Balinese dreaming: UN meetings on transport systems and real-life traffic problems

In April I traveled to Bali, Indonesia for the 7th Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia, organized by the UN Centre for Regional Development, and the Environmental Ministries of Japan and Indonesia. Bali, the Island of the Gods as it is known by the locals, is famous for its beaches, its surf, its rice fields,… Read More Balinese dreaming: UN meetings on transport systems and real-life traffic problems

16/07/201318/07/2013 jenniferlenhart2 Comments

Copenhagen & Malmö: Scandinavian sustainability superstars

I was recently in Copenhagen, Denmark for the Nordic Environmental Social Sciences Conference. Afterwards, I took a few days to return to one of my all-time favorite sustainability stars – Malmö, Sweden. Having studied and worked in Southern Sweden, I always enjoy returning ‘home’ and remain fascinated by how these two cities continue to drive… Read More Copenhagen & Malmö: Scandinavian sustainability superstars

12/07/201318/07/2013 jenniferlenhart10 Comments

Paris: reclaiming the city for cyclists & pedestrians

With a variety of traffic calming measures and bicycle promotion, Paris is quickly becoming a cycle city – although this takes time, so one needs to exercise some caution concerning where you bike (trust me)! 🙂 Still, with its famous Velib bike-sharing (and car-sharing) systems, great parks, public spaces and expanded bicycle lanes; the bicycle is… Read More Paris: reclaiming the city for cyclists & pedestrians

21/06/201309/07/2013 jenniferlenhart8 Comments

Malmö: No Ridiculous Car Journeys

At Gustav Adolfs Torg (c) Inga löjliga bilresor Malmö / Jens Lennartsson photography For several years in Malmö (Sweden) May was “No Ridiculous Car Journeys” campaign month, or in Swedish Inga löjliga bilresor. This campaign, launched in 2006 and repeated for several springs, includes animated displays, a dose of humour and a competition for the “most ridiculous car driver.” In one of… Read More Malmö: No Ridiculous Car Journeys

25/05/201311/08/2016 jenniferlenhart2 Comments

City cyclist superstars

Cites like Amsterdam & Copenhagen have turned their cyclist reputations into a marketable concept: enter Amsterdamize and Copenhagenize, featuring dedicated bicycle experts and consultants that draft city cycling blogs and run research projects associated to the concept of urban cycling. Copenhagenize recently released their 2013 Bicycle-Friendly Cities Index, featuring many cities that I have either lived in or cycled… Read More City cyclist superstars

30/04/201316/05/2013 jenniferlenhartLeave a comment

Stuttgart: taking your bike on the tram? No problem!

While some trains allow bicycles and the occasional city bus will let you load your cycle, public transport systems often discourage bicycles from being brought on. I get it: they take up space, can be bulky or cumbersome to load, and take time. Besides we should be encouraging more people to hop on the bus… Read More Stuttgart: taking your bike on the tram? No problem!

15/04/201317/04/2013 jenniferlenhart7 Comments

Zurich: drive-in cafe for the urban cyclist

In Zurich, most citizens hop on their bikes at least two times a week and it is quickly becoming another one of Europe’s cycle cities. Some people, it seems, don’t want to hop off their bikes – not even when enjoying a cup of coffee. So this city, with a great cafe culture and blossoming… Read More Zurich: drive-in cafe for the urban cyclist

11/04/201316/04/2013 jenniferlenhart1 Comment

Salzburg: rich in history, culture – and bicycles

I spent Easter weekend in the lovely city of Salzburg, Austria – Mozart’s birthplace, the setting for the Sound of Music and famous for its ancient Hohensalzburg Castle dominating over the city. With a four-day holiday weekend for Easter, it seemed like the perfect getaway. Besides, we were trying to escape the unseasonably cold spring in the Netherlands; however,… Read More Salzburg: rich in history, culture – and bicycles

09/04/201315/04/2013 jenniferlenhart6 Comments

Parks, bikes & picnics – all in one

As spring and summer again approach the Northern Hemisphere, here’s a fun idea for a picnic, party and bike – all in one. Shared on Bike Bistro‘s page with credit to Fat City Cycles – but originally of Swedish design – this bike combines a picnic basket, stereo system, air pump and other gadgets into one bike. Perfect… Read More Parks, bikes & picnics – all in one

09/04/201316/04/2013 jenniferlenhart1 Comment

Copenhagen: taking back the city | car-free streets & slow speed zones

Copenhagen competes for one of the world’s most bikable – and livable – cities; but it wasn’t always that way. Like many cities in post-war Europe, as cities were rebuilt, bike lanes were taken over by the car. It wasn’t until the oil crisis of the 1970s and the start of the environmental movement that people started… Read More Copenhagen: taking back the city | car-free streets & slow speed zones

28/03/201318/08/2014 jenniferlenhart7 Comments

The Urban Observer

The everyday life & surprises of living an urban existence

Category: Cycling