A Re-cycled Concept Improved: Urban Bike Transport Revival On Perils for Pedestrians

BETHESDA, MD, February 28, 2011 (Press-News.org) What do the cities of Bordeaux, France; Amsterdam, Holland; and Portland, Oregon, USA have in common? If you're a bicyclist, you probably know that in these locations, cycling is a popular way of getting around. If you're not a bicyclist, you might just become one after viewing the latest episode of "Perils for Pedestrians", airing Tuesday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. EST on The Universityhouse Channel. Program host John Z. Wetmore brings viewers to a major transportation event in Brussels, Belgium to show how the bicycle is experiencing a resurgence as a clean, cost-effective, and healthy way to organize urban transport. Here are a few examples of ideas translated into action from Episode 169:

· Every two years, Velo-city, an international conference on cycling policy, brings together government officials, cycling advocates, academics, and others who are serious about promoting the bicycle as a daily means of transport. Tim Asperges, Program Director of Velo-city 2009 in Brussels, explains to Wetmore how the sessions on climate change, investment, health, marketing, and legislation were a prelude to the signing of a pledge by 50 European city mayors known as the Charter of Brussels aimed at increasing urban cycling.

· The Charter of Brussels is well on the road to being implemented in the city of its namesake. Wetmore interviews bicyclist and Regional Minister for Public Works and Mobility in Brussels, Pascal Smet, who enthusiastically details how a bicycle-friendly policy is expressed in special road markings, the launching of a bike rental system, and preferential traffic-light rules.

· Cars that brake independently of the driver after detecting a pedestrian or cyclist in the road may sound like science fiction, but it's an idea that is being actively discussed in European legislatures as well as by nonprofit organizations such as the European Transport Safety Council. In an in-depth interview, ETSC policy director Ellen Townsend describes to viewers specific ways in which the approximately 43,000 road deaths in the European Union every year can be reduced through a targeted strategy.

· Wetmore wraps up the show from Brussels with two must-see items: a folding bicycle race and some unique footage of an unforeseen event that threw a damper on the conference.

"Perils For Pedestrians" is a public affairs television series that looks at problems confronting pedestrians in their communities, and solutions to those problems from across the United States, and around the world. John Z Wetmore, host of the series, has interviewed advocates, engineers, planners, and public officials in all 50 states and in 15 foreign countries. In addition to The Universityhouse Channel on DISH Network 9411, "Perils For Pedestrians" appears on over 100 public access cable channels. Episode 169 can also be seen on Blip TV at: http://pedestrians.blip.tv.