As we discussed previously ( “Us and Them” ), there are many factions in Politics and the Press who’d prefer to dwell on the ‘differences’ between people, and try to inflate, leverage, and exploit any of the contentious issues that arise in order to further their own immediate agendas. In an effort to try and close the various rifts that can form between Motorists and Cyclists, perhaps we could all take a wider perspective, and look for the common values that will benefit all Commuters and Travelers alike, regardless of their chosen mode of transport.
In terms of how we use our roadways, we could all stand to learn and apply better protocols, and learn to appreciate traffic flow from a more socially functional point of view. In an effort to develop values that can be applied evenly across the road, and thus help smooth out traffic flow patterns and problems for everyone, let’s look at some cultures that have embraced both Cycling and Automobiles. Not surprisingly, we can look to European culture for examples of this duality, and although the French, British, and of course the Germans have all been instrumental in the development of both 4 and two-wheeled transport, it’s clear that Italian automotive history and bicycle technology have played an undeniable role in forming a worldwide Culture that has advanced both of these pursuits to an Artform, with their panache, passion, and an undeniable sense of style…