Comments for Kristiina Weber Blog http://www.kristiinaweber.com Travelling, wine and photography Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on Cycling in Tallinn by Kristiina Weber http://www.kristiinaweber.com/cycling-in-tallinn/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Kristiina Weber Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:47:00 +0000 http://www.kristiinaweber.com/?p=211#comment-11 I would say that I agree with you Toomas on most parts. However, being a local, I am utterly scared to drive in the center of Tallinn. Yes, there are cycle lines in suburbia and even beyond, but you really cannot hold these small parts of road just between sidewalk and car road to be safe for tourists (as some cycle lines are in Tallinn center). It may very well be, that Tallinn and Estonia have the best network of cycling roads (since I haven't driven in any other Baltic states by bike, I cannot argue with you), but I wouldn't agree that they are safe and easy. Sometimes the roads (and I mean here the sidewalks meant for pedestrians) are so narrow that it's practically impossible to drive on them. Hence you are forced to drive between cars and if you cannot reach normal speed say 30-50 kmph, tend to vobble and want to drive next to your companion, you're dissappointed and terrified. Why? Because the cars do not have enough space to drive safely pass. So I would say that as a local I do know a thing and two about cycling in Tallinn. Maybe I am not so bold and skillful in it, but so may not be tourists for that matter. I would say that I agree with you Toomas on most parts. However, being a local, I am utterly scared to drive in the center of Tallinn. Yes, there are cycle lines in suburbia and even beyond, but you really cannot hold these small parts of road just between sidewalk and car road to be safe for tourists (as some cycle lines are in Tallinn center).

It may very well be, that Tallinn and Estonia have the best network of cycling roads (since I haven’t driven in any other Baltic states by bike, I cannot argue with you), but I wouldn’t agree that they are safe and easy. Sometimes the roads (and I mean here the sidewalks meant for pedestrians) are so narrow that it’s practically impossible to drive on them. Hence you are forced to drive between cars and if you cannot reach normal speed say 30-50 kmph, tend to vobble and want to drive next to your companion, you’re dissappointed and terrified. Why? Because the cars do not have enough space to drive safely pass.

So I would say that as a local I do know a thing and two about cycling in Tallinn. Maybe I am not so bold and skillful in it, but so may not be tourists for that matter.

]]> Comment on Cycling in Tallinn by Toomas http://www.kristiinaweber.com/cycling-in-tallinn/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Toomas Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:13:18 +0000 http://www.kristiinaweber.com/?p=211#comment-9 A bit sad to hear that local people don't know much about cycling in Tallinn. Among Baltics (Latvia and Lithuania) included Tallinn has the best network of cycling roads. There are more than 160 km of roads and with next 2 years 200 million Kroons will be invested to connect roads with neighbouring areas, more than 100 new km of cycle lines. It is quite easy to cycle in Tallinn and easy to arrive from west side, cycle road starts from Muraste and goes easily through Tallinn, Centre and Old Town. And further on to Pirita, passing Botanical Garden and going through Maardu towards Narva. There are more than 300 bicycles on 6-7 different rental companies and 2-3 ones organising bicycle tours in the city. Cycling is OK, just have to be careful with parking the bicycle in a safe place over the night. A bit sad to hear that local people don’t know much about cycling in Tallinn.
Among Baltics (Latvia and Lithuania) included Tallinn has the best network of cycling roads.
There are more than 160 km of roads and with next 2 years 200 million Kroons will be invested to connect roads with neighbouring areas, more than 100 new km of cycle lines.
It is quite easy to cycle in Tallinn and easy to arrive from west side, cycle road starts from Muraste and goes easily through Tallinn, Centre and Old Town. And further on to Pirita, passing Botanical Garden and going through Maardu towards Narva.
There are more than 300 bicycles on 6-7 different rental companies and 2-3 ones organising bicycle tours in the city.
Cycling is OK, just have to be careful with parking the bicycle in a safe place over the night.

]]>