27 Jan 2010
Something brilliant and something(s) quirky.
This must be one of the longest clips I’ve even watched on Youtube. Yet I was enthralled by this man’s insight and wit.
Thanks so much to that great blog Auckland Cycle Chic for bringing it to my rapt attention.
Thanks too, to TED talks, for recruiting this man to their forum and posting the video
What is James Howard Kunstler on about? Does he speak about bikes? see for yourself.
If you insist on some biographical info before being willing to click the arrow, try this.
“James Howard Kunstler says he wrote The Geography of Nowhere, “Because I believe a lot of people share my feelings about the tragic landscape of highway strips, parking lots, housing tracts, mega-malls, junked cities, and ravaged countryside that makes up the everyday environment where most Americans live and work……….” (One adds, Australians and NewZealanders as well.)
Now for the Quirky! How about Bike lots in tubes?
Yes, the Japanese are quietly sinking tubes into their cityscapes which automatically store and retrieve hundreds of bikes.
I say, quietly, because the pile driving involved is cleverly shhhhed, apparently
Please note in passing, the type of bike being stored.
One might wonder whether, with a 17 second retrieval time , this sort of parking would work well when hundreds of cyclists all want to store or get back their bikes at the same time.
Now for the super quirky. A hill lift for cyclists. You’ll have to look closely to see how it works
Don’t forget to watch Jackie Fristacky’s film, Councillor on a Bike, right below. Also, check out Sydney Cyclist Forum for lots of interesting discussion threads. (link on side)
Indeed , I now have another council film in mind, thanks to the Forum . Keep you posted.
Thanks for your posts, and the information you create and pass on, it’s very interesting and informative. I always look forward to seeing a new one.
welshcyclist
February 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pmpermalink
The Geography of Nowhere probably had more of an effect on me than any book I have ever read. This effect can be measured by my choices of living environments. I moved in constant search of livable cities, from suburban Washington D.C., to Miami, then to Seattle, and now Valencia, Spain. This book has shaped my own writing as well and I hope to publish a novel that is centered on the American suburban landscape some time soon. The problem in America is that few people know anything other than the strip mall model of urban-suburban architecture. However, when presented with what seems like an attack on their lifestyle, they become defensive and refuse to even consider an alternative. Too many people have accepted a life in which the automobile is responsible for effecting 100% of their transportation needs (in my current model car use represents 0%). I don’t think these people are making a choice, I don’t think they ever felt they had a choice. We have allowed the exigencies of Chili’s® parking requirements to dictate our urban planning with no voice given to the citizens. I feel that the need for a healthy and social living environment is the single most important factor in defining our happiness.
leftbanker
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:55 ampermalink
Dear Mike,
Thanks again for the continuing posts – inspiring! I read James Kunstler’s blog on a regular basis and he is very entertaining. I think he has many valid points and I admire his passion. I had not seen his video before (I don’t know how I missed it as I frequent TED.com regularly), so thank you for that!
The Japanese bicycle parking is wonderful and I don’t think 17 seconds is too much time to wait. I would be more worried about a power (or mechanical) failure which would trap all those bicycles but I’m sure those Japanese have thought of that. I think any new office/shopping building in the city should have one of these installed during construction instead of an underground carpark.
In other news, I’ve clocked up 800km in 8 weeks on my nice sit-up bicycle and I’m loving it. I’ve not had this much fun cycling since I was a child. Not wearing a helmet makes it even more enjoyable and I’m yet to fall off. I’ve cycled in drenching rain and in the middle of the night.
A friend mentioned that, a few days ago on a busy commuter bicycle path in Brisbane, a police officer was stationed for a few hours handing out warning notices for cyclists without bells – what an excellent use of police resources… *sigh*
Regards,
Dr Paul Martin
Paul Martin
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:12 ampermalink