Buying food without all the pollution

1,500 cyclists but only four motorists have been fined after the introduction of new road laws in NSW

NSW is cracking down hard to discourage mobility without fossil fuel, prioritising cars over active transport – bikes and walking.

"Cyclists bear brunt of new road fines as NSW Liberals accused of 'dash for cash' About 1,500 cyclists but only four motorists have been fined after the introduction of new road laws",  Guardian

Cycling has not yet fully infiltrated into Australian culture.

A classical Australian way of cycling. It requires a huge multi-lane highway, bulldozed 'clean' to do a few rounds of fitness cycling.

Australia is set up for automobile dependency. Cycling is done mostly in groups of plastic clad sweaty people hunched on sporty bikes. Fitness seems to be the main motivation. It is sport - like

Manly SUV on cycle path

most things in Australia. The plastic accessories are necessary to not lose face, as one has to display that it is only a 'recreational' thing. Imagine one could think you are of 'lower status', not part of the motorist community that hoards a garage full of fossil fuel machines. The bike is basically a recreational gadget or a children's toy. Youth prefer to hop around on mountain bikes on delicate forest soil.

Once back in the SUV the motorist mindset despises non-motorised forms of mobility. The expectation is for a carpet to carpet delivery via unobstructed roads - but fast.

Status and an absence of a cycling infrastructure combine to make cycling deadly risky for people who wish to integrate a fossil-fuel-free form of mobility on an everyday basis.

Leaders and motorists are in deep denial about the climate disruption delivering an uninhabitable planet. Some see the need to wean off fossil fuel addiction.

The Dutch Cycling Embassy is sharing their know how with Australia. "We read about bike-related accidents, complaints about the lack of cycle lanes, and road-rage aimed at cyclists. It is difficult to change such prevalent ideas about infrastructure...Cycling has not yet fully infiltrated into Australian culture. "

Why don't we convert more roads into bicycle paths?

Why don't we convert more roads into bicycle paths?

One less car

Space gobbling private combustion machines pollute cities. Free public transport and driving restrictions for (inner) cities are a must to keep them habitable.

Cycle to the beach

Rows of SUVs are parked along Manly beach, but there is no parking for bikes at the main beach. The Pacific is acid and hot. The beach is serviced nearly 24/7 with fossil fuel.

Businesses Nudge to use Bicycles in Berlin

Berlin sex workers are encouraging non petrol-guzzling customers. There are discounts for people arriving on bicycles and not emitting CO2.

"Customers who arrive on bicycle or who can prove they took public transportation get a 5-euro ($7) discount from the usual 70-euro ($100) fee for 45 minute session.. The green rebate has helped alleviate traffic and parking congestion in the neighborhood."

It would be a bright idea if more businesses and institutions could encourage staff and customers to use non-polluting bicycles.

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Image: Graffiti, Berlin Wall with crack, by Kobe?