CARFREE TOKYO

- a collection of notes and reflections on urban living from the perspective of a family of five in Tokyo. My epiphany was many years ago, but being hit by a motorbike and seeing my life flash before my eyes caused a sudden change that slowly made me reflect on whether American style auto-centric urban transportation of the Roosevelt era really is a capital G "Good Idea" for civilized modern cities in the 21st Century. This blog explores the good and the bad in urban planning and design, here and elsewhere. The goal is simple - not "death to all cars," just more walkable communities, quiet tree-lined streets, good public transport, traffic calming, Velib style bicycle sharing and a bit of common sense. The bolg is mostly theraputic, so I don't go wanting to throttle every dangerous driver I come across, but partly also out of a real desire to see positive change. This blog explores how it can be done, the people who do it, and how, in many small ways, this very old idea may at last have found its zeitgeist. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

January 25

Finally getting around to making a post. So many ideas - or should I say wishes, for bicycles and better transport / better living. Must remember to write them all up here, in the hope that someone will see them.

Just booked a hotel in Sydney for my trip next week. Trying to find bicycle rental. Certainly not ideal situation. Very expensive for starters. Why does a bike cost almost as much as a car to rent? You would think there should be significant discounts for long term rental (like a week or so) And why extra for pumps, baskets and all the rest? Blimey, every one of them should have a basket, lock, simple pump and repair kit/spare tube, just as every car has a spare tyre and keys. And why are they in inconvenient locations!

Tell you what, if I was mayor I would give a special rebate to every hotel that offered free loan bikes to patrons. Every city hotel should have bicycles.

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