Why is cycling so much more popular in Europe than in the US?
We all know them, our two-wheeled companions without a motor (though that's not necessarily true these days, we'll get to that later) - the bicycle! Even though cycling is booming in the United States, in Europe, it is still miles ahead. Why is that?
Why ride a bike at all?
First, let's look at why people choose to cycle in the first place - after all, there are far more convenient ways to get from A to B. However, there are many good reasons to cycle instead of using the car, bus or train:
- Cycling is good for your health
- Less money and more time
- Cycling is good for the environment
- Cycling is fun!
The health aspect of cycling is actually self-explanatory. Exercise makes you fit, strengthens the cardiovascular system and boosts the burning of calories. Cycling is also a low-impact sport that - like swimming, for example - puts hardly any strain on the joints. So you don't have to be in top physical shape to enjoy the benefits of cycling - but that doesn't mean it isn't also suitable as an extreme sport.
What is a decisive argument for many is that cycling is cheap. The purchase and regular maintenance of a bicycle is not comparable to the costs of maintaining a car, petrol prices or tickets for public transport. Do you know the feeling of whizzing past an endless queue of waiting cars in the middle of rush hour traffic as a cyclist? Often you can actually reach your destination faster by bike than by car - and unlike bus and train, a bike can't be late either.
Nowadays, it is possible to determine and also influence the size of your own ecological footprint. Cycling is a simple option to protect the environment: It does not produce exhaust gases such as carbon dioxide, nor does it burn resources.
The fourth and most important reason: cycling is fun! A bit of exercise in the fresh air in good weather - that releases a lot of endorphins. In general, regular exercise makes us feel better - both physically and mentally. JTravelling together is also an ideal activity for groups of friends: A walk in the city or countryside together, perhaps a picnic and some exercise at the same time - what more could you ask for?
So there are many reasons for cycling, each of which affects us in different ways. The question now is: How is it that the desire to cycle is so much stronger in Europe than in America? We will now get to the bottom of this mystery.
Lifestyle
First of all, it has to be said that the popularity of bicycles has also increased in the United States. However, compared to Europe, this is negligible. It is interesting to note that the growing number of people who ride bicycles in the United States can be grouped into groups: Young people, in particular, who are educated, predominantly white and live in urban areas, switch to cycling more often. This is mainly because cycling is considered "chic" and modern in these circles. Sustainability has become a trend in this generation - however, it could be that this will level off again. Moreover, this small percentage of people cycling is not enough to really make a difference.
In Europe, it is simply the case that far more people belong to this group of people. The mere fact that the USA has much more rural land means that many people do not grow up at all in so-called "university towns" or in urban areas at all. In Europe, the distribution of the population looks quite different.
So what should be done? Cycling should also be made more attractive to other groups of people, such as older people, people from the countryside and low-income families. For them, however, cycling is often not part of their lifestyle: it is considered kids' stuff. Cars are a powerful status symbol in the USA, and cycling is often perceived as embarrassing. In Europe, on the other hand, it is often the other way around: people who cycle are seen as sporty and environmentally conscious, while fat SUVs in the city are often looked at with a dismissive eye.
Cycling-friendly cities
Another important point in which the United States differs from Europe is the bicycle-friendliness of the cities. After all, cycling on broken roads, bumpy paths or, in the worst case, in the middle of city traffic is no fun for anyone - not even the most passionate cyclist.
Even if Europe is not always a prime example in this respect, it is still miles ahead in comparison with America. But what actually distinguishes a bicycle-friendly city? All we have to do is take a look at the most bicycle-friendly cities in Germany - the top list is headed by Bremen. The Hanseatic city is characterised not only by designated cycle paths along beautiful landscapes but also by wide cycle lanes on or next to roads that are clearly marked in colour and well-maintained. This way, cyclists can feel safe as they do not merge with car traffic, and at the same time, they do not pose a danger to pedestrians. Cycle lanes are not uncommon for us in Europe, even if they are not always maintained to a high standard. In America, however, things are quite different: Especially in big cities, the narrow and fast city traffic is by no means a friendly environment for cyclists. Often there are no cycle lanes at all, or they are narrow and often lead directly through the city without any bypass routes. It is quite obvious that such external circumstances also have an impact on the residents' desire to cycle.
Political decisions
Who actually decides how bicycle-friendly a city will become? In most cases, the answer is the government of the city or municipality. It is public funds that finance well-developed cycle paths. This means: bicycle-friendliness is ultimately a political decision, and it depends on how much the officials prioritise the possibility for citizens to cycle.
However, good bicycle lanes are not the only decision made at the political level that affects the overall popularity of cycling. If you live in a major German city, you are probably familiar with the principle of rental bikes. These bikes are freely available on the street, and anyone who has registered with the corresponding provider can simply ride on it - for small money or even free of charge. Most of the time, it is private companies that offer these rental bikes - in this case, it depends on how much the city supports the project financially or how favourable or unfavourable the general conditions are.
In general, it can be said: America is spending less money on bicycles - be it on cycle paths, on support for rental bikes or even on manufacturing bicycles at home. Of course, this doesn't help the desire to cycle - the decision to give up the car for once is not supported from the outside as much as it is in Europe.
Another example is the cost of bicycles on trains. As you might know, in many places you have to buy an extra ticket if you want to take a bike with you on the train. In Europe, the style is moving more and more in the direction of "pro-bike", in that the cost of the bike ticket is becoming lower or even eliminated altogether. However, taking your bike on the train for free is a foreign principle in the United States - at least so far. It is quite clear that people prefer to leave their bikes at home.
Do you prefer to stay indoors?
Of course, despite all the good arguments, cycling is not a "must" - not even in Europe. Some people prefer to stay indoors instead of being exposed to wind and weather. Fortunately, there are plenty of activities to do at home - gambling, for example. You heard me right: nowadays, you don't have to drive (or cycle) to the nearest casino to gamble. In the meantime, gambling is also possible from home. At Slotozen Casino review, for example, you will find a variety of slot machines that you can even enjoy for free - because Slotozen is a website that focuses entirely on your free gaming pleasure. Here you will find everything from well-known providers to secret insider tips.
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Conclusion
Cycling is healthy, good for the environment, fun and saves money - the whole world can actually agree on these points. On a small scale, however, there are big differences between the individual regions, including between Europe and America. While cycling is also more popular than usual in America, this increase in cyclists is limited. This is because cycling is simply not supported as much in America as it is in Europe - fewer cycle paths, fewer bikes to buy and also fewer bikes to rent. The image of cycling in America also leaves a lot to be desired. So what to do? We say: continue to set a good example or, in this case: ride ahead on two wheels!
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