The May Challenge is an opportunity to experience your city from a completely different perspective, says the operations director of the Světozor cinema

The Prague cinema Světozor is part of the Aerokina network. They have long supported our Bike to Work challenge as a media partner. Its employees, as active participants in the May Challenge, prove that even the city center itself or a workplace on a hill does not have to be a problem for cycling. We talked to Světozor’s operations director, Julián Naglmüller, about not only what the problem is, but also how it should be solved.

Aerokina has been a media partner of the Bike to Work challenge for many years. Why is it important to you?

I think that all of us who work at Aerokina are close to sports and cycling as a means of urban transport. And we all care about the environment, conditions, and shared space of the city where we move. We all perceive the difference between whether it is made up of a main road or a pedestrian zone. We are more of the type of people who would like to live in a city that is not dominated only by cars. But the May challenge is also fun and a means of mutual motivation to jump on a bike and just try it.

Do you ride a bike to work?

I admit that I used to ride a lot more. During high school and college. In recent years, I have slowed down a bit and I walk more. I live in Břevnov and I walk to the center via a beautiful route via Petřín. But I also ride a bike here and there.

And do you participate in the May Challenge? I know from earlier that you have several teams formed every year…

I have always participated so far. I try to do cycling during the season as a recreational activity. The May Challenge is a team thing for me and a kind of opener of the cycling season. It’s about 6 kilometers to work, so it’s not a big feat. But I understand that there are people who break records with their colleagues as part of their efforts.

So is your willingness to cycle around the city decreasing because of the state of the infrastructure?

Yes and no. I am convinced that if the city creates suitable conditions for cycling, it certainly helps people switch to sustainable transport. For me, the biggest obstacle is probably the weather and climate. When it’s raining or wet and I’ve just taken off my mudguards, I just don’t feel like cycling. I’ve become a bit lazy and soft (laughs). But riding a bike in traffic isn’t that much of a problem for me, although I understand that for many people the issue of safety is crucial.

So in your case, the May Challenge is a real challenge…

It makes a lot of sense. Every year in May, I see more people on bikes in the streets. And it’s inspiring when you see that you’re not alone and that there are lots of other people who are doing the same thing as you. You don’t feel like you don’t belong in the traffic and you feel like you’re a full part of it. I think that’s a really important aspect of the challenge, that lots of people get to experience something that they can then repeat over the next few months.

On the left is Julián’s colleague Michal from Aero cinema, on the right is his colleague Petr from Světozor. Ride Prague – Ještěd – Prague. 215 km and almost 2300 meters of elevation gain in one day.

What causes this feeling of inadequacy in traffic?

Even though I’m pretty lucky and my commute usually includes some kind of cycling infrastructure, there are still stretches where you feel like calling out to other road users: Hello, I’m here too. You can’t push me off the road, or ignore me.

Can you compare this situation with other cities than Prague?

I only have experience as a visitor. I have experienced Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, or Bordeaux. There I felt much more at ease and relaxed. In Prague, the relationships between individual traffic participants are quite tense, as if they were completely different worlds that simply do not understand each other. And I think that is the reason why a “hostile” or hostile environment is created here. Which I have never felt in the so-called West. And that is not even in very heavy traffic.

Do you have any explanation for why this is the case?

There will certainly be more of these factors. Perhaps it is related to the fact that many people perceive Prague as extremely unsuitable for cycling. There are hills and blocks everywhere… So anyone who rides a bike through its streets is actually a bit crazy or a left-wing extremist who hates cars. I often come across drivers who have such an attitude that with a two-ton SUV they have bought the right to exclusive use of the road. A piece of freedom that they have bought and want to enjoy properly. What is sorely needed here is some effort to find consensus.

So it’s more of a cultural war…

And it’s hard for the participants to solve it themselves. I’m convinced that the solution has to be systemic. I don’t think people themselves would realize this en masse. We need courageous leadership that will show us the way, that the city doesn’t have to belong only to cars. And it will make decisions that may not be completely popular with everyone, but from a long-term perspective are all the more important. Until our representatives find this courage, because there’s actually not that much demand for it, we won’t move.

The last call for DPNK (2024). A photo illustrating Julián’s individual sense of “inclusion” in places like Smetana’s embankment. No further comment is needed. I am in it for the thrill.

Does it also seem like a conflict of generations to you?

It’s possible, but for example, here in our cinemas, people of different generations work, so it’s definitely not just about the younger generations being passionate about alternative modes of transport. It’s more a question of personal preferences and maybe even just a coincidence. It’s hard to say.

How would you “sell” the May Challenge to me? Why should I do it?

I would definitely tell you that you can discover a completely new perspective. Even if you can’t imagine it now, you may end up seeing the city and public space completely differently. And you will find that it could be done differently and more sustainably. In addition, you will do something for yourself, your physical and mental fitness. Even a few minutes of cycling will make you happier and relieve you of the stress of the whole day, and you will come home clean as a flower (laughs).

Do you have a lot of stress at work?

Well, it’s not that bad. We in cinemas operate very seasonally and in the fall and winter we go a little faster, which also brings some stress. On the other hand, in the spring and summer we can relax a little, lick our wounds and prepare for the next season.

And what do you enjoy about your work?

It gives me a lot of meaning. And that is certainly a huge plus when you do something that gives you meaning, with people you get along with. Then you overcome all the hardships, duties, and challenges much easier. When you have colleagues you can lean on in different situations… Even though it is sometimes a lot, it helps me when I realize that I am providing people with a space to relax or learn something. They switched off for two hours and experienced a story that, with a little luck, will be imprinted in their souls and which they will then tell their friends about. This is such an indescribable cinematic growth.

Year 2022, ride to Čertova hora in the Krkonoše Mountains

How are Aerokina doing and what would you recommend for us to watch?

It’s good. People are interested in the films we present and we have a relatively large audience base that is sympathetic to us. Which helps us enormously to focus on the work with the effort it requires. The affection of our audience is an obligation to us. Now I would definitely invite you to a screening of films that are nominated for an Oscar this year. This is a great opportunity to catch up on the most outstanding titles of the past year. A great film is The Brutalist, it is definitely worth seeing in the cinema and I would also recommend Robert Eggers’ film Nosferatu, which is a great adaptation of the well-known vampire story. From the festivals, I would definitely recommend One World, which is dedicated to human rights and the environment.

Last question: What is the best thing about cycling?

For me, the most beautiful thing happens when I get out of the city and traffic and take a nice ride in nature. When I ride through a beautiful shaded forest, the sun’s rays fall on the road, I’m completely alone and suddenly I notice nothing but the passing asphalt and the roaring tires. These are the moments that make me love cycling. In my opinion, the bicycle is definitely one of the best inventions of mankind. I like its efficiency and the technical side. From the handlebars, to the saddle and every screw, to the chain and tires.

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