T.A. Rides with the Mayors of Sydney & Copenhagen

[intro music]

Paul Steely White: [00:08] Today we have the Mayors of Copenhagen and Sydney with us to do a bike ride in Central Park. They’re here with many other world Mayors for the Climate Summit, where at least 40 world Mayors are meeting to talk about what their cities are doing to combat climate change and create more liveable cities. And Copenhagen is arguably the world’s most liveable big city.

Mayor Klaus Bondam: [00:32] I think it’s essential that the big cities collaborate in doing something about the climate change. I come from a small city. Copenhagen is a very small city, we’re half a million habitants, but what we can do is that we can show an example. We have a quite good environmental performance already. But for example concerning of bikes, 40% of our citizens use their bike 365 days a year going back and forwards to work and education. And it saves a lot of [unintelligible 01:04]. It’s an example we can show and it’s also an example by participating in this event here.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore: [01:11] Cycling’s very important initiative in Sydney where we’ve just finished our cycle plan, we’re just about to build a dedicated cycle route. We’re encouraging Sydneysiders to get out of their cars and to start cycling and so I’m very excited in joining the Mayor of Copenhagen and other world Mayors in promoting that.

[music]

Mayor Klaus Bondam: [01:59] It was seven years ago since I was here last time, it was under construction the last time I was here. I think it looks beautiful. It’s a very good example of how people enjoy relaxed city life. People like spaces in the city where there are no cars.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore: [02:18] Oh I think your Park’s wonderful. I think it’s absolutely precious. It’s… the hotel’s just opposite the park, I sneaked across and walked through as often as I can.

Paul Steely White: [02:30] We understand that both Mayors have been explaining to our Mayors and their staff the great progress that they’ve made in transforming their streets to be a lot more bike friendly. So there’s been a lot of exchange of ideas here at the Summit and this ride is I think really an opportunity to make a more forceful statement that bicycling is the green transportation for cities in the 21^st century.