Switzerland  We're back from a great trip to Switzerland to see the Agility World Championships. The U.S. team did well, although the competition is very tough. Europeans have been competing in agility for a very long time, much longer than here in the U.S. Jennifer Crank and her do Guess won second place in the Medium Individual category, a great accomplishment. It's amazing what these well-trained dogs can do.

Bike are everywhere in Switzerland. There are bike lanes on most of the major streets and good bike parking facilities in most places, including the train stations. People ride their bikes for transportation, and almost all bikes have fenders, lights, and kickstands. Most people park their bikes upright, with the rear wheel locked. Apparently bike theft is not a huge problem, as bikes are parked freestanding overnight on most streets.

Public transportation is excellent, with a trolley and bus system that serves almost all parts of the city. Buses and trolleys run about every 5-8 minutes. The routes are clearly marked on excellent maps. Motel guests are issued a pass that allows them to use the city's transit services for free for the length of their stay. It makes the U.S. look like a third world country.
posted by Bruce Wright at 3:08 PM #