itself is fairly barebones (not saying this is bad), it covers exactly what it wants - to describe some pictures of the lack of cars. It doesn't try to sugar coat it either, it's fairly open that the reason they don't have cars isn't due to teams of engineers, but rather lack of money to afford them.
> which combined with low salaries, high import taxes and fuel shortages
The only way to do that seems to be mass emigration a la Eritrea, leaving a city larger than its population needs; or central planning that builds infrastructure for show rather than actual need, like North Korea.
By the second paragraph, when the authors (one an anthropologist!) write: "Locals lament the departure of great numbers of young Eritreans who have left over the last 20 years because of hardships brought by regional conflicts and enforced national service under a government that brooks little dissent" I started thinking that maybe "heaven" is a poor choice of words.
Is (was) Cuba a heaven for 1950s American cars?
I would say that's a legitimate label.
I would say that's a legitimate label.
https://www.youngpioneertours.com/cycling-around-pyongyang/ ... discusses biking culture in North Korea and domestic-bike only policy, with NK-made bikes being good enough.
Cycling heaven is The Hague, Netherlands, not a city where people are unable to afford the purchase and operating cost of a 15 year old Toyota Corolla.
Cycling amidst toxic car fumes. Truly a cyclist heaven.
kicked off the road and segregated into bike lanes while cars get to keep the best lanes, no thanks, that's not my idea of cycling heaven. I'd use a car or a motorcycle if I lived there. For now where I live I can still ride my bike on the roads. (edited: syntax)
China used to be the bicycle kingdom before its economic opening. It wasn’t even that long ago, 1999 when I first visited still had the sea of bicycle commute going on in Beijing.
Eritrea has a very high per capita pro cycling representation. Higher than the UK, France and Spain, and more far behind Italy. I always wondered why that was so.
The hassle of dealing with traffic has always prevented me from cycling to more places. A city with little motor traffic would be an absolutely amazing place for cycling everywhere!
> The hassle of dealing with traffic has always prevented me from cycling
Reminds me of:
> Cars are the perfect late capitalist consumer product: an expensive, often de facto mandatory, solution to a problem that the product itself has largely caused.
https://twitter.com/mtsw/status/1109082492147884034
Reminds me of:
> Cars are the perfect late capitalist consumer product: an expensive, often de facto mandatory, solution to a problem that the product itself has largely caused.
https://twitter.com/mtsw/status/1109082492147884034
this doesn't cover my use case at all - moving around city 90% with public transport (like everybody in europe), but 100% weekend trips of 50-200 km, often to neighboring countries with very limited to non-existent public transport.
So for us it allows us to travel to places that wouldn't be otherwise accessible at all. I mean remote mountain villages and valleys, hopping to Italy etc.
Of course cars have tons of issues, but sure as hell they add tons of life quality for many folks out there.
So for us it allows us to travel to places that wouldn't be otherwise accessible at all. I mean remote mountain villages and valleys, hopping to Italy etc.
Of course cars have tons of issues, but sure as hell they add tons of life quality for many folks out there.
I'm slightly disturbed by the amount of comments that appear to suggest people in the west "can afford" to ruin the environment with car travel. That boat sailed a long time ago, no matter what your personal finances are like.
What do you mean?
No amount of money in the world can afford environmental destruction. A large number on a bank account won't help you much when you have no food to eat and nowhere safe left to live.
>A large number on a bank account won't help you much when you have no food to eat and nowhere safe left to live.
yeah but that is future mes problem.
yeah but that is future mes problem.
I think it'd be awesome if Eritrea were to produce some pro cyclists. Right now, the pro peloton is, within a rounding error, entirely Caucasian - which I think is something of a shame. To take some examples - while the famously cycle-friendly nation of the Netherlands is extremely strongly represented, China is not - despite the latter state also being known for its embrace of bicycles. I imagine this is almost wholly down to lack of opportunity, with the majority of pro cycling teams being based in Western Europe or America. Would the Kazakh flag be as common a sight in pro cycling were it not for the influence of Team Astana? I doubt it. Hopefully one day we may see Eritreans compete alongside the best in the Grand Tours - if nothing else, it would hopefully stamp out some of the uglier attitudes in the peloton (see: Moscon).
