The Livable Streets Initiative

The Livable Strees Initiative is a brilliant pool of information for those of us interested in urban livability, specifically promoting the redesign of urban spaces with the cyclist in mind. This website is just begging to be the next object of my pure and unadulterated obsession. They have bloggers chiming in from all over the world on how these sustainability projects are progressing, "streetflims" which highlight cities that are making a difference, and a platform for people to organize projects in their own communities.

Their most recent streetfilm provides a glimpse into the busiest bicycle street in the Western world: Nørrebrogade in Copenhagen (be still my heart).

Because really, who does it better than the Danes? I have yet to encounter another culture so whole-heartedly committed to living their lives on bicycles. When living in Denmark, I noticed that the Danes don't have the same emotional, spacial attachment to their beds that Americans do. Their bedding is basic and most sleep on futons so that blankets and pillows are retired to the closet during the day, and the space is put to better use. This was odd, because when I live in the States, my bed is my SPOT. Only later did I realize that Danes have a spot too...on their bikes. They have transferred this attachment to the spot between two wheels.





photos via the spectacular blog: copenhagen cycle chic