Great video Chris. I was also taken by the part where you talk about driving. When driving in residential streets - those which are not obviously sub-arterials - I now try to imagine myself as a guest where the safety and amenity of walkers and riders is paramount. That means driving at 30kph, holding back when pedestrians are crossing an intersection ahead of me, taking turns super slowly expecting a pedestrian or cyclist could appear at any moment (especially RH turns). Even (and this is the big one that is hard for drivers) waiting behind a cyclist for a few seconds before overtaking when a car is approaching from the other direction. While true and important that 30kph is the definitely the sweet spot for safety v speed, possibly just as important is the improved amenity for those not in a car. Less noise, less stress, others (even cars) can safely enter the street to cross it or use it, without that stressful internal calculus we all have to do with a fast approaching vehicle. I have been paying attention to the extra time this takes, and at least half the time I arrive at the next intersection behind the same car I was always behind; otherwise the extra time is pretty negligible. Also does wonders for my own stress. And within a km or so you are at an arterial anyway. Anyone reading who drives, give it a go for a month and see how it feels.
That's fantastic to hear! There are definitely so many benefits to going that little bit slower. Now all that needs to happen is for 30kmph to become the default local street speed limit so more people can discover its joy!
My partner and I have a saying "you don't get that in a car" for these types of interactions, and without exaggeration we have a couple of them every time we ride. They can seem insignificant to the unobservant but if you ride often, the "hello" as you pass the guy who always sits on the same park bench at the same time, accumulates to perhaps a conversation which no matter how brief can help you both feel very much more connected to place and others in your community. In an urban environment where loneliness is beginning to be recognised as a health crisis, this is a vital antidote.
Nice one Chris - I note however that Norway and New Zealand are both _very_ car centric as is Australia yet these are 30% of the top nations in terms of social trust so I'm not sure how good the correlation really is eh, although I agree better more democratic and fair street and transport prioritisation would improve this key aspect of social life and open the space for improved social trust.
Yep as I said I from my research low income inequality seems to be the most important aspect by far, but that can be difficult to act on in your day to day life
I've ditched the car completely & am now a full time (motor)cyclist. Does that count? I regularly make eye contact with drivers too, but more to communicate "what the hell are you doing, did you not see me?" rather than for social interaction. I'd love to ditch petrol altogether, but Sydney has way too many hills & I have to circumnavigate the airport to get to work. Motorcycling is just safer & more convenient for me.
The airport is definitely a tricky place to cycle past. I remember when I had to ride from Randwick to Ramsgate for an internship and I had to use the M1 for part of it, including a short tunnel under the airport. Never again. Hopefully in the future you have a more viable bike commute!
i have at least given a friendly wave to strangers on a motorbike, when i ever see them. so there is some level of social interaction, but still very limited as there aren't many bikers in general (and I mean both kinds)
@@yukko_parra It depends on where you live, or what you're looking out for, I guess. I live & work at opposite ends of Bayside LGA & I see plenty on my daily commute. It's an almost even mix of cyclists, motorcyclists & suicidal food delivery riders. And because I'm on a motorcycle I'm more aware of them. It's the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon at work. It's like if you buy a new car & then start seeing a lot more people driving the same car as you. The cars other people drive haven't changed, but your perception of them has because you're now more aware of them. If you're able, try riding for a while & see how many cyclists of all kinds you see.
This is one secret Coles ad isn't it? Or specifically an ad for Coles Waterloo? I ride past there going to work, more cycling infrastructure like Bourke street cycleway would be nice, but I have noticed more oversized bus stops that take up more space than they need.
You've got me... Down down, vehicle kilometres travelled are down 👇 I don't mind the bug bus stops when they're floating on the other end of a cycleway instead of a car parking spot! But they are a bit cumbersome in the middle of the footpath
I find that people who live in denser walkable areas have a much stronger sense of social trust and community compared to people who live in car centric self isolating suburbs.
I don't know about that. There are a few anti-social people living in my unit block & plenty of people here would rather stare at you than give you the time of day. And I have a friend who lives on the Sydney fringes, where housing blocks are still measured in acres, and he knows most of his neighbors by first name.
@@ADingoTookMyDasco I think it depends on whether residents can afford to stay somewhere long term and invest in where they live as well, and the amount of car traffic on the street is also an important factor. I know that I knew my neighbours a lot better when I lived in an apartment vs a townhouse complex on a main road
Hey Chris have you been on the Epsom Rd cycleway in Zetland / Rosebery recently? It has been pretty thoroughly destroyed by construction work and now everyone is just parking in the cycleway like it doesn’t exist. I tried contacting CoS but no reply yet. I’m concerned we’re gonna lose this cycleway.
I haven't ridden there in a while since I'm not a fan of lenthall avenue but I definitely noticed the construction last time I was there. Ridiculous about the parking. I'll make sure to send City of Sydney an email as well
Very inspiring! I will ride my bike to work tomorrow and try and make eye contact with someone!😊
"Driving makes you a jerk. Biking fixes it."
