Why I’m moving to Vilnius, Lithuania

In the Lithuanian capitol of Vilnius, they respect their bike lanes.

Check out the PSA below that features the city’s mayor, A. Zuokas driving a tank over expensive cars illegally parked in the bike lane.

I love that he not only destroys the Mercedes, but he sweeps the bike lane afterwards. And he rides too! Another highlight was that he shook the car owners hand afterward. Of course, I’m sure this was staged, but as far as public service announcements go, this is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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SilkySlim
SilkySlim
13 years ago

With our extensive military infrastructure, I think we could do way more damage. I am picturing drones targeting right-hooking cars, bomb-dismantling robots pruning trees that encroach on bike lanes….

Christian Otholm
Christian Otholm
13 years ago

Good luck riding your bike at winter though. Vilnius doesn’t exactly have the greatest track record cleaning up snow.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
13 years ago

Very dramatic!

Man that could have been such a cool2 video … if Sam had done it before…for purposes of Platinum. Fox would have had a field day. 😉

I guess there is more surplus military hardware out there than in Portland…all we have to defend our bike lanes out here is an iPhone app or the SWAT Homeland Security team’s armoured car (doubt they would lend it out to defend bike lanes).

Looking closely at the video’s ending…was that a Brompton or Dahon the Mayor rode off on? Though it looked like it had an electric motor…he did not pedal away…though it was downhill.

Jene-Paul
13 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

A beer says it was definitely some kinda motorized scooter, Todd – can’t see any pedals or chainring. Squashing offender’s vehicles is appealing but enforcement by towing leaves less mess.

Evan
Evan
13 years ago

I hear there is an opening for Portland Mayor…anybody got this guy’s number?

Alan 1.0
Alan 1.0
13 years ago

Don’t I recall something about not fostering car versus bike antagonisms?

pants
pants
13 years ago

This was a stunt shot over the weekend for a popular Swedish TV series, “99 Things You Should Do Before You Die”. Still, kind of awesome.