The urban bike magazine

Cycling experts and decision-makers from all over the world are coming together in the Netherlands for the Velo-city 2017celebrating The Freedom of Cycling. 1,500 participants from more than 80 countries are expected in Arnheim-Nijmegen, the country’s second largest urban agglomeration, to learn from the world's pre-eminent cycling nation and to exchange information and ideas. Alongside urban development and planning of cycling infrastructure, the focus this year will be on social justice, social participation and the economic viability of cycling.

Cyclists in Brussels take an active part in the “PING if you care!” urban planning initiative. The results have now been published and they provide an exciting insight into the current state of the transport infrastructure from the cyclist’s perspective. The city can now quickly and efficiently plan appropriate measures.

“Dear Max, Thank you for your question. Lots of young people at your age wonder whether their bell is big enough or if their partner likes it. After all, they do come in all shapes and sizes: small ones, big ones, thick ones, loud ones, quiet ones, pierced ones and colourful ones. Perhaps your girlfriend has spent a few more hours in the saddle than you have and thinks that big bells are easier to see and hear. But actually that’s not always the case. Small bells can also be surprisingly loud. The important thing is that they ring properly and that you can be heard. What they look like or what colour they are is really not as important as you might think, you’ll realise this over time. I hope that you and your girlfriend continue having fun ringing your bells and enjoy lots of new experiences. Enjoy your rides, your Dr. Bike.”

Breaks from everyday life are important. Since the noughties, there has been an unspoken consensus about holidays: the farther away, and the cheaper, the better. Yet paradise is often waiting on our doorsteps. Bike Citizens Berlin spent a few days testing regional holidays, catching a total of zero flights to get to the outskirts of Berlin: the Uckermark!