News: Belgian speed pedelec experiment recruits new participants

[Pedelecs]

"As Belgian politician, Bjorn Rzoska, finished his fourth week of commuting 7.5 hours by speed pedelec to statistically build the case for faster e-bikes, new participants have joined the commuter experiment.


Initial data from Mr Rzoska’s study so far showed he has covered 1,054km at an average speed of 30 km/hr. Meanwhile his weight has decreased from 95 to 93.5kg.

Following Mr Rzoska’s lead is Tom Dehaene, who is responsible for mobility in the Belgian province of Vlaams Brabant; Mr Dehaene commenced his commuter study on 8th March."

To read full story:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/news/belgian-speed-pedelec-experiment-recruits-participants/

 

[ocb]

It's great to see this. I live in Vlaams Brabant also, and am lucky that the authorities have invested in good cycle routes. I can get from my kids' school to work (15km each way) and be on road with cars for only about 2 of those.

It's not all roses though. Like many countries in "old Europe", potholes are a massive problem. A few weeks ago when there was snow, the ploughs were out - dumping the snow off the road and onto the cycle paths!

Before that, wet leaves were covering the "cycle highway" for weeks. They did come along once (max twice) with a machine to clean the leaves. I wasn't the only one to come a cropper.

Some of the cycle ways are getting long in the tooth also, seriously unsafe degradation plus no cleaning of green grime from trees etc. If they want more people to commute by bike, they have to get serious about maintaining the infra.

Given the above...I expect with a sense of inevitability that this gent will come a cropper at some point, and at s-pedelec speeds it could be nasty!

They are planning more investment in joined up cycle super-highways in and around Brussels, as right now you can get dumped into the middle of 6 lanes of Brussels kamikaze/take no prisoners traffic. A few weeks ago I saw a bin truck had just turned without looking and wiped out a cycling mother and baby on one of the major inner routes. It's honestly not worth the risk here unless you're deconflicted for the majority of your journey.

 

[flecc]

Some of the cycle ways are getting long in the tooth also, seriously unsafe degradation plus no cleaning of green grime from trees etc. If they want more people to commute by bike, they have to get serious about maintaining the infra.

Applies to much of the UK too, once provided the cyclepaths are rarely if ever maintained in any way, no sweeping and no repairs. Over time they deteriorate to the point of falling out of use.
.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Ditto French Basque Country which is why I ride on the road. The St Jean to Hendaye cycle path is highly recommended if you have any bolts or screws you can't get undone. A couple of rides and they will fall straight out!

Spanish Basque Country cycle paths are quite good except for the intersections which are sometimes a challenge.