Slow Life Wakayama 5 New Year's Ride to 岩出

“What makes a difference between a developed city and a backward city is not the quality of expressways, highways or flyovers but that of pedestrian streets, bicycle tracks, public parks, water fronts and bus ways for mass transit” (Enrique Penalosa, a former mayor of Bogota, Colombia). Bogota, Colombia turned around to be a people-friendly city from the situation “95% of road is taken up by car, while 80% of entire population relies on public transports”. Creative use of public space seems a vital key for a city to be “sustainable” and a bike-friendly city would be rewarded with extra benefits of health, fun and a renewed sense of community.

Organised by the Wakayama Cycling Association, almost 100 cyclists set out en mass to make a New Year’s visit (hatsumode) to local temples and shrines. At Hatsumode, people pray for a safe and healthy year ahead, and for this trip in particular, the road safety. Young and old cyclists on various types of bikes participated in this 40km round trip with a highlight of a blessing given to all cyclists and their bikes at the Negoro Temple in Iwade. This was a family-friendly fun trip but also was a clear action against climate change, keeping in mind the coming Copenhagen Conference and the post-Kyoto climate strategies. A mass ride for climate change is planned for the 31 May in Wakayama City in collaboration with the Denmark Embassy, which will be an important opportunity to raise public awareness. These rides are certainly “critical mass” events, even though they are not so claimed.

A Critical Mass movement was initiated on 25 September in San Francisco to raise public awareness about the importance of bike use. CM ride is now held in over 300 cities, normally on the late afternoon of the last Friday of the month but also on days such as 22 April (Earth Day), 22 September (Car Free Day) or Ride-to-Work Day.

Bike ride gives us a sense of freedom, fun, independence as well as health. Mass ride, in particular, is empowering as you will claim the road in a safe way. Mass ride may not always have political intent but are certainly eye-catching and lot of fun. Bicycle also implies sharing – being aware of, care for and communicating with others, including other riders, pedestrians and motorists.

Bike-friendly or bike-active cities include Melbourne, Amsterdam, Lyon, Copenhagen, Portland, San Francisco. These cities would have made a considerable investment in infrastructure (designated lane, smooth surface, clear signage, light, lockable parking areas), cyclist education (road rules, speed limit, light, helmet, bells, clothes), access to other public transportation (trains, bus, ferry), workplace and public facilities (change/shower facility, locker rooms). These investments will certainly have rewards and benefits beyond expectation – environment, social, cultural and economic. It is certainly one ingredient for a creative and attractive city where residents’ happiness can be shared by visitors.