http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed_edition&videoId=business/2011/06/07/qmb.fc.copenhagenisation.cnn
I’m one of those obnoxious people who is proud of not having a television, but I nevertheless found out that this aired Tuesday and am quite taken with it. CNN came to our city to talk about how the Copenhagenization of cities can occur, and I’m pleased that the piece actually highlights why cycling here works so well and how it has become such an integral part of life — because it truly is easier to bike everywhere for many people.
For example, just today, I needed to go buy a new swimsuit (gah), and the nearest shop was either 20-25 minutes on foot or under 10 on bike. It took me less than an hour to cycle from my apartment to the store, try on something like nine different swimsuits in three different batches (grab some, try them on, get dressed again, repeat thrice), stop at Tiger for some of those Lant potato chips that Andreas likes, and even get stuck in a cycle jam in front of Føtex before arriving home again. My bicycle has become an indispensable part of my life, and while I will always have that American need to get in a car and drive, I feel fortunate that, for all the shit we’ve put up with here between immigration bureaucracy (ours), underemployment (mine), and culture shock (mine), I’ve learned to feel safe and happy on two wheels.