Originally Posted by Machka

Just summarising your extremely derogatory and negative post. And you called yourself a failure ... not me. I don't call people failures. I don't think of you as a failure even though you no longer cycle or walk anywhere. In fact, I objected to gerv calling people failures. Life happens. But if you want to call people failures ... look in a mirror.





So ... summarising again ... you think gerv's idea is a waste of time? And secondly, not only do you think that programs like what gerv is suggesting are a waste of time, you'd prefer there be laws forcing people to walk or ride bicycles? Is that right?


These events still occur year after year in places all over the world.

But one of the reasons some of these programs may not have measurable impact, and one of the reason why the same people turn up at the breakfasts etc., is because the organisations that matter have not been encouraged to participate ... the workplaces.

If I work at a place that has no bicycle parking and isn't really supportive of people riding their bicycles to work, why would a Bike to Work day encourage me to ride? But if the Bike to Work organisers worked with the businesses to discuss providing parking and other incentives to encourage their workers to walk or cycle ... then people might be more enthusiastic.

Many businesses have "lunch 'n' learns" or other short training sessions every other week. Some of those sessions include discussions about the dangers of sitting all day long, and other wellness topics. They encourage employees to get up and walk around the office regularly and also to get exercise before and after work. Encouraging people to walk or cycle to work would fit right into those sessions. But I've yet to see anyone come and talk to employers and employees about that.


Another reason some of these programs may not have measureable impact might be because the organisations don't work together. We've got walk to work day ... and cycle to work day. On different days. And neither encourage people to do anything but walk on walk to work day or cycle on cycle to work day. I'd rather see them work together. Have several days a year where people are encouraged to walk or cycle or use whatever other human powered method of transportation they like.


And forget the breakfasts ... I've never been to a walk to work or cycle to work day breakfast. The breakfasts are always in some obscure place which would involve me cycling or walking a considerably longer distance that day. I'd rather see them spend the money in other ways. For example, provide secure cyclists parking areas in workplace locations. Or put together professional, interesting, informative, and encouraging training packages to be distributed to workplaces and schools.