The return of the pollution
All this week, the speed limit on the autoroutes around Grenoble have been reduced to 70 kilometres an hour. They do this when we've had stable air over the Alps, which has allowed the pollution to sit in the valley and build up. The advantage of living in Grenoble are the great mountain views in every direction, but then the pollution can't escape and we have to breathe crap.
The following website illustrates the state of the air in the Isere department.
http://www.atmo-rhonealpes.org/site/resultats/previsions/previsions.php#
In 2003, when the heatwave hit France and 15,000 people died, we had the speed limit for most of the summer. It's warm at the moment with the temperatures in the low 30's, but nothing like two years ago. That summer, we didn't even go outside during the day and kept the shutters closed all summer.
Most people are quite happy to drive at the slower speed, but of course, there are a minority who are in a rush or just don't care. It also amazes me how some French have the ability to exceed the speed limit, and come flying up behind a slower car and have to brake. There is also the other group of drivers who seem happy to drive a metre behind the car in front at 140 kilometres an hour.
On a positive point, I've heard that the number of fatalities on French roads has been dramatically reduced. I've never felt threatened on bike, but I find driving in France can be the most stressful experience of life in France. Apart of course, from the experience my wife and I had with dealing with the administration at the town hall in Grenoble before getting married in Grenoble in 2001.
The following website illustrates the state of the air in the Isere department.
http://www.atmo-rhonealpes.org/site/resultats/previsions/previsions.php#
In 2003, when the heatwave hit France and 15,000 people died, we had the speed limit for most of the summer. It's warm at the moment with the temperatures in the low 30's, but nothing like two years ago. That summer, we didn't even go outside during the day and kept the shutters closed all summer.
Most people are quite happy to drive at the slower speed, but of course, there are a minority who are in a rush or just don't care. It also amazes me how some French have the ability to exceed the speed limit, and come flying up behind a slower car and have to brake. There is also the other group of drivers who seem happy to drive a metre behind the car in front at 140 kilometres an hour.
On a positive point, I've heard that the number of fatalities on French roads has been dramatically reduced. I've never felt threatened on bike, but I find driving in France can be the most stressful experience of life in France. Apart of course, from the experience my wife and I had with dealing with the administration at the town hall in Grenoble before getting married in Grenoble in 2001.
posted by Russell Standring at 10:26 AM
1 Comments:
Russell,
A long overdue thanks to you for your site and your wealth of info, which helped me so much when I came to see last years 2004 TDF...all the way from Los Angeles CA...With my bike. I am grateful for your service to your fellow cyclistes. I had the time of my life...needless to say...and I can't wait to return!
I have to laugh at your description of French driving since it took me several days to adjust to the intensity of the local drivers, which I encountered immediately after picking up my Renault Kangoo from Europcar at GVA airport.
I finally just convinced myself that it was only a bit more stressful than a day driving in LA. One of the first of many connections that I observed in the behavior of the French citizens and those here in Southern California. I also noticed the air quality issue in Grenoble and indeed the sickly sweet smell of diesel in the air. Of course I live in the smog capital of the world, though we're having a good year, so I'm not being critical, just sympathetic.
I'm glad to see you adding a blog, so I'll be checking back in from time to time. In closing I have to include a comment as to what an Epic day Stage 10 (still today for me) turned out to be for the TDF and true cycling fans everywhere...Magnificent and classic.
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