The Pushbike as an Urbanist Weapon

We can all see the buzz around pushbikes in cities as a ‘new’ solution to urban transport, congestion, health and environmental problems.  And, that’s all true and fair enough.

But this fascinating article by Kasey Klimes called The Real Reason why Bicycles are the Key to Better Cities argues a more subtle and interesting benefit of increased pushbike use in urban and city areas.

Kasey argues that the most vital element for the future of our cities is that “the bicycle is an instrument of experiential understanding” because on a pushbike, people experience their city with much more intimacy than when travelling in car, bus or train.  And it’s often happening for the very first time.

So, that to a cyclist livability isn’t an abstract concept, it’s an experience.

As they cycle around they see the intricacies of land use and transportation relationships, how density helps urban sustainability, how urban sprawl is economically flawed, the way motorways shred the urban fabric, where land use is working and where it’s not, what real people are doing and how interesting things are when you slow down as you pass them. 

Kasey likens the pushbike to a “secret weapon of the urban renaissance” because too few people see the problems, and even fewer understand the solutions.


Maybe pushbikes will bring enlightenment about what makes better cities?


See you on your bike in the city again soon.




Francesco …