A decade of the best journalism dedicated to cycling (Not only urban) This is what the magazine celebrates Cisclosfefe in may. Congratulations! With actress Elena Anaya on her brompton on the cover of the first issue, a journey that now pedals, In the spring of 2022, by Valencia. In the wake of the Bicifest, The tinglado 2 of the Navy welcomes the days 13, 14 y 15 May the first cycles argued by Cycles and the City Council of Valencia. We will enjoy three days dedicated to bicycle and urban mobility knowing closely its advantages and the huge range of options that the velocípedo offers us, One of the inventions that has provided the most joys to humanity. There will be urban bike exhibitors, live paint of the picture of a bike, Romantic Hurricane Concerts, Tesa O Joe Pask, Brompton folding contest (The winner will take a helmet and a closca bottle), food-trucks, children's activities and even a bike parade. We talked with Rafa Vidiella, director of Cycles, To delve more in this event, In urban cycling horizons at local and global level, And in this wonderful economic tsunami, cultural and green that represents the bike. SERGIO BELLO
Administrations, the sector itself and citizenship ... it seems that they point towards the golden age of urban mobility with the help of the bike, But is more a desire than a certainty? What forecasts are contemplated? What lessons can we obtain from the most advanced cultures in this regard?
If there is something that the last years have made us clear is that the only certainty is ... that there is no certainty! So it's difficult, also, Apply that word talking about urban cycling. But, instead, What is certain is that there are a number of growing problems to which the bicycle can solve: I speak of pollution in cities, of the growth of the population in them and of the growing inefficiency of the private vehicle when moving to the citizens. Of the growing shortage and boom of prices of natural resources, that seem to demand much more efficient mobility for mobility. The recovery of public space for people, The inadmissible number of abuses and accidents caused by the improper and excessive use of cars ... many problems generated, basically, For a culture, A society, that has been delivered to the private car. Something that in other cultures, In other countries, They have already detected and started solving, and?, Logic too, We will solve in ours, With various tools among which is the bike.
What are the objectives of CyclosFeria València 2022?
Very in line with what was explained before, Our goal is to show citizens, To the people of the street, The very different options offered by urban cycling as a form of mobility. Teach him, in a practical and tangible way, How to use and what advantages a conventional or folding bicycle has. Explain to a large part of the population, that still does not have it clear, What is an electric bicycle, What benefits will bring them and how is it likely to replace a car. And the same with load bicycles, With a lot of accessories ... in that sense, Valencia seems ideal: The fact that the city is having an adequate infrastructure and that the bike is being integrated into the collective culture offers an ideal and safe scenario to be able to transmit and make all those sensations real.
Cycles He has managed to be a great speaker within the cycling community involved in getting better cities, But we need more specialized journalistic power quota seeing what is coming: Climate change, Energy crisis, etc. How do you interpret this scenario?
Indeed, I think that one of the problems that are usually incurred when talking about bicycles and urban cycling is inbreeding, Going to a reader / public already convinced and agreed beforehand with you, thus generating a vicious circle that contributes little to change things. That is why in Cycles We have always tried to find that bicycle that usually circulates in the brain and people of the people: Just like you used it, Just as I gave you happiness, independence and autonomy then, He will do it now, And it will also facilitate a healthier lifestyle, Effective and cheap. That has been part of our philosophy and editorial line, But I do not know how other media will do it. What I do know is the enormous weight it has, For example, The automobile industry, And how that hinders a clear editorial bet in favor of the bike instead of the car. Or how bicycle and urban cycling are used in our country by many as a political tool, or as a throwing weapon by conservative or directly reactionary sectors and media. The bike is a change tool, And the changes are not welcome by many, But in one way or another they occur, They acquire prominence, And I hope that is seen in the streets and also, of course, In the media.
What other projects, festivals, fairs, meetings or surprises marked on the agenda you can advance us?
Cycles Now turns ten years old, But it is true that in recent times, And obviously due to pandemic, Some things have accelerated. But they have not changed our philosophy: In addition to work and way of life, The passion and desire to change and improve things and transmit a lifestyle moves us, With the bike as the main tool, More empathetic, healthy, practical and respectful of others and with oneself. That desire to communicate and share things will continue to be our axis, that now takes another step with the experience of organizing a fair in a city like Valencia. We want to continue with the printed magazine, that we have improved significantly in recent times. We love to inform through the website and interact with many people through social networks. Y, of course, It would be fabulous to repeat events such as CyclosFeria in Valencia and other cities, Internationalize more the project (which already has tens of thousands of followers in other countries) or further increase the informative fan with new sections, Contents and approaches. But we are doing little by little, concentrating and leaving our skin in each action and trying to make so much work, and so much time and energy deposited in it, With other fundamental areas of life, how to take care of our families.
