Switzerland - cycling bliss?

[Wheeledweenie]

I've just been to Basel where there is space for two bikes in nearly every train carriage (not every train, every carriage), there are silky smooth cycle lanes and roads, cycle-only subways under tricky junctions and nobody locks their bike to anything because bike theft is so small an issue.

In addition, every cyclist who cycles on the road must display a sticker as proof that they have insurance. It costs the equivalent of around £5 a year apparently and covers you up to 2 million Swiss francs.

Marvellous!

 

[marinyork]

Excellent. Can you see any of these marvellous facilities from google street view for the streets they've done in Basel you reckon?

 

[summerdays]

Yep - and did you see all those bikes left outside their houses unlocked up.... I love Switzerland - been many a time on holidays/visiting friends.

 

[User169]

....

In addition, every cyclist who cycles on the road must display a sticker as proof that they have insurance. It costs the equivalent of around £5 a year apparently and covers you up to 2 million Swiss francs....

Marvellous!

Do you know what's insured? Is it the cyclist or the bicycle?

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Excellent. Can you see any of these marvellous facilities from google street view for the streets they've done in Basel you reckon?

Can't find anything specific but all the bike parks are full!

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Do you know what's insured? Is it the cyclist or the bicycle?

I'm not sure but my uncle offered to lend me his bike on my next trip so it may well be the bicycle. The stickers didn't seem to have id numbers but I could be wrong.

 

[summerdays]

I think the stickers do but I can't find any photos of the the rear of bikes showing them.

 

[yenrod]

I've just been to Basel where there is space for two bikes in nearly every train carriage (not every train, every carriage), there are silky smooth cycle lanes and roads, cycle-only subways under tricky junctions and nobody locks their bike to anything because bike theft is so small an issue.

In addition, every cyclist who cycles on the road must display a sticker as proof that they have insurance. It costs the equivalent of around £5 a year apparently and covers you up to 2 million Swiss francs.

Marvellous!

My Cousin visited Switzerland and he was also impressed about this country.

Must put it on the list !!!!!!!

 

[Globalti]

I would happily pay 50% of my salary in taxes if I knew it was being spent as well as it is in Switzerland for the benefit of my family and the rest of the country's citizens.

 

[upsidedown]

Yep, we couldn't get it any more wrong in this country if we tried.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

On the other hand, you can be reported to the police for hanging your washing out untidily, or similar. And that's true, cos a mate of mine told me a bloke he met in the pub had read a book with that in it.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

You do get reported and fined for hanging your washing out on Sunday r bank holidays!

Crikey. I think I'd rather live in the UK.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

You do get reported and fined for hanging your washing out on Sunday r bank holidays!

A small price to pay in my book. My flat had a rule about not hanging any washing outside ever in the leasehold agreement and that was in England. AND there was no bike parking!

 

[Fnaar]

I've just been to Basel where there is space for two bikes in nearly every train carriage (not every train, every carriage), there are silky smooth cycle lanes and roads, cycle-only subways under tricky junctions and nobody locks their bike to anything because bike theft is so small an issue.

In addition, every cyclist who cycles on the road must display a sticker as proof that they have insurance. It costs the equivalent of around £5 a year apparently and covers you up to 2 million Swiss francs.

Marvellous!

Yes, but are they happy?

 

[dustystreet]

A small price to pay in my book. My flat had a rule about not hanging any washing outside ever in the leasehold agreement and that was in England. AND there was no bike parking!

bit of a bugger when you want to hang your bike out to dry after washing it!