One would think that if nature had wanted us to move around so much and so far all the time, we'd all have been born with wheels instead of feet. I'm still not convinced we necessarily know what we're doing.
The Dutch have discovered what everybody in any city knows. A place where people can move or interact without vehicles (bike lanes, pedestrian areas, nature strips) are what make any city liveable. While they are obviously skinnier than almost any like group of Americans, I think many people would use bike lanes if they were available. As far as no helmets, it's nuts. Falling over, at even 5 mph Will crack your head. Having broken 2 (helmets, not heads) in the last two years, the cost in fashion status is worth it.
3
flat country - perfect for cycling. Anything with hills - not so much.
I was however been totally impressed by the Sunday lycra clad enthusiasts in the hills behind Nice in the South of France - one guy I repeatedly overtook in my car going uphill again repeatedly overtook me going downhill - he tailed me for miles through some steep mountains.
elsewhere I have enjoyed cycling in Beijing, Amsterdam, Munich, Zurich, Kathmandu, Taipei, Tokyo (watch out for cobblestone hills - my partner's knee falloff will attest) - so reckon any lake/river waterside path is ideal for cycling as it's gonna be pretty flat and away from cars. You don't want to mix bicycles and heavy vehicles not looking out for you.
I was however been totally impressed by the Sunday lycra clad enthusiasts in the hills behind Nice in the South of France - one guy I repeatedly overtook in my car going uphill again repeatedly overtook me going downhill - he tailed me for miles through some steep mountains.
elsewhere I have enjoyed cycling in Beijing, Amsterdam, Munich, Zurich, Kathmandu, Taipei, Tokyo (watch out for cobblestone hills - my partner's knee falloff will attest) - so reckon any lake/river waterside path is ideal for cycling as it's gonna be pretty flat and away from cars. You don't want to mix bicycles and heavy vehicles not looking out for you.
2
Here in Los Angeles, bicycle riding on the car-crowded streets is relatively suicidal, yet the media continues to promote bicycling despite the obvious risks of death and crippling injury.
4
In the mid 70's I lived and worked for 2 years in the Westland region of the Netherlands. Bought a used bike off a local police officer. That bike got me everywhere I needed to go. Work, weekend fun, touring on paths through the backcountry, out for the night to a concert. I never even thought of getting a car. The bike path system was a marvel for me. It was safe, widespread, and hugely popular. I got to know my region and many other areas of the country by exploring on the bike. It was the Dutch thing to do. I rode year round, never wore a helmet, never worried and never got hit by a car! I met lots of other cyclists along the way and many spontaneous conversations were started on the "fietspad". Heerlijk, ontspannend, en veel frisse lucht! What a joy!
7
I commend the Times' inclusion of more cycling coverage, especially regarding high level infrastructure. But I'm shocked that not one normal, everyday, Jane Doe cyclist was interviewed by the reporter.
2
Hollander is flat as a pancake. Easy to bike there.
And they aren't racing. Commuter speed doesn't require helmets.
And they aren't racing. Commuter speed doesn't require helmets.
2
They do not need to where helmets because they are not sharing the road with cars driven by people how don't think twice about threatening your life. It looks like they're using dedicated bike lanes. What a paradise. Believe me when my Dutch friends visit me in Halifax - they wear helmets not because it's the law, but because it's dangerous not to. When I bike to work my adrenaline is through the roof when I get there - I'm stressed - because I'm in serious danger for much of the trip. That's not right at all.
3
"Where are the helmets?" is a common knee-jerk reaction of Americans.
In terms of keeping a bicyclist safe in an urban environment, helmets rank way below below traffic education, bicycle lanes, visibility, tune-ups, and so on. Our misguided emphasis on helmets only dissuades people from biking and has hurt the acceptance of city bike share programs.
Road racing, mountain biking, and cyclocross are completely different activities which do demand helmets.
In terms of keeping a bicyclist safe in an urban environment, helmets rank way below below traffic education, bicycle lanes, visibility, tune-ups, and so on. Our misguided emphasis on helmets only dissuades people from biking and has hurt the acceptance of city bike share programs.
Road racing, mountain biking, and cyclocross are completely different activities which do demand helmets.
12
I don't understand. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 36% of people are obese or morbidly obese, but there aren't any obese people in any of these pictures.
16
Pick one city in the USA, rid it of cars, and replace with bike infrastructure. Pay anyone from that city who still wants to live an auto-based life to relocate to any other city in the country where the car is still king.
That city will become the most desirable place to live in USA.
That city will become the most desirable place to live in USA.
