Would you go bicycling in Europe right now?
06-17-18, 01:52 PM
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Would you go bicycling in Europe right now?
Would anyone go, or not go, to Eurupe on a bicycling holiday with the world like it is now? Say for 3 weeks and cycle in France, Belgium and Germany. Through the country, small and larger cities. Would you do it?
06-17-18, 02:07 PM
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I ride the roads in Italy every day and travel pretty extensively. It is safer than the US in my opinion.....
06-17-18, 02:32 PM
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Yes. Speaking the language even rudimentarily is powerful - bone-up for the best interactions.
America is FAR less safe for a cyclist.
Way too many distracted SUVs, crazies (of many types) emboldened.
Know the traffic rules/signs/etc in advance. Not just the route.
Have heard of many americans in England nearly getting squashed because they looked the wrong way before proceeding. That sort of thing......
When riding in USA stay away from schools - lots of shootings and terror thereabouts.
America is FAR less safe for a cyclist.
Way too many distracted SUVs, crazies (of many types) emboldened.
Know the traffic rules/signs/etc in advance. Not just the route.
Have heard of many americans in England nearly getting squashed because they looked the wrong way before proceeding. That sort of thing......
When riding in USA stay away from schools - lots of shootings and terror thereabouts.
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06-17-18, 02:33 PM
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At least there won't be some gun-toting fool on every mile of road.
06-17-18, 02:39 PM
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Don't see why not other than expense. Greatest risk would be problems with ones own body, i.e. assorted possible diseases. Those countries have excellent medical facilities to mitigate that risk and the chances of a problem shouldn't be greater than by staying home. Well down in probability would be traffic-related injuries and those countries look significantly better for cyclists in that respect compared to the US. Still lower in probability would be violent crime - but again, those countries look better than the US.
06-17-18, 02:39 PM
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06-17-18, 02:42 PM
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Actually, you should go RIGHT NOW. The closer to August you get the busier the roads with regional vacationing traffic.
I hear the Turks and Greeks are terrible on Flemish roads.
I hear the Turks and Greeks are terrible on Flemish roads.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 06-17-18 at 02:56 PM.
06-17-18, 02:42 PM
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Thread moved from General Cycling to Advocacy + Safety.
06-17-18, 02:44 PM
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06-17-18, 02:51 PM
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I wouldn't go to France if you paid me beaucoup dollars. If you do go make friends
with a smart biker and stick with him or her as the case may be.
with a smart biker and stick with him or her as the case may be.
06-17-18, 03:31 PM
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Ooh, politics. This is going to be epic!
06-17-18, 03:32 PM
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I wouldn't let the current world political climate prevent me from going bike touring in Europe. But if I were European, I wouldn't go bike touring in the U.S., as I would not want to spend my dollars in a country that's threatening the world democratic order and the world economy.
I live in So. Cal. where in the summer the roads are clogged by mindless tourists who are totally clueless and who drive with their cellphones pointed at all the pretty attractions.
I know, because I was rear-ended by one.
As far as I am concerned please do all of us a favor and stay home.
No turistas por favor.
No tourists please.
Pas de touristes s’il vous plait.
I think the above covers NAFTA requirements.
Last edited by eja_ bottecchia; 06-17-18 at 03:36 PM.
06-17-18, 03:36 PM
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You are right, it makes sense to do it with someone who lives there and knows the best, and safest, bike riding areas.
Fortunately, I have friends in all three countries. Heck, I can even jump the Channel and ride with friends there.
06-17-18, 05:38 PM
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My wife and I, along with our two daughters, are leaving this Tuesday for a 7 week ride starting from Paris> Switzerland (?)> Germany>Belgium, and ending in Amsterdam. I agree with most folks that is a relatively safe place to ride. I suspect that more people were killed in mass shootings this year in the U.S. than by terrorists is all the countries in Western Europe. Our last ride there was in 2015, which included some Easter European countries and we did have any issues.
My main concern is how the rest of the world views Americans. I may wear my Canadian T-shirt
My main concern is how the rest of the world views Americans. I may wear my Canadian T-shirt
06-17-18, 06:10 PM
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I wouldn't let the current world political climate prevent me from going bike touring in Europe. But if I were European, I wouldn't go bike touring in the U.S., as I would not want to spend my dollars in a country that's threatening the world democratic order and the world economy.
06-17-18, 09:25 PM
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06-17-18, 10:03 PM
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As far as people living here are concerned, your president is the most unpopular that the US has ever elected and heartily disliked. However, that doesn’t extend to Americans generally, where the same attitude applies to as it does to everyone: if you behave like a rude, loudmouthed tourist, you’ll won’t be welcomed, whether you are American, Chilean, English, or Central African Republican.
06-17-18, 10:49 PM
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I don't think Europe is any less safe today than it was during the Red Brigades or any of the other occasional weirdness. And the US is plenty safe as well - the third most populous country on earth is going to have more incidents than smaller populations. Wherever you go, don't cycle through the worst part of town.
06-18-18, 08:14 AM
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Why the hesitation to go to Europe? I know (very little) about some european stuff but I can say with a level of confidence is that in rural places are generally older folks and sparsely populated, I doubt those areas will be any hotbeds of anti-American sentiment lol
06-18-18, 09:22 AM
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Amen! I went to a cycle "camp" in NE Italy 5 years ago with some riding partners. One wet morning we hopped the local bus to town to catch a train to Venice for the day. The bus was quiet when we got on. People relaxing. Students reading. Then two members of our group started a loud conversation across the aisle. Most embarrassing. To make a long story short, the driver and a passenger sitting in the front seat made a bet as to whether we were Canadian or American. The driver finally turned around to ask one of us where we were from. Judging from his and the passenger's reactions, he won the bet.
06-18-18, 09:38 AM
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I'm leaving for France for two and a half weeks mid-July. Does that answer your question? No apprehension or second thoughts about it whatsoever.
Yup. Never had an issue traveling in Europe as an American. Everyone I've witnessed who thought that Europeans hated them because of their nationality, didn't realize I also didn't like them despite sharing a nationality.
Yup. Never had an issue traveling in Europe as an American. Everyone I've witnessed who thought that Europeans hated them because of their nationality, didn't realize I also didn't like them despite sharing a nationality.
06-18-18, 11:54 AM
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Oh... it has been a couple of decades since I did solo tent touring in Italy.
I'd go back in a heartbeat.. I should put that on the calendar sometime.
I was travelling in Egypt just before the 9/11 attack.
Since then, the country has gone through a few upheavals, and I think I would have avoided the country for a decade or so, but it looks like Cairo, Luxor, and many of the popular tourist areas are considered reasonably safe. But, there are some advisories to heed.
I'd go back in a heartbeat.. I should put that on the calendar sometime.
I was travelling in Egypt just before the 9/11 attack.
Since then, the country has gone through a few upheavals, and I think I would have avoided the country for a decade or so, but it looks like Cairo, Luxor, and many of the popular tourist areas are considered reasonably safe. But, there are some advisories to heed.
