Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
false

Bicyclists understand: the beauty, the simplicity, the feeling of almost flying. Surely, few of man's inventions have been responsible for as much human happiness as the bicycle.

It turns out artists know this too. Across cultures and generations, the bicycle is a powerful symbol of hope and progress. Mikael Colville-Andersen at Network blog Copenhagenize has been doing his research:

The Bicycle as a symbol of progress, of renewal, of promising times ahead -- this is not a new concept. Indeed it has been around since the invention of the bicycle. Many bicycle posters at end of the 19th century featured promising themes like liberation, progress, freedom.

When people in most cultures see art or photgraphy, our brain sees movement from left to right and interprets the piece based on that. In the vintage poster, the youthful girl in pure white is tossing flowers about her as she rides from left to right. She is heading towards the future, moving away from us. Perhaps even spreading flowers to encourage us to follow her. The old, frail woman sitting amongst thorns has her back firmly to the future, head in her hand and almost resigned to the fact that she won't - or can't - be a part of the glowing future.

Or how about a more recent example:

false

[This] is the party flag for the Samajwadi political party in India. Their rising star, Akhilesh Yadav, recently won a landslide election in the Uttar Pradesh state elections. Yadav campaigned tirelessly and he rode hundreds of kilometres around the state on his bicycle and organised bicycle rides. Reuters has an article about his rise to power. He thrashed the heir-apparent in Indian politics, Rahul Ghandi of THE Ghandis by appealing to the working classes, sleeping in villagers huts and aligning himself with the demands of the regular citizens. And the man can even text and cycle at the same time. He's got our vote.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Pattern Cities reports that Los Angeles has seized on roadspace-to-public-plazas conversions pioneered by New York. The Virginia Bicycling Federation wonders whether we will see a long-term transportation bill passed in 2012. And This Big City explores how individual identity is tied up in the unique culture of one's city.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Tuesday’s Headlines Are a Sanctuary

The Trump administration's latest threat would withhold funding from many big-city transit agencies and transportation projects in some blue states with "sanctuary" policies on immigration.

February 4, 2025

This Automaker Is Attacking Sustainable Transportation Even More Than You Think

The world's largest automaker has been ramping up spending to put climate change deniers in Congress, and crushing support for all kinds of sustainable modes in the process.

February 4, 2025

Op-Ed: How Transit Agencies Are Tackling America’s Public Bathroom Crisis

Lack of public restrooms can be a barrier to using transit — and a devastating problem for those who have no choice but to ride. This company is trying to solve the problem.

February 4, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Question Sprawl

Do Americans really want to live in car-centric suburbs, or are they forced to because that's where most of the housing is built?

February 3, 2025

Why Trump’s DOT is Promising More Money to States With Higher Birth Rates

Supporting American families in the transportation realm doesn't mean giving low-population red states more money for highways — even if a new DOT memo suggests that's exactly what they'll do.

February 2, 2025
See all posts