I come from New Zealand, a country where cycling is more of a sport than a way to get around every day, where almost everyone has their car: the preferred vehicle on the roads.
I am a project manager on large construction projects (administrative or school). During these projects, the problem of mobility always arises. Mobility plans are set up to change people’s habits. Some people complain that they are forced to consider other means of transportation but then often change their minds. Their quality of life is better and so is their health.
What led you to get involved with Pro Vélo?
I would like to encourage cycling, especially among children. If they ride a bike when they are young, they will probably ride again later on!
As a resident of Chêne-Bourg, I worked on the school mobility survey as a member of the APE. I analysed the parents’ comments on the so-called dangerous places and produced the maps that were presented to the town hall. It was this motivating project that led me to join PVGE.
How did your involvement start?
Once I joined PVGE, I contacted the association to get involved as a volunteer. I was able to join the 3 Chêne and France voisine group and, since then, I have had the opportunity and the pleasure of managing the relationship between PVGE and the town hall.
How do you judge the situation of cyclists in Geneva?
When I arrived here 8 years ago, I was told that I was crazy to ride a bike because it was too dangerous. This surprised me a lot because I found Geneva rather small and manageable compared to Auckland or London. I find drivers quite polite to cyclists. I rode throughout my pregnancies and then with the babies in a cart.
Having lived in London, I realized that the more cyclists there are, the safer the roads are. For a real modal shift, we need safe and continuous cycling facilities. Discouraging car use is also important: I am surprised by the priority given to cars in a city so small and so well served by public transport. Geneva is behind on this issue compared to other European cities