> while the famously cycle-friendly nation of the Netherlands is extremely strongly represented, China is not - despite the latter state also being known for its embrace of bicycles. I imagine this is almost wholly down to lack of opportunity
I wouldn't imagine that. I'd consider two factors first:
- China isn't known for "embracing bicycles". It's known for people being too poor to have cars, such that bicycles are the fastest transportation they have. Bicycling is not a prestige activity.
- China also isn't known for athleticism. The Chinese government really likes winning medals; the Chinese people seem much less enthused. A meme went around a while ago about how China has ~20% of the world's population and ~0% of the soccer players.
I wouldn't imagine that. I'd consider two factors first:
- China isn't known for "embracing bicycles". It's known for people being too poor to have cars, such that bicycles are the fastest transportation they have. Bicycling is not a prestige activity.
- China also isn't known for athleticism. The Chinese government really likes winning medals; the Chinese people seem much less enthused. A meme went around a while ago about how China has ~20% of the world's population and ~0% of the soccer players.
There was a Tour of Beijing[0], with pollution as one of the concerns[1][2].
Perhaps in the next decade, once China has made more effort to clean up its air and traffic congestion, this will return.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_of_Beijing
[1] http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riders-fight-against-polluti...
[2] https://sports.yahoo.com/news/tour-beijing-stage-slashed-ove...
Perhaps in the next decade, once China has made more effort to clean up its air and traffic congestion, this will return.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_of_Beijing
[1] http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riders-fight-against-polluti...
[2] https://sports.yahoo.com/news/tour-beijing-stage-slashed-ove...
There are Eritrean pro cyclists and some have competed in the grand tours.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Eritrea
Your comment makes me think of African domination of long distance running.
There is a lower barrier to entry for running, I don't know if there are other reasons why they do particularly well though.
There is a lower barrier to entry for running, I don't know if there are other reasons why they do particularly well though.
https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/9/8003637/north-korea-satell...
Astronomy heaven: The Asian capital with ‘no light pollution’
Astronomy heaven: The Asian capital with ‘no light pollution’
If you look at photos of Vienna from around 1900 the traffic situation was similar relaxed. Something went wrong.
The state of Eritrea is so bad people are running away from it to countries like Israel taking the risk of getting shot to death in all the countries they pass
Why Israel? Eritrea seems to be half and half Christian and Muslim.
Nothing to do with religion. It's only three land border crossings away, no need to cross the Mediterranean like you would if you went to Europe.
Not quite as nice as Germany or Sweden, but much safer to get to.
Not quite as nice as Germany or Sweden, but much safer to get to.
Perhaps. If you could get to Israel could you not get to southern Europe? If I were a Muslim, I know where I'd be avoiding.
Paying a smuggler to get you across the Mediterranean is expensive, the death rate is high, and many of the transit countries like Libya you'd end up waiting in are seriously dangerous for foreigners who don't have the protection of a great power.
Regarding the undesirability of ending up in Israel - Israeli discrimination is mostly based on ethnicity, not on religion. Christian Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, though economically well-off, are treated by the state as security threats in a way that Muslim Eritreans aren't.
