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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about “cycling”
Wednesday, 24 February, 2010
Wheels are spinning in pro-cycling circles following surprising figures released yesterday by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention: Twice as many cyclists died in road accidents in 2009 as the year before. In all, 55 cyclists were killed last year and 850 seriously injured. WRS’s Mark Butcher spoke with Jean-François Steiert, president of Pro Velo Schweiz in Bern, the country’s leading cycling lobby, who says it’s too early to give a serious analysis of what’s happened:
Monday, 31 August, 2009
Cyclists in Switzerland are obliged to buy a 5-franc “velovignette” each year to display on their bikes. These stickers are unique identifiers that can help recover lost or stolen bikes, but more importantly they serve as an insurance which covers damage costs in case of accidents. Cyclists seem to think the benefits are well worth the small cost, but some say the decades-old program is obsolete—and now its future is on the table. WRS’s Eloi Ruegg has the story:
Clash over cycling helmet rules just gearing up
Wednesday, 29 July, 2009
The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention wants to make helmet use obligatory for cyclists aged 14 and under. Taking an unexpected stance, Switzerland’s national biking association Pro Vélo argues that helmets aren’t necessary for kids or adults—mainly, it seems, because it worries this would give the impression that cycling is dangerous, which could mean less bikes on the road, which would be more dangerous. Lucas Chambers asks both sides for an explanation—and goes to the playground to find out what the kids think about all this.
Wednesday, 29 July, 2009
The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention wants to make helmet use obligatory for cyclists aged 14 and under. Taking an unexpected stance, Switzerland’s national biking association Pro Vélo argues that helmets aren’t necessary for kids or adults—mainly, it seems, because it worries this would give the impression that cycling is dangerous, which could mean less bikes on the road, which would be more dangerous. Lucas Chambers asks both sides for an explanation—and goes to the playground to find out what the kids think about all this.
Huge crowd cheers Contador to Verbier finish
Monday, 20 July, 2009
The Tour de France came back to Switzerland yesterday for the first time since 2000. Down the Jura, across cantons Vaud and Fribourg and into the Valais, Alberto Contador finally crossed the finish line first in Verbier. Better known for its great skiing, the resort town lobbied 19 years to pull in this enormous sporting event, the third biggest in the world after the Olympics and World Cup Football. The cost is equally huge, of course, but in the end the exposure may well be worth it. As for the some 100,000 fans who gathered en masse to watch the event? Reporter Lucas Chambers waded in among them to bring us some first hand impressions.
Monday, 20 July, 2009
The Tour de France came back to Switzerland yesterday for the first time since 2000. Down the Jura, across cantons Vaud and Fribourg and into the Valais, Alberto Contador finally crossed the finish line first in Verbier. Better known for its great skiing, the resort town lobbied 19 years to pull in this enormous sporting event, the third biggest in the world after the Olympics and World Cup Football. The cost is equally huge, of course, but in the end the exposure may well be worth it. As for the some 100,000 fans who gathered en masse to watch the event? Reporter Lucas Chambers waded in among them to bring us some first hand impressions.
Verbier set for a big finish
Friday, 17 July, 2009
The Tour de France will pass through the Swiss Alps on Sunday as the 15th stage is completed in Verbier. It’s not the first time the event has come to Switzerland, but it is the first time for this particular mountain resort, so WRS’s Conor Lennon called up Pierre-Yves Délèze from the Verbier organising committee to ask how spectators can best experience the finish—and whether the weather is going to be on our side.
Friday, 17 July, 2009
The Tour de France will pass through the Swiss Alps on Sunday as the 15th stage is completed in Verbier. It’s not the first time the event has come to Switzerland, but it is the first time for this particular mountain resort, so WRS’s Conor Lennon called up Pierre-Yves Délèze from the Verbier organising committee to ask how spectators can best experience the finish—and whether the weather is going to be on our side.
Monday, 22 June, 2009
Michele Mischler meets Claude Marthaler, the legendary round-the-world cyclist who has pedalled his way to the world’s most remote parts, about his experiences and the motivation behind his epic self-powered trips.
Wednesday, 17 June, 2009
The hills are alive with the sound of mountain-bikers. At least that’s what tourism officials in some parts of the country are hoping. Mountain biking is a growing trend. In German speaking countries alone, there are an estimated 13 million bikers compared to just four million skiers. St Moritz recently announced plans for a new mountain bike concept for its ski slopes. The small resort of Savognin – also in canton Graubunden – has been welcoming bikers for years. Our reporter Vincent Landon saddled up to hit the trails.
Monday, 15 June, 2009
They used to be sports junkies or odd balls, but today they’re top managers, donning helmets and strapping down their pants at the heel. Over the next month, 50,000 employees from over 1,000 companies around the country will be cycling to work, as part of a new nationwide cycle-commuting initiative.
Wednesday, 10 June, 2009
Just when you thought it might be time to get on your bike and do your bit for the environment, you might want to think again. It’s been reported in the news that Switzerland has a relatively average record when it comes to cycle safety. According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, up to 60,000 cyclists get injured every year, half of them on Switzerland’s roads. WRS’s Adam Beaumont spoke to Marienne Fässler from Pro Vélo - the country’s leading cycling lobby group – and began by asking her if she was alarmed by the figures.
Monday, 1 June, 2009
Pro-cycling campaigners are continuing their calls in support of the national policy which requires bikes to be registered using ’vignettes’ or stickers, which allow bikes to be traced, and provide their owners with insurance if they get into an accident. Last week, the Senate voted to bring an end to the practice, with supporters of the move saying most cyclists are already covered by their personal liability insurance. Those in favour of retaining the stickers say that, at an average price of CHF 5 countrywide, they guarantee affordable insurance for everyone.
Tuesday, 21 April, 2009
Sales have doubled every year for the past three years. In 2008, 11 thousand electric bicycles were sold across the country. The government is strongly in favour of these two-wheeled wonders as they reduce congestion, noise pollution and CO2 emissions. In fact many municipalities across Switzerland offer subsidies for purchasing new e-bikes, and it seems to be resonating with urban families. Now more residents are opting to use a combination of bicycles and public transportation instead of a car. WRS video journalist Amy Wong raced local parliamentarian Michèle Künzler to City Hall to find out more.
Cycling wheels out ‘passports’ to unmask cheats
Tuesday, 6 May, 2008
Many sports face problems with doping, but none have had to deal with the bad press that competitive cycling has faced over the past couple of years. Two successive tainted Tours de France have stripped the sport of credibility, and discouraged fans and sponsors alike. The International Cycling Union is the sport’s governing body and it has come up with a new and radical plan using “biological passports” to combat doping. WRS’s Pete Forster spoke to the head of the ICU, Pat McQuaid.
Tuesday, 6 May, 2008
Many sports face problems with doping, but none have had to deal with the bad press that competitive cycling has faced over the past couple of years. Two successive tainted Tours de France have stripped the sport of credibility, and discouraged fans and sponsors alike. The International Cycling Union is the sport’s governing body and it has come up with a new and radical plan using “biological passports” to combat doping. WRS’s Pete Forster spoke to the head of the ICU, Pat McQuaid.
