If you're concerned at all about the future of transportation, whether merely locally or in cities all around the world, then Bikes vs. Cars, a new documentary by Fredrik Gertten will be of interest to you. Opening at the Bloor HotDocs Cinema today for a one week run (screening times vary), the film looks at the congestion that cities face the world over, and what's been happening in several of them when people fight for better cycling infrastructure. As you all know, some cities have come to increasingly embrace the bicycle over recent years, while many others have not. Toronto is making strides, but its some of our more cringe-worthy recent bumps in the cycle track that make their way into this film, as seen in the trailer below.
While improvements to the cycling network here are currently being studied (and until tomorrow, you can provide your feedback here), cities across the globe are facing similar traffic issues that have until recently been solved by trying to figure out how to jam more cars through them.
Cyclist Aline Cavalcante, São Paulo, Brazil. Image by Rodrigo Marcondes, courtesy of WG Film
Bikes vs. Cars looks at the uphill battle that cyclists have been waging, and slowly winning, in cities in several countries to provide safer and more extensive infrastructure to allow people to move about on their own power, stressing the lower costs, as well as the health benefits not just for the cyclists themselves but for everyone concerned about polluted air and a changing climate.
Ghost bike memorial ride, São Paulo, Brazil. Image by Flora Dias, courtesy of WG Film
Some of the hard-won advances in cities like São Paulo are inspiring and should help trigger ideas in viewers wherever Bikes vs. Cars plays to improve the situation in their hometowns. Copenhagen remains the city to emulate, while Toronto's previous four years remain the a period we prefer never to have happened.
Bike activists protesting against the removal of the Jarvis bike lane. Image by Martin Reis, courtesy of WG Film
Sweden-born director Gertten will be on hand at this weekend's screenings along with local activists to field questions after the film. Snap the straps closed on your helmets and head over to the Bloor for an interesting evening!
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