Regarding the undesirability of ending up in Israel - Israeli discrimination is mostly based on ethnicity, not on religion. Christian Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, though economically well-off, are treated by the state as security threats in a way that Muslim Eritreans aren't.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_Israel:
”Beta Israel (Hebrew: בֵּיתֶא יִשְׂרָאֵל, Beyte Yisra'el; Ge'ez: ቤተ እስራኤል, Beta ʾƏsrāʾel, modern Bēte 'Isrā'ēl, EAE: "Betä Ǝsraʾel", "House of Israel" or "Community of Israel"), also known as Ethiopian Jews (Hebrew: יְהוּדֵי אֶתְיוֹפְּיָה: Yehudey Etyopyah; Ge'ez: የኢትዮጵያ አይሁድዊ, ye-Ityoppya Ayhudi), are Jews whose community developed and lived for centuries in the area of the Kingdom of Aksum and the Ethiopian Empire that is currently divided between the Amhara and Tigray Regions of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Most of these peoples have emigrated to Israel since the late 20th century.”
These people could easily become Israeli citizens because ”After Halakhic and constitutional discussions, Israeli officials decided, in 1977, that the Israeli Law of Return applied to the Beta Israel.” (”The Law of Return is legislation enacted by Israel in 1950, that gives all Jews, persons of Jewish ancestry up to at least one Jewish grandparent, and spouses of Jews the right to immigrate to and settle in Israel and obtain citizenship, and obliges the Israeli government to facilitate their immigration.”)
”Beta Israel (Hebrew: בֵּיתֶא יִשְׂרָאֵל, Beyte Yisra'el; Ge'ez: ቤተ እስራኤል, Beta ʾƏsrāʾel, modern Bēte 'Isrā'ēl, EAE: "Betä Ǝsraʾel", "House of Israel" or "Community of Israel"), also known as Ethiopian Jews (Hebrew: יְהוּדֵי אֶתְיוֹפְּיָה: Yehudey Etyopyah; Ge'ez: የኢትዮጵያ አይሁድዊ, ye-Ityoppya Ayhudi), are Jews whose community developed and lived for centuries in the area of the Kingdom of Aksum and the Ethiopian Empire that is currently divided between the Amhara and Tigray Regions of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Most of these peoples have emigrated to Israel since the late 20th century.”
These people could easily become Israeli citizens because ”After Halakhic and constitutional discussions, Israeli officials decided, in 1977, that the Israeli Law of Return applied to the Beta Israel.” (”The Law of Return is legislation enacted by Israel in 1950, that gives all Jews, persons of Jewish ancestry up to at least one Jewish grandparent, and spouses of Jews the right to immigrate to and settle in Israel and obtain citizenship, and obliges the Israeli government to facilitate their immigration.”)
"Regions with significant populations
....
Ethiopia 4000
United States 1000
"
So it seems unlikely Eritrea would have a significant population.
So it seems unlikely Eritrea would have a significant population.
4,000 are left after about 90,000 emigrated to Israel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_Israel#Emigration_to_Isra...)
"Always look on the bright side of poverty and oppression"
I expect better from the BBC!
I expect better from the BBC!
That is not an actual quote from the article; rather misleading.
Just because the situation in Asmara was caused by unfortunate circumstances doesn't mean the outcome isn't good, or that it can't serve as a model for other cities on how to better organise city planning.
Just because the situation in Asmara was caused by unfortunate circumstances doesn't mean the outcome isn't good, or that it can't serve as a model for other cities on how to better organise city planning.
The situation in Asmara is caused by oppression and poverty.
I don't think what you call "planning" is substantially different from "make everyone desperately poor so they can't afford to own cars". Not a model many cities want.
I don't think what you call "planning" is substantially different from "make everyone desperately poor so they can't afford to own cars". Not a model many cities want.
> Just because the situation in Asmara was caused by unfortunate circumstances doesn't mean the outcome isn't good, or that it can't serve as a model for other cities
That is true. The reason this outcome isn't good and can't serve as a model for other cities is that it is a direct result of suffering and oppression.
There's really nothing admirable in creating a desperate population, even if this leads to a different set of vehicles on the road.
What would be the takeaway here for a modern city?
That is true. The reason this outcome isn't good and can't serve as a model for other cities is that it is a direct result of suffering and oppression.
There's really nothing admirable in creating a desperate population, even if this leads to a different set of vehicles on the road.
