most people in Sweden have more bikes then they do cars… most people have 1 car and it’s unusual to have 2… unless of course you do not live in town… actually a lot of people do NOT have a car. It’s totally normal.. and totally do-able! you never get looked at like you have 2 heads if you do NOT have a car…
The public transportation is amazing! Trains galore! leaving ever few minutes.. zooooming along! it’s soooooo much easier with kids… you just hop on the train and away you goooooo! no buckling up… the kids can walk around.. you can read a book.. eat a banana… text… check your email… I wish wish wish that my town would have trains!!!!! you can work in the next town and it’s so easy… just hop on and read a little and bam you’re at work!
so many bike parking lots! every rides a bike! from the very young to the very old! I seriously CANNOT believe how many elderly people hop on a bike… large rounder older people hopping on bikes! and yes, there are hills here and yes, the larger rounder older people peddle on up those hills… actually……. they pass me up! yes, I have been passed by I’m pretty sure she was 85!!! and I was panting and she was smiling…. it’s just a way of life for them… it’s a very healthy way of life for them… I don’t think they even know how healthy it is for them! I love it!
the road systems are made for bikers! it’s like they have every same rights as cars… There is ALWAYS a road for cars… then a wide road for bikes… then a wide road for walking and strollers… There is never a sidewalk that goes and them suddenly surprises you and stops and leaves you stuck in busy traffic. There is hardly much traffic really, since probably most ride their bikes or walk.
The price of gas is extremely high… that could be a lot of the reason for so much biking… but really I think it’s just like second nature… it’s so easy when the roads are set up for it and you don’t feel like you could be killed on your bike. People are taught in their 1-2 year driving school to stop before the bike and walking sidewalk and then proceed to the road… or before backing out of your driveway to stop and look for bikers and then back out…
there are so many bike accessories… from so many types of baskets to kid seats to lights, bells, seat covers… every large store and public building has a bike stand parking… and yes, there is a path to get to that parking area… every bike also has a cool locking device that is usually at the back wheel… you have a little key and lock and away you go.
even the post carrier is on bike! yes, they also have car post, but in villages, and neighborhoods and in cities, it’s by bike. a lot of other occupations is on bike as well… cool!
it’s quite cool to be walking in a city and have to look both ways for cars & BIKES! and you will see men in their suits on the way to work so stylish and not worried about breaking a sweat… and it’s been quite hot lately! and women in dresses peddling to work…
I think I may just practice this a bit when I return…