2011 – Moving through the city

Climate change, shortage of raw materials, population growth and urbanisation – the global mega trends have long forced urban humans to rethink individual mobility. This year 2010LAB presented old traditions and new ideas about alternatively moving through the city. Read the reports from London, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Kosice and the Ruhr area.

 

London

The tube is crowded, the busses are slow and the roads are congested. So the urban future in mobility and infrastructure could be: cycling. But what about parking? Swantje Diepenhorst introduced us to new and creative cycle parking solutions in London.

Callum Lee has seen a new form of folk art in London, white-painted bicycles are locked at the scene of traffic accidents where cyclists have been killed or injured.

 

Ruhr

2010LAB author Jan Willms brought us a special about new mobility concepts: From car sharings and e-car rental service to intermodal systems. Part 1 // Part 2

Traffic jams, stop-and-go, never-ending construction and accidents have demoralised many commuters. It's time for new mobility concepts, says Lab author Holger Steffens. He reports about the planned fast cycle track Ruhr (RSR), cyclists shall be able to ride through the Ruhr area without traffic lights or road crossings.

 

Rotterdam

Elfie Tromp tells us about architectural tours on bike. She spoke with Rutger van der Graaf, owner of Bycycle, celebrating their ten year anniversary.

Do you know what a Tuk Tuk is? Ellen Mannens explains the idea: Let Thai (electrical) Tuc Tucs drive around the city. That means less CO2 emissions than the 'normal' taxi and adds an exotic touch to the city of Rotterdam.

 

Barcelona

In spite of the Spanish good weather and compared to other European countries, bikes have not been a common way to move in this country since the 30’s and 40’s, tells us our author Elena Vilanova. Read about the public bicycles’ network in Barcelona.

Pepe Alamar introduced us to Matadero Madrid and Biernes Collective who have launched a complete program focused on the use of bikes for urban travel.

 

Kosice

Electric cars in Kosice? Lubos Micek reported about the first public charging station for e-cars.