Basel Ranks Tops In Global Survey; Tram Service To Binningen Suspended; Bicycle Mayhem; New Sneaker Store in Steinen

News For 14 March 2017

Global consultancy Mercer released its annual quality of life survey last week as ranked by cities.  Basel managed to tie for 10th place with Sydney, Australia based on such factors political and social environment, education and health standards, the economy, provision of public services, housing and the natural environment.  The top ten was concentrated in Europe despite political and economic volatility in the region.  Topping the list was Vienna in #1 and Zurich in #2 positions.  The results of the survey are important because large corporations use them as an input in deciding where to base business activities and how much to pay employees.

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Construction on the #2 Tram line connecting Basel with Binningen will cause the suspension of service starting next Monday, March 20th and is expected to last until early June.  Those that rely on the service to get from the SBB to Kronenplaz and points in between will have to use buses which the BVB will substitute for commuters.  Luckily, the traffic lanes reserved for personal motor vehicles will remain open along the route of the construction and bicyclists will also be able navigate the route.  The construction project is expected to be completed in 2017 and is meant to upgrade all of the infrastructure including roads, water and electric conduits and tram tracks.

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The signs of spring are everywhere - blooming crocuses, longer, warmer days and....bicycles come out of hibernation.  Though Baselers are generally diehard bicyclists, despite the cold and rain - the early spring this year has seen a marked increase in the number of bicycles on the road.  Velomarkts have been sprouting around the city, last week a major one was hosted at the MArkethalle where people can buy used or new bikes or have their old bicycles serviced.  Bike shop owners throughout the city report that those wishing to be fashion conscious when purchasing a new bicycle consider a vintage or restored bicycle which are still all the rage.

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Sneaker fans waited for 19 hours outside a new shoe store set to open this past Saturday on Steinenvorstadt.  The store named Titolo is already a renowned sneaker mecca in Switzerland with branches open in Zurich and Bern.  Those that braved the cold weather to queue for the 10 am open were rewarded with first dibs to buy limited edition sneakers.  In case you've not heard, sneakers have become more than a fashion statement, with some designed or endorsed by celebrities like Kanye West going for upwards of 1000 Swiss Francs per pair.