Daniel: 32% of people who work here (Oxford University), they cycle. CYC: How do you know that figure off the top of your head? Daniel: Cos' it's published on our internet site. It's due to the fact that the're not enough parking spaces available CYC: Oh, so its a parking issue. Sarah: They do um encourage us to cycle every Thursday. Oxford University has a mobile cycle van at work for any servicing and repairs that we need. Daniel: And also we get 15% off at a bike store here.
CYC: Do you guys have a word for the stripe up your back you get when the water comes up from the wheel? Phillip: No but I know what you mean. CYC: Like some people call it like a skunk tail or . . . . Phillip: I'm very familiar with that !
CYC: Now how did you choose this fold up model. That looks very, can you throw it in the trunk of your car? David: Years ago I had one: I was a diplomat abroad a long time. The first thing I had was a chauffeur driven car actually! The bike we had orginally was fold up because what you can do; you can put it in the car, and you can often, you can park the car way away, and get close to your target, and then use the bike for the last bit. I find it more amenable. It's a matter of practicality. This one is Italian, it seems to be rather of good value. because it's ah, got everything built on it: lights and dynamo. So you can buy the whole thing as a deal, it's quite reasonable. Bicycling is becoming much more popular since these bombs actually, but it's just a redirection, I think it will wear of very quickly, worn off already actually. CYC: When I was in New York they had mentioned, um during their own incident of nine eleven and also during the blackout. It was actually nice to have a bicycle, just to get around. So if there is a sort of a chaos in an urban environment . . . David: That's right, the great thing about a bicycle in a large city is you can usually know exactly how long you're going take to get from A to B because you can weave in and out of the traffic.
Gustav: We bicycle for fun mostly. But we don't bicycle to school, we normally take the car. CYC: Oh ok. Berta: They bicycle to the playscheme which is their scheme for holidays to look after your children. CYC: You say you live in London. Is it dangerous to ride in London? Gustav: More dangerous than here (Oxford). Berta: That said, I teach at St Catherine's College Oxford, I'm a musicologist. And the year I joined the staff we lost a student to a bicycle accident, she was actually killed. She was crushed by a bus. CYC: Oh that's terrible. Berta: Her brakes failed. So one does have to very careful. And the danger in Oxford is that one becomes too casual, because you have small streets. And you think you're safe that way but then you take chances. And things can go very wrong cuz there's too much traffic in Oxford for the smallness of the place.
CYC: Now you seem properly dressed, it's not a discouragement in this kind of weather for you to ride? Pierre: Twelve minutes, from door to door. Hail. Rain. Sun. Shine. Whatever. Bomb, no bombs, anything!
CYC: Why're you on your bicycle right now? Lasantha: Uh, I went to de gym and uh you asking why I'm using the bike instead of the car? CYC: may . . . yeah sure. Lasantha: Oh right. Because uh there are several factors. Uh, in the city; the traffic, you can't park, and the health reasons. And the third reason is the environmental. Everytime you use the vehicle you emit carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
CYC: So you say you were just doing interviews around environmental issues. When you ride your bike are you thinking in terms of the environment? Miguel: It's practical and fun. It's a way of life in Oxford. CYC: Even in the rain. Miguel: Absolutely. CYC: But are there environmental reasons as well? Miguel: No. CYC: It's purely practical, common sense. Miguel: Yah, there is a byproduct of course but that's not the reason I ride.
