The bicycle month

Did you know that the average car journey is less than 5 km? Is it possible for you to switch at least some of these journeys to bike rides?

May is the National Bike Month but I think this is only acknowledged in America, but what a great thing to celebrate. Even though Gothenburg, where I live, is definitely not the best biking city there. It is actually the worst. Despite this, I love biking, not only as a way of transport but also as a way of exploring the city where I live. I take my bike to work, to town and to friends. I love packing a little lunch in a container and pedal straight to the closest beach in the summer. To me my bike is freedom and it means exactly zero minutes stuck in traffic jam standing still or waiting on the tram. Even though I have to endure the occasional rain down pour.

We have a lot to gain if people decided to leave the car and pull out the bike. Not only will the carbon footprint decrease, moving your body is linked to many health benefits such as better concentration and sleep, as well as reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases. With less cars roaming about in the city, we would also have cleaner air.

Paris has a goal of having car free zones in the city by 2024. Just imagine what we could do with all the space we have given up to cars. Parking lots could be turned into parks and farmers markets. It would be safer for children to play outdoors and the city would be just so much quieter.