Great video Chris. I was also taken by the part where you talk about driving. When driving in residential streets - those which are not obviously sub-arterials - I now try to imagine myself as a guest where the safety and amenity of walkers and riders is paramount. That means driving at 30kph, holding back when pedestrians are crossing an intersection ahead of me, taking turns super slowly expecting a pedestrian or cyclist could appear at any moment (especially RH turns). Even (and this is the big one that is hard for drivers) waiting behind a cyclist for a few seconds before overtaking when a car is approaching from the other direction. While true and important that 30kph is the definitely the sweet spot for safety v speed, possibly just as important is the improved amenity for those not in a car. Less noise, less stress, others (even cars) can safely enter the street to cross it or use it, without that stressful internal calculus we all have to do with a fast approaching vehicle. I have been paying attention to the extra time this takes, and at least half the time I arrive at the next intersection behind the same car I was always behind; otherwise the extra time is pretty negligible. Also does wonders for my own stress. And within a km or so you are at an arterial anyway. Anyone reading who drives, give it a go for a month and see how it feels.
That's fantastic to hear! There are definitely so many benefits to going that little bit slower. Now all that needs to happen is for 30kmph to become the default local street speed limit so more people can discover its joy!
How on earth has this only got 540 views?
Can confirm had a chat with some guy today why we were waiting for a traffic light
Nice! Another classic cycling moment
My partner and I have a saying "you don't get that in a car" for these types of interactions, and without exaggeration we have a couple of them every time we ride. They can seem insignificant to the unobservant but if you ride often, the "hello" as you pass the guy who always sits on the same park bench at the same time, accumulates to perhaps a conversation which no matter how brief can help you both feel very much more connected to place and others in your community. In an urban environment where loneliness is beginning to be recognised as a health crisis, this is a vital antidote.
Nice one Chris - I note however that Norway and New Zealand are both _very_ car centric as is Australia yet these are 30% of the top nations in terms of social trust so I'm not sure how good the correlation really is eh, although I agree better more democratic and fair street and transport prioritisation would improve this key aspect of social life and open the space for improved social trust.
Yep as I said I from my research low income inequality seems to be the most important aspect by far, but that can be difficult to act on in your day to day life
nice video, I like the sassy fact bombs
Love the hat and the content of course ❤
Thanks!
I've ditched the car completely & am now a full time (motor)cyclist. Does that count?
I regularly make eye contact with drivers too, but more to communicate "what the hell are you doing, did you not see me?" rather than for social interaction.
I'd love to ditch petrol altogether, but Sydney has way too many hills & I have to circumnavigate the airport to get to work. Motorcycling is just safer & more convenient for me.
The airport is definitely a tricky place to cycle past. I remember when I had to ride from Randwick to Ramsgate for an internship and I had to use the M1 for part of it, including a short tunnel under the airport. Never again. Hopefully in the future you have a more viable bike commute!
i have at least given a friendly wave to strangers on a motorbike, when i ever see them. so there is some level of social interaction, but still very limited as there aren't many bikers in general (and I mean both kinds)
@@yukko_parra It depends on where you live, or what you're looking out for, I guess. I live & work at opposite ends of Bayside LGA & I see plenty on my daily commute. It's an almost even mix of cyclists, motorcyclists & suicidal food delivery riders. And because I'm on a motorcycle I'm more aware of them. It's the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon at work. It's like if you buy a new car & then start seeing a lot more people driving the same car as you. The cars other people drive haven't changed, but your perception of them has because you're now more aware of them. If you're able, try riding for a while & see how many cyclists of all kinds you see.
This is one secret Coles ad isn't it? Or specifically an ad for Coles Waterloo? I ride past there going to work, more cycling infrastructure like Bourke street cycleway would be nice, but I have noticed more oversized bus stops that take up more space than they need.
You've got me... Down down, vehicle kilometres travelled are down 👇
I don't mind the bug bus stops when they're floating on the other end of a cycleway instead of a car parking spot! But they are a bit cumbersome in the middle of the footpath
I find that people who live in denser walkable areas have a much stronger sense of social trust and community compared to people who live in car centric self isolating suburbs.
Definitely!
I don't know about that. There are a few anti-social people living in my unit block & plenty of people here would rather stare at you than give you the time of day. And I have a friend who lives on the Sydney fringes, where housing blocks are still measured in acres, and he knows most of his neighbors by first name.
@@ADingoTookMyDasco I think it depends on whether residents can afford to stay somewhere long term and invest in where they live as well, and the amount of car traffic on the street is also an important factor. I know that I knew my neighbours a lot better when I lived in an apartment vs a townhouse complex on a main road
Hey Chris have you been on the Epsom Rd cycleway in Zetland / Rosebery recently? It has been pretty thoroughly destroyed by construction work and now everyone is just parking in the cycleway like it doesn’t exist. I tried contacting CoS but no reply yet. I’m concerned we’re gonna lose this cycleway.
I haven't ridden there in a while since I'm not a fan of lenthall avenue but I definitely noticed the construction last time I was there. Ridiculous about the parking. I'll make sure to send City of Sydney an email as well
Democracycle!