fbpx
Image for Bicycle Colorado

The Biking Vikings

Norway bike and ped street 2 _crop

My poor mother. There we were in Norway—traveling together for the first time in years—and I was spending an awful lot of time veering off to take photos of bike lanes, bike commuters and parents walking their kids to school. “Check out that protected bike lane,” I would say, or “I’m just going to fall back here and take some photos of this dad walking with his cute little girl.” To my mom’s credit, she went with it and let me nerd out.

The inevitable comparisons

Norway family boy on strider _crop

In the bicycle advocacy world, we often look toward and discuss the places that are doing things right. In the U.S., the (almost tired) comparison is Portland, Oregon. Internationally, the gold star goes to the Netherlands. Elected officials and planners from the U.S. have even traveled to the Netherlands to learn how to improve our bike infrastructure. There is certainly a lot to be learned, and I found myself constantly comparing the U.S. to the Netherlands. That got me thinking, is it fair to compare ourselves to this shining star?

It is not just about bike infrastructure…or bike education…or bike policy

In Norway, I learned that there is a lot more at play than just what we think of as “bicycling improvements.” Overall, Norway is a sparsely populated and homogenous country, making culture change a much less complex undertaking than it is in a place as huge and diverse as the U.S. In addition to the less complex demographics, there are social policies that—intended or not—support active transportation.

Norway strider options _smallFor example, after having a baby, Norwegian women have a paid year off to spend at home. New fathers get three months of paid leave. As I explored Norway’s cities and towns, I was struck by the sheer number of young families out bicycling and walking together. I also learned that many Norwegians don’t work 40 hours a week and many have flexible start and end times. This enables people to more easily commute by bike and parents to commute by bike and still walk or bike with their children to and from school.

Starting young

Norway boy with strider _crop

I also could not help but notice that a large number of the families wandering through parks and along streets were walking with their kids on balance bikes. Teaching kids to ride without training wheels—still a fairly novel concept in the U.S.—seems widely accepted in Norway. I pulled my mom into several toy stores to take shots of the huge variety of balance bike options. I had never seen so many different kinds in one place!

One day, while eating shrimp and ice cream (a surprisingly tasty combo) at the fish market, I noticed a young boy on a balance bike with what looked like a race number on his handlebars. I wandered over to talk with his dad who explained that during the Tour de France, the Norwegian Cycling Federation hosts a “Tour de Norway.” They travel around the country and set up courses for small children to ride. Then they film the children riding and turn the footage into short pieces that are shown during commercial breaks in the coverage of the Tour de France. His son had participated and was still proudly sporting his race number.

What can we learn from the Biking Vikings?

I am happy to report that through our Safe Routes to School programs at Bicycle Colorado, we are teaching kids to ride and getting kids excited about bikes all the time. It would be fun to take this to a higher level—maybe a “Pro Balancing Challenge” featuring kids from all the host communities during the USA Pro Challenge.

Norway walking path _cropWhile the Biking Vikings inspired some new ideas, they also helped me to understand that we are comparing apples to oranges when we look longingly toward European bike culture. Things are changing in the U.S., and I am so proud to be a part of this change, but I also have to be patient, knowing that improving things for biking is a complex puzzle.

Norway reminded me that we must appreciate that many other variables come into play, such as the fact that Americans, on average, work more hours per week and take fewer vacation days than Europeans. Knowing this encourages me to think outside the box when it comes to figuring out how to make the U.S. more bike friendly. Maybe, just maybe, in order to increase active transportation trips, we also need to shorten the work week and increase vacation time. I wonder if my boss will buy it?

 

Bicycle Colorado

About the Author: Bicycle Colorado

Bicycle Colorado is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Denver. We use advocacy, education and passion to make Colorado one of the most bicycle-friendly states in the nation. We encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, improve conditions and provide a voice for people who ride bicycles in Colorado. With the support of our members and numerous partnerships across the public and private sector, we’ve made significant strides in improving bicycling since 1992.

COMMENTS (1)

JJ - Reply

Great story Jenna!
I often drag my wife and kids to places and geek out on photos. I’ll tell me daughter to “walk up there normally so I have some scale in my photo!” I co-lead my kids’ walking school bus and lead the biking school bus every Friday!
J.J.

Leave A COMMENT

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Bicycle Colorado
@BicycleColo

Our twitter feed is unavailable right now. Follow us on Twitter

  • Share and tag your bicycle images
  • DON’T DELAY: We’re placing another order for #BicycleColorado masks made by our friends at @primalwear TOMORROW (5/14) at noon! Click the link in our bio to get yours now!
•
•
•
We’re thrilled to see so many people out enjoying (and often rediscovering the joy of) riding a bike right now, and we’re asking ALL bicyclists to do their part to prevent the spread of #covid19 by wearing a mask or other face covering when out for a ride. Doing so keeps you, your loved ones, those around you, and all Coloradans safer while helping reduce stress on our medical system. If you still need a mask, click the link in our bio to pre-order one now and support our advocacy work! Thanks so much to everyone who has already purchased, and to @primalwear for supporting our efforts over the years. Ride on.
  • #BicycleColorado volunteers and staff members spent time today helping @denverurbangardens and @denverfoodrescue deliver “Grow a Garden” food boxes to home-bound families in Denver—via bike! Supporting our community on two wheels makes for a great way to spend a sunny day. Many thanks to our friends @ddchen47, David M., and @juggernautcargo for your help! Head to denverfoodrescue.org or dug.org to learn more about these great local organizations. #rideyourbike
  • Tonight the #BicycleColorado team celebrated Stacey, our outgoing Development Director, with a virtual happy hour. Stacey has been an absolute rockstar for BC. We’re sad to see her leave, but thrilled for her as she heads out on a new adventure (hopefully in the #BikeAdvocacy space!) in North Carolina. Please join us in wishing her well!