38
In Honolulu, we just started a bike rental program called biki and more bicycle infrastructure (bike lanes) is being created. 40 years ago I rode my Schwinn Varsity 10 speed everywhere, I had a VW bug but I used that on the weekends to surf on the other side of the island (needed gas money). There was one bike lane on University avenue and you ripped through that in 2 minutes and back to sharing the road with cars. Dangerous, I was hit by cars a couple of times and ended up in ER. Now I live on the other side of the island, use the truck to get around during the week and leave the truck parked and use the bike on weekends. I just bought a DaHon folding bike when the City put in the biki system in town. Drats, you know how many biki rides I could get out of the cost of the DaHon? I worked it out, about two years. But, we are getting the infrastructure and the public investment forty years after that first experimental bike lane. Looking forward to a safer, healthier future.
Also, checking the bike list on craigslist to see if any deals start coming in. I paid for part of my college education by checking the campus bulletin boards to buy and tune up bikes after the spring semester and selling them back to the students returning for the fall semester. Never paid more than $25 for a bike, never took less than $50 for a bike ($50 was a tenth of my tuition cost back then).
Also, checking the bike list on craigslist to see if any deals start coming in. I paid for part of my college education by checking the campus bulletin boards to buy and tune up bikes after the spring semester and selling them back to the students returning for the fall semester. Never paid more than $25 for a bike, never took less than $50 for a bike ($50 was a tenth of my tuition cost back then).
5
I was amazed not only at the vast parking garages filled with bikes in Amsterdam, but also that entire families ride their bikes to work and school, and shopping. People in suits and dresses, obviously on the way to the office, ride their bikes. I've never seen so many people on one bicycle before. And I've never seen so many people on bikes at one time. It was almost a bike highway. The Dutch have it down. One child on the front, one on the back - there appeared to be some kind of seat for each - and maybe a child on a front pack of the mother at the controls. I was so impressed.
23
In Copenhagen the first response to snow is to clear the bike paths. Compact cities can adopt biking more readily than cities in the US that have been promoting sprawl for decades.
It also helps that gasoline there is priced at a level appropriate to it's true cost to our health and environment (about $6.00/gallon) and so is an automobile - a car selling for $30,000 in the US will cost $75,000 in Denmark after the 150% tax is added, and that's a bargain: last year the tax was 180%.
The blueprint for more biking has been worked out in European towns and if overweight and obese Americans can be lured off their increasingly large behinds, we can do it too.
It also helps that gasoline there is priced at a level appropriate to it's true cost to our health and environment (about $6.00/gallon) and so is an automobile - a car selling for $30,000 in the US will cost $75,000 in Denmark after the 150% tax is added, and that's a bargain: last year the tax was 180%.
The blueprint for more biking has been worked out in European towns and if overweight and obese Americans can be lured off their increasingly large behinds, we can do it too.
24
I was in Amsterdam in 66, rented a crummy moped, switched to a bicycle and the rest is history. I have been a bike rider ever since.
I like not using a helmet, America is enslaved by the police state, its rules and regulations.
Now at 75 i have an electric bike and ride everywhere.
For the last 4 years i have used one tank of gas per year in my car.
It's great to be alive.
I like not using a helmet, America is enslaved by the police state, its rules and regulations.
Now at 75 i have an electric bike and ride everywhere.
For the last 4 years i have used one tank of gas per year in my car.
It's great to be alive.
17
Automobile drivers here are so inconsiderate. It is in their genes ! I bike to work in my work clothes. I do have a 'Copenhagen wheel' though. But I get to work comfortably, and not needing to change clothes or shower. But everyone else around, who bike to work, are in their 'biking gear' and make the whole deal a big affair, which just puts off a lot of people who would want to bike to work otherwise.
2
All those dutch riders in the photo appear to be on to something. Not a helmet to be seen, and no one is dressed in lycra and neon colors.
20
You see any cars? No need for helmets or hi-viz clothing, no danger from motorists.
We teach our children to stay clear of tourists on bikes though. Riding a bike in Amsterdam does require a certain savvy and the ability to react quickly. Most tourists I see on bikes don't seem to have a clue, as they swerve in all directions and do present a danger for themselves and others.
True, that bicyclists in Amsterdam aren't always the most courteous towards pedestrians (of which there are many as well). But it does get tiresome to be hindered daily on your way to work by hordes of tourists who seem to think that our city centre is one big open air museum. And who can't distinguish between bicycle paths and sidewalks.
As to the helmet: Dutch children are taught to ride a bicycle at a very young age, just like swimming, so most Dutch people are very skilled at it. Plus we have more and more bicycle paths and cars are used to bikes here, as opposed to many other cities in other countries.
But don't worry, when the Dutch take out their racing bikes they will wear a helmet.
True, that bicyclists in Amsterdam aren't always the most courteous towards pedestrians (of which there are many as well). But it does get tiresome to be hindered daily on your way to work by hordes of tourists who seem to think that our city centre is one big open air museum. And who can't distinguish between bicycle paths and sidewalks.
As to the helmet: Dutch children are taught to ride a bicycle at a very young