Comments: except for loading

great colours and textures

I totally know what you mean about the pedestrian only zones in europe. I visited france last year and I loved the way people could just walk, shop, and socialize without having to worry about (or be disturbed by) cars.

Posted by payam at November 7, 2005 02:35 AM

Interesting comment on European town planning. Oxford's concessions to pedestrians and cyclists are excellent, but have produced a city centre that is widely acclaimed as having the worst traffic problem in England (next to London, of course).

Posted by Richard Hayter at November 7, 2005 03:32 AM

beautiful n clean.. really love the shot and the framing - its just so perfect.

Posted by prasoon at November 7, 2005 05:09 AM

I don't want to ruin your illusion, but Oxford is somehwat of an exception in England as its population is so bicycle-oriented. There are many other cities in England that loathe the pedestrian as much as in the States (although you can never turn right on a red signal here - much safer for the man on foot!)

Love the photos - the brickworks series were amazing.

Posted by bob mcdermott at November 7, 2005 05:35 AM

I was amazed by this too - when I first arrived in UK for my studies from Malaysia. The city feels very car-less. I think they do it to reduce clutter and make space. Pedestrians + bicycles are less of a parking problem than cars are.

Posted by jiko at November 7, 2005 06:12 AM

Yes, possibly. I've never been to North America. I wouldn't say the cyclist/pedestrian arrangements are an especially widespread feature though, beyond city 'cycle lanes' and closed-off shopping areas. And Oxford is an unusually attractive place - one of the nicest cities, not representative!

'Space' is much nicer; I think the UK is unpleasantly overcrowded.

Posted by James Lomax at November 7, 2005 07:01 AM

You gotta have pedestrianised areas! Your oxford shots are awesome, making me want to go!

Posted by Phil at November 7, 2005 07:17 AM

Oh,is that what the sign says? I thought it said no jumping over cars with motorcycles during those hours. 10:01am would be an interesting sight.

Posted by Dragus at November 7, 2005 08:34 AM

Here in Portugal it's rare to see spaces like this. Only in the major cities there are designed areas and they are not very big. In my city, it was projected a huge area for people and cyclists but at the end they only made a little spot smaller than the space you show in your city. Why did they bother, I ask?

Posted by nuno f at November 7, 2005 08:37 AM

you should visit amsterdam :)

Posted by dominik at November 7, 2005 09:34 AM

Maybe we, Canadians, should forward Sam's photo and comments to Ottawa! just wondering.

Posted by Moussa at November 7, 2005 10:17 AM

I totally agree with you on this one Sam! Your picture captures a beautiful dream of no cars and only bikes! A simple time when a man could enjoy a big handle bar mustache and ride an oversized bike. Hey, and maybe while we are at it, we can get rid of computers and t.v.'s too! That way we can all live like smelly hippies! In case you can't tell, that's sarcasm my friend!
God could you even imagine the smell of the world if everyone rode around on bikes all the time?! It would smell like dead whale ass! So if you want to enjoy hot sweaty whale ass keep dreaming! I'll be in my car with the ac cranked.

Oh, awsome picture though, I feel a certain briand de la frionte. Well done.

Posted by keith at November 7, 2005 11:13 AM

Yup, Oxford is one of the most beautiful city's I know.

Love this shot, it's only a pitty that the pole is in the way..

Posted by Bram at November 7, 2005 11:24 AM

wow very intersting and creative shoting...

Posted by Pooriya at November 7, 2005 11:30 AM

Beautifull shot. If you are ever in Holland, try visit Hilversum, also known as InfraHell.

Posted by Spokesman at November 7, 2005 12:23 PM

Although I don't know any german place which could compete against Oxford, considering the bicycle-thing you should go to Freiburg or Muenster, the latter has a complete carfree inner city. There are twice as much bicycles as there are people in Muenster!

Posted by Simon at November 7, 2005 12:30 PM

oh man, my housemates parents live in oxford, and they keep inviting us all to go and stay for the weekend!

i think im gonna have to go check it out!

Posted by russ at November 7, 2005 12:32 PM

upon closer inspection, I just noticed what this place is! I didn't see the sign when I looked last time. I think that a place where motercycles are alowed to jump buses, except from 6 to 10 of course, is all right by me!! Did you jump any buses while in Oxford? Or did your bike slam into the side of a building?

Posted by keith at November 7, 2005 02:04 PM

Oxford is on my travel list. Thanks for capturing it so well Sam, a huge inspiration to beginners like myself!

Posted by Shane at November 7, 2005 02:22 PM

Hey Keith, I must say you have a weird way of commenting the photos...

Great series of Oxford photos...

Posted by Sanjin at November 7, 2005 03:16 PM

wow i couldnt agree more, sam. we need more places for bikes and safe travel, enough of freeways and busy car-filled streets. great shot too, by the way.

Posted by john benjamin at November 7, 2005 03:26 PM

The photo is great. Toronto has a lot of bicycle trails though through parks, for leisure its nice. But trying to navigate Toronto on a daily basis by bike can be dangerous, especially with crazy cabbies who think a person on a bike has to yield to them. However public transit can get you anywhere in the city...

Posted by A.R. at November 7, 2005 03:55 PM

i love the colors on top right portion of the shot

Posted by flying cow at November 7, 2005 07:19 PM

I just love Oxford, don't you dawling?

Posted by Natasha at November 7, 2005 08:49 PM

Sam, I'm reminded of some of the proposals that were flying around as a result of the Car Free Kensingtno festivals last year.

My big surprise in that picture is the mountain bike front and centre, and clearly unlocked. After 2 years of cycling in Toronto I shake my head at anyone leaving a bike unlocked (although my Toronto bike was its own theft prevention system).

Posted by Chris at November 7, 2005 10:24 PM

i would love this in toronto. it would be just perfect. imagine harbourfront with no cars. wow.

Posted by paolo at November 7, 2005 10:53 PM

Great picture.

British local authorties are trying to make more people only zones mainly because they are scared of the number of traffic acedents we have a year.

The middle of Southampton is now mostly buses and people.

Posted by Vanella Mead at November 8, 2005 04:04 AM

When I forst saw this photo I wasn't amazed... I now realise it is just because I live round the corner so see this every day. I prefer your photos of more hidden away bits of Oxford. I really do love this city. I agree that Oxford is certainly an exception in terms of provisions for cyclists, it is always very strange when I go elsewhere and don't see a cyclist for days!

Posted by Beth at November 8, 2005 05:00 AM

OK, Sam, I got it. The unlocked bike on the pole is yours, right? That would answer the why-s-it-unlocked question (especially since it has a lock on the handlebars.

Glad I wasn't the only one who thought of Evel Knievel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evel_Knievel) antics when they saw the sign. :-)

Nice shot, Sam.

Posted by Rod Thomas at November 8, 2005 01:23 PM

Wooooo!! This is my home Town!!! Everyone look how nice it can be!! Apart from all the chavs!! Very nice photo, there are some great picture locations in Oxford.

W~

Posted by Will G~ at November 13, 2005 08:42 AM

Really nice perspective and colors. The road leads me right into the shot.

Posted by Abe at November 13, 2005 12:34 PM

flying motorcycles pose impending danger in public areas. did anyone see the island by the way?? ok, nice capture here...too.

Posted by snigelx at December 18, 2005 02:48 PM
Post a comment










Remember personal info?


Note: your comments might not appear instantly due to comment moderation to prevent spamming.