I Amsterdam Cycling Capital

For Velo Mondial one of the priorities in 2008 and further years will be: Amsterdam!
Cycling Amsterdam is for many foreigners one of the major unique selling points of the city. To them cycling is, more than many other prominent features of the capital, one of its most visible qualities. Visitors and ex-pats very much appreciate this mode of transport and after a little exercise most of them spend a lot of their time cycling; they immediately reap the benefits of their speedy and healthy transport. For those who spend prolonged time in Amsterdam, cycling becomes a away of life, like it is for the Dutch, for whom cycling is like swimming is for fish: they just do it, without paying too much attention to it. When foreigners go home they may occasionally rent a bike or irregularly join a tour, but a way of life without making it a big thing, is not really an option for many. Amsterdam Cycling Capital will come to their rescue. Starting April 2008, a program will be developed that offers support to many city managers – politicians and policy people alike – who want to make mobility in their city sustainable. Cities who want to support their economy, their urban environment as well as serve the quality of life of their inhabitants will be able to benefit from this program. This blog will keep you updated, and hopefully when the program starts you will hear this from a variety of sources.

Database for sustainable development of cities

Susta-Info is a global database of case studies and publications, validated by research institutes, 'associations of cities' and expert groups. Susta-Info is an EU DG Research supported project and uses the same search software as http://velo.info/ , the database for cycling planning expertise that momentarily is under reconstruction in http://spicycles.velo.inf0/.
Susta-Info supports local authorities and experts in attaining sustainable development, by establishing a portal and web based database. Practitioners in Europe and beyond will have unconstrained access to information on sustainable development from the urban research programs supported by both UN-HABITAT and the European

Susta-Info:

• supports local authorities and experts in attaining sustainable development, by establishing a portal and web based database, making knowledge on local sustainable development accessible to a large group of targeted users


• makes knowledge on local sustainable development easily accessible through generalized formats and search methodologies and


• can be accessed in English, French, German and Spanish

Bikes for Climate Change Conference

At least 200 bicycles were available on loan to all attendees of the climate change meeting which took place last December in Bali. The participants of the UN conference got to know the advantages of bicycle as means of transportation. Initially some 700 bicycles were planned but some parties cancelled their delivery.
The bicycles together with 120 buses were a response to expected heavy traffic with increased carbon emissions during the UN climate change meeting. Roads within the Nusa Dua tourist enclave conference venue was closed to traffic to reduce traffic congestion and emissions loads.
The infrastructure in the Nusa Dua enclave suited very well for biking while the scorching heat made it hard for walking. Not all visitors of the conference used the bicycles for transportation as an estimated 15,000 people took part in the climate conference.

Author : Jan-Willem van Schaik Source : Jakarta Post