What would be the takeaway here for a modern city?
Can anyone make out what the brand bikes are those 2 road bikes in the first picture?
Merida for the red one and Cervélo for the other.
How on earth did someone in a poor area get a Cervelo? For those who don't know, Cervelo bikes tend to be in the $4k-$9k USD range.
It's a Cervelo with what looks like an Enve wheel, so it makes me think the rider has something to do with team Dimension Data.
Theory 1:
These might be one of the competitive cyclists that have budgets and travel the world in competitions.
Theory 2:
Bikes that are expensive new don't keep their relative value on the used market very well, you can get those pretty cheap.
(Also keep in mind that you are only looking at the mark of the frame, depending on age it might not have many other original parts)
These might be one of the competitive cyclists that have budgets and travel the world in competitions.
Theory 2:
Bikes that are expensive new don't keep their relative value on the used market very well, you can get those pretty cheap.
(Also keep in mind that you are only looking at the mark of the frame, depending on age it might not have many other original parts)
Its a Cervelo S5 that team "Dimension Data fo Qhubeka" was riding few years ago. Let me introduce you to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanuel_Gebrezgabihier
I’m Eritrean-American. Before clicking the link, I laughed in my head and thought what would the chances be that it’s Asmara.
EriTV, the state sponsored new channel and only news station, tends to showcase individuals that exhibit “Eritrean excellence.” This includes professional Eritrean cyclists that compete internationally, making most respect or appreciate the sport. Even the Eritrean community that I’m a part of in the US will come out and support an Eritrean cyclist if race through our city.
Last time I visited the country, cycling was normal for transport but still too expensive for a lot of people. Most relied on black market parts to afford maintenance. But like the article mentions, cheap and legitimate parts have been coming in since the open border with Ethiopia. There’s still plenty of black market dealings, but business is hurting for them with this increased competition.
EriTV, the state sponsored new channel and only news station, tends to showcase individuals that exhibit “Eritrean excellence.” This includes professional Eritrean cyclists that compete internationally, making most respect or appreciate the sport. Even the Eritrean community that I’m a part of in the US will come out and support an Eritrean cyclist if race through our city.
Last time I visited the country, cycling was normal for transport but still too expensive for a lot of people. Most relied on black market parts to afford maintenance. But like the article mentions, cheap and legitimate parts have been coming in since the open border with Ethiopia. There’s still plenty of black market dealings, but business is hurting for them with this increased competition.
How do disabled people or elderly people travel around Asmara?
In India, cycling continues to be the main mode of transport in rural as well as urban areas, for those people who cannot afford a bike.
But whats shocking is that dedicated cycle lanes are rare and cyclists have to ply on the same roads that carry cars, trucks etc. I can't recall the last time I saw a dedicated cycle track in an Indian city which is a disgrace since most of the people belonging to lower classes still use cycles as a daily mode of transportation.
I guess, among the explosion of cars and bikes on the roads, people on cycles have either become invisible or they have just been forgotten by those in authorities.
I used to cycle to work a long time ago. After a few Nearly Near-Death-Experiences, I gave up and bought a bike instead. My cycle languished in a corner of my room, until one day the maid that worked at my house asked if she could borrow it so that her husband could drop her children to school and then go work at a nearby textile factory.
I guess, they are still using that cycle while I have graduated from a bike to a car now.
But whats shocking is that dedicated cycle lanes are rare and cyclists have to ply on the same roads that carry cars, trucks etc. I can't recall the last time I saw a dedicated cycle track in an Indian city which is a disgrace since most of the people belonging to lower classes still use cycles as a daily mode of transportation.
I guess, among the explosion of cars and bikes on the roads, people on cycles have either become invisible or they have just been forgotten by those in authorities.
I used to cycle to work a long time ago. After a few Nearly Near-Death-Experiences, I gave up and bought a bike instead. My cycle languished in a corner of my room, until one day the maid that worked at my house asked if she could borrow it so that her husband could drop her children to school and then go work at a nearby textile factory.
I guess, they are still using that cycle while I have graduated from a bike to a car now.
I usually don't wanna be that guy, but this is super confusing to read. When you say bike, you mean a motorbike. Bicycle, cycle and bike are synonyms for the 2-wheeler without a motor. Bike is only used for motorbike, if the context is clear.
I also assume in India most people would use scooters and not motorbikes.
I also assume in India most people would use scooters and not motorbikes.
Hey, that's the common lexicon in India:-
Bike -> Motorbike
Cycle -> Bicycle
Edit: Also scooters are super rare these days. Motorbikes provide more mileage and are easier to maintain and have longer life. The number of scooters on Indian roads declined starting around 12-15 years ago I recall.
Bike -> Motorbike
Cycle -> Bicycle
Edit: Also scooters are super rare these days. Motorbikes provide more mileage and are easier to maintain and have longer life. The number of scooters on Indian roads declined starting around 12-15 years ago I recall.
It's confusing for me, because bike is used for both depending on context. But when you are talking about cycling, most people (outside of India) would interpret bike as bicycle.
If bike is used without much context, I would also assume you mean bicycle, unless I know you own a motorbike.
If bike is used without much context, I would also assume you mean bicycle, unless I know you own a motorbike.
As someone who spent a couple of months in India (a long time ago) I sympathise with your confusion. But what can we do, Indians say it one way and Americans the other (I have a lot of friends from the UK and they tend to have their own terms for transportation-purposes as well, like Lorrie and Motorway - not to mention more exotic slang like "leccy" for electric vehicles).
After you accept the OP is using Indian English it's not that hard to understand what they mean & I don't think we have to enforce everyone using American dialects on HN for these relatively minor inconveniences.
After you accept the OP is using Indian English it's not that hard to understand what they mean & I don't think we have to enforce everyone using American dialects on HN for these relatively minor inconveniences.
[deleted]
The term “scooter” is also ambiguous, since it can refer to a class of low powered motorcycle or to the optionally motorized miniature skateboards with handlebars that Lime and Bird are trying to popularize.
I doubt a cycle lane would be obeyed in India based on my experience. We even drove the wrong way on the express way to take a "short cut".
In my world vision 2075 AD, the surface will be reserved for cyclists and pedestrians, while all automobile traffic will disappear into Elon Musk style underground tunnels.
I guess in US, but for the majority of the third world, the picture may not be so rosy.
I foresee a dystopia where governments powered by internet and AI weapons will channel the world resources to a select few while the rest of humanity dies a slow death.
I foresee a dystopia where governments powered by internet and AI weapons will channel the world resources to a select few while the rest of humanity dies a slow death.
I've spent the last 3 years driving around Africa - 35 countries and over 50,000 miles. In more than a few cities the traffic (and pollution) have been absolutely horrific, and I've often wondered if there is a large city where biking is much more common.
Biking is very common in rural areas.
Unfortunately I've had to skip Eritrea, although I really wanted to get there. Because of the recent peace deal with Ethiopia the borders are wide open.. but that means for me nobody really knows how I can enter at a land border legally... there won't be anyone to stamp my passport, and so it's very likely I'll be arrested by the first Police that see me, even with a valid visa.
The ambassadors in Ethiopia and Djibouti were more than happy to give me a visa, but they had no idea what would happen if I tried to drive in. Maybe I'll have to go back!
Biking is very common in rural areas.
Unfortunately I've had to skip Eritrea, although I really wanted to get there. Because of the recent peace deal with Ethiopia the borders are wide open.. but that means for me nobody really knows how I can enter at a land border legally... there won't be anyone to stamp my passport, and so it's very likely I'll be arrested by the first Police that see me, even with a valid visa.
The ambassadors in Ethiopia and Djibouti were more than happy to give me a visa, but they had no idea what would happen if I tried to drive in. Maybe I'll have to go back!
I cycled through Africa, from Europe, with South Africa as destination ten years ago (took me 9 months). Fascinating continent.
What circumstances have you driving all around Africa?
I decided I didn't want to spend my life sitting at a desk writing code (Software Engineer), and I decided a life of adventure was for me.
After saving for years I quit my job and drove Alaska to Argentina, and it changed my life.
I went back to a desk to save again, and now I've been away for three years driving around. I've also worked really hard to be a freelance travel writer and photographer, so I can do this forever without ever going back to a desk.
I'll never own a big screen TV or new car, but I'm certainly going to see stunning places, meet interesting people and have grand adventures!
After saving for years I quit my job and drove Alaska to Argentina, and it changed my life.
I went back to a desk to save again, and now I've been away for three years driving around. I've also worked really hard to be a freelance travel writer and photographer, so I can do this forever without ever going back to a desk.
I'll never own a big screen TV or new car, but I'm certainly going to see stunning places, meet interesting people and have grand adventures!
How did you deal with the Darien Gap?
I shipped the jeep inside a shipping container from Panama to Colombia. http://theroadchoseme.com/shipping-across-the-darien-gap-pt-...
What was your initial budget before being sustainable, if I may?
Because by a quick skim through your page it seems it would be in the order of hundreds of thousands (including gas).
Are you able to sustain yourself now with your income while traveling?
Any tips for people that might wish to do the same?
Your story is inspiring, but what holds me back is the fear of not having enough money to do such thing.
Thanks
> in the order of hundreds of thousands (including gas).
This is a really, really common misconception.
For the Alaska to Argentina trek, two years and 40,000 miles through 16 countries, I spent $27k, for everything.[1]
Africa won't really be much more per month than that.
By keeping my monthly expenses low, I'm now very close to sustaining myself while on the road. Some months I do, some I still take a tiny bit from my savings. I'm about to publish another few books, and if they go reasonably well like my current one, I should be good.
My major tip is simply don't be afraid. Give it a go, see what happens.
In five years if all of this doesn't work I'll be sitting back at a desk and I sure as hell won't be sitting around thinking "what if". If it does work, I will be living my dreams.
> What holds me back is the fear of not having enough money
It's funny now from where I sit, the vast majority of people in the developed world are terrified of money. It's really educational to spend time with people that have none, and have no prospects of ever earning any, but are still immensely happy and have tons of time and often find ways to live their own dreams.
[1] http://theroadchoseme.com/the-price-of-adventure
This is a really, really common misconception.
For the Alaska to Argentina trek, two years and 40,000 miles through 16 countries, I spent $27k, for everything.[1]
Africa won't really be much more per month than that.
By keeping my monthly expenses low, I'm now very close to sustaining myself while on the road. Some months I do, some I still take a tiny bit from my savings. I'm about to publish another few books, and if they go reasonably well like my current one, I should be good.
My major tip is simply don't be afraid. Give it a go, see what happens.
In five years if all of this doesn't work I'll be sitting back at a desk and I sure as hell won't be sitting around thinking "what if". If it does work, I will be living my dreams.
> What holds me back is the fear of not having enough money
It's funny now from where I sit, the vast majority of people in the developed world are terrified of money. It's really educational to spend time with people that have none, and have no prospects of ever earning any, but are still immensely happy and have tons of time and often find ways to live their own dreams.
[1] http://theroadchoseme.com/the-price-of-adventure
This is something I'd really love to give a go, but since transitioning I'm just not so sure about safety. I travelled South East Asia on a shoestring budget before I came out and had a few scrapes that turned out fine, but I'm not sure they would have gone as well if I was just a lone woman at the time, especially if I got clocked!
In my experience the places that sound scary are usually less scary on the ground once you get there, but the stakes are pretty high... I'm still travelling occasionally, but mainly to safer places. I hope to build my confidence back up!
Thanks for sharing! :-)
In my experience the places that sound scary are usually less scary on the ground once you get there, but the stakes are pretty high... I'm still travelling occasionally, but mainly to safer places. I hope to build my confidence back up!
Thanks for sharing! :-)
Thanks a lot mate. Truly inspiring, and I don't say that often.
I wish you the best
I wish you the best
> For the Alaska to Argentina trek, two years and 40,000 miles through 16 countries, I spent $27k, for everything.[1]
including vehicle? If not, it can be cheaper. We did Europe to SE Asia (southern route: India and up through Tibet / China). Then California down to South America for less over 2 years (wife daughter and I)
including vehicle? If not, it can be cheaper. We did Europe to SE Asia (southern route: India and up through Tibet / China). Then California down to South America for less over 2 years (wife daughter and I)
I bought the vehicle at the start for $5k, then sold it at the end for $5k, so I don't count it as an expense. I drove it 40k miles and the vehicle cost nothing :)
I've met plenty of backpackers that travel the world for $10-$12k per year. Backpacking is cheaper than going with a vehicle if you are a single person, though a vehicle is cheaper as soon as there are two or more people, especially when you go to parts of the world where it's easy to camp out in the wild for free.
I've met plenty of backpackers that travel the world for $10-$12k per year. Backpacking is cheaper than going with a vehicle if you are a single person, though a vehicle is cheaper as soon as there are two or more people, especially when you go to parts of the world where it's easy to camp out in the wild for free.
Big hand to you for daring to live the life you want to live! Too few people ever grow the cojones required to do exactly that and jump out of this miserable rat race.
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I remember visiting Hanoi, Vietnam in the mid-1990s. In those days, cycling was by far the dominant mode of transport in the city. You’d see the occasional small motorcycle (scooter), but the streets were dominated by thousands upon thousands of cycles, everywhere you went. They must have been >95% of all traffic.
But now, over 20 years later, it’s all changed. Most of the cycles are gone to be replaced by a few cars, and incredible numbers of noisy, polluting combustion scooters.
Air quality has declined dramatically and city streets have become much less pleasant places to be.
The Vietnamese government probably sees this as progress? I think it’s a dystopian nightmare and a huge step backwards.
But now, over 20 years later, it’s all changed. Most of the cycles are gone to be replaced by a few cars, and incredible numbers of noisy, polluting combustion scooters.
Air quality has declined dramatically and city streets have become much less pleasant places to be.
The Vietnamese government probably sees this as progress? I think it’s a dystopian nightmare and a huge step backwards.
The Vietnamese government probably sees this as progress
I'd like to hear one way or another from a Vietnamese person rather than speculate on this.
I'd like to hear one way or another from a Vietnamese person rather than speculate on this.
Considering Hanoi is banning them all by 2030, I don’t agree with OP.
That's great news if true! But is it a sales ban from 2030, or will they work to remove them all by 2030?
Is "dystopian" now an euphemism for "anything I don't like"?
Scooters are adopted because they are faster and require less physical exertion of force to get from point A to point B. Every developing economy goes through this phase where pollution worsens. It is still the better choice than the alternative where everybody lives in a "pastoral" (read: impoverished) society for the sake of impressing visitors who have never had to worry about the same problems.
Scooters are adopted because they are faster and require less physical exertion of force to get from point A to point B. Every developing economy goes through this phase where pollution worsens. It is still the better choice than the alternative where everybody lives in a "pastoral" (read: impoverished) society for the sake of impressing visitors who have never had to worry about the same problems.
Perhaps people don't want to do that kind of physical exercise in a very hot and humid country if they don't have to?
Hanoi is actually not particularly hot. Summer temperatures rarely get much above the low 30s C (~ 90F). For most of the year it's a very pleasant climate for cycling.
This title really grinds my gears. It has traffic, it just has no cars or no congestion. No traffic would indicate a place without roads at all.
lucky them, they have not been kicked off the road to a segregated ghetto like in many parts of the "modern" world.