Why not a bike? What if France makes a cycling revolution

With dual French and Dutch citizenship, Stein van Osteren has a special relationship with cycling. Naturally, he actively supports France in the revolution experienced by the Netherlands in the 1970s. For example, in this book entitled “Pourquoi pas le Vélo? Envie d'une France cyclable ”, which will air from May 6, 2021.

Netherlands: another country of automobiles making cars ... in 1973.

« At first I was very surprised that the French regularly ask me about the heavy use of cycling in the Netherlands. I didn't understand why it was so special for them. And I thought the Netherlands always rode a bike », Lance Stein van Osteren. « So, I did a little research. I am 48 years old. I was born in 1973. And it was at this time that the bicycle revolution began in the Netherlands. It used to be also a land of automobiles He continues. ” The situation changed thanks to the will of the Dutch people. Today in France, too, everything is in full swing on this topic. "He said.

A big difference

« When the people of the Netherlands started their revolution, the world of cycling was still in the minds of the people. This is no longer the case for the French. There are no more elders to testify that bicycle use was central decades ago. No one else can tell what the streets looked like when cars were the exception in the 1910s and 1920s. », Avertit Stein van Osteren.

« Therefore, it is difficult for the French to imagine what a cycling France could be. A street 10 meters wide with 2 sidewalks and a carriageway with 2 lanes. This is a pedestrian / car binary diagram. This is a real barrier for the bike. But this is changing He says. ” Today, for the French who want a good idea of ​​what they might soon experience at home, it is best to travel to the Netherlands to experience it. », Invite-t-il.

 

The debate supports

Stein van Oosteren is president of the Fontenay-aux-Roses à Vélo cycling association and representative of the Vélo Ile-de-France collective. In the summer of 2018, he moderated the debate following the screening of the documentary Why We Cycle. This film gives voice to thirty Dutch people who explain the impact of cycling on their personal lives and the life of their country. ” Then he was seen all over France. It is a great vehicle for expressing the voice of the French in the city's bicycle square. This is a good advertisement for the city of tomorrow ”, he comments.

« This is in the same spirit in which I wanted to write my book "Why not a bike?" So the reflection can take place everywhere. He invites French people to think about how to experience mobility and the city. I love this culture of debate in France. This is primarily a philosophical and / or intellectual approach. They often do not discuss what is happening on the street in front of your house. ' he pleads. ” I will present my book on a field trip and organize a debate. Therefore, I want to continue to inspire French citizens and elected officials. I put a lot of humor into my book. I wanted the tone to be light and not difficult to read. I am at the disposal of booksellers and bicycle sellers ", Suggests our interlocutor.

60% of Ile-de-France residents want bike paths

« The numbers show that 60% of Ile-de-France residents want the car downsized in order to have bike lanes. For this to happen, we need awareness. Corona cyclists were born with the current pandemic. The virus has had the same impact as the oil shock of the 1970s. ”, Compare Stein van Osteren.

« All you need to do is create a bike network to pedal thousands of people. Then cycling really explodes. Of course, there is always resistance, and change cannot happen overnight. He warns. ”  Some say the streets are too small, that trees will need to be cleared to create cycle paths, and that in some cities the streets are too steep. You can always find excuses to say that you don't want to develop cycling. My book wants to help create discussions on this topic among citizens and then with politicians. He insists.

Do not interfere with cycling

 « We must not prevent people from moving, walking or cycling. We should also not forget about the dimension of pleasure. The practice of cycling is not only because in the city you go faster than by car, and it is cheaper. We also improve the quality of life. Cycling to work is an exceptional time of the day. When we drip we don't come back », Promet Stein van Osteren.

« Children should not be forgotten. These are future citizens. Today they are prohibited from cycling. They sit in seats at the back of a car or bus. Cycling helps them become independent and dynamic faster. And enter the freedom society “He justifies.

« The World Health Organization estimates that you should engage in physical activity for 60 minutes a day. In fact, this is not the case, only 12%. S'Cool buses imported from the Netherlands exist and that's a good thing. This is a good way to teach children how to practice physical activity as they are involved in pedaling. ", - says our interlocutor.

Cyclological

« It's great that € 12 million is allocated for logistics and the way we travel. Large vans take up a lot of street space. A cargo bike can carry 150 kg of cargo. », Enthusiasm Stein van Osteren. " It is important that the cyclology was launched by the state. First for financial support. But also because this measure gains confidence. Thus, the bicycle is registered as the logistic vector of society. "He says.

« There are many things you can take with you. Even deletion is possible. In Bordeaux, traffic became difficult during the construction of tram lines. The Chamber of Commerce insists on the use of bicycles for delivery. So in a big city, it turned into a logistics solution. ”, Glorified-t-silt. “ Shopkeepers buy cargo bikes in my city ", - adds our interlocutor.

Multiple devices

The National Cyclology Development Plan was presented in early May 2021. It includes various measures designed to encourage professionals to switch to cycling rather than using utilities such as vans.

« My Cycloenterprise helps aspiring entrepreneurs fund and learn to use cargo bikes. Stein van Oosteren notes. The aim is to promote ethical and local employment through loans based on energy efficiency certificates. "  V-Logistics will offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to test electric bicycles and cargo bikes. “Our interlocutor emphasizes.

Electric bicycles

« An electric bike is a real lever to change your mobility habits. It allows you to easily cover distances from 7 to 20 kilometers without the need for a car. With 7 km, it is difficult for many to make regular trips on a regular bike. », Indica Stein van Osteren. " The electric bike is helping people find freedom they didn't even know they had. Women play an important role in this change because they think less that moving means being passive. “He analyzes.

Not a matter of culture

« Cycling is not a matter of culture, but of the will of the citizen, and already political. As departmental and regional elections approach, citizens can ask candidates questions about this. ”, suggests Stein van Oosteren.

« For the residents of Ile-de-France, the Vélo Ile-de-France team opened the Yes we Bike website for this purpose. The operation is supported by the French Cycling Federation, which is developing its own actions at the national level. ', he reveals. “ A bicycle has a huge benefit over a car in that space is getting smaller, which is getting denser. He says.

Visioconférence We ride a bike together

“For the first time, a documentary from the Together We cycle will be broadcast in France. This will be Monday 10 May 2021 from 19:21 to 2021:05. It's free and online, but you have to register (https://nostfrancefrancais.wordpress.com/03/1323/XNUMX/XNUMX/),” introduces Stein van Oosteren. Our interlocutor will play the role of moderator during the subsequent debate. This event is proposed by Peter de Goyer, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Paris, and David Belliard, Deputy Mayor of Paris, responsible for transforming public space, transport, mobility, street and motorway rules.

Following the screening of the film that follows the first part of Why We Cycle, there will also be presented: Olivier Schneider, President of the French Cyclist Federation (FUB), Charlotte Gut, Head of the Bicycle Mission in Paris, and Gertjan Hulster, director of the documentary. Video " talks about a bumpy road that led to a 100% cycling society, where three out of four children cycle to school. », Can be read on the digital evening presentation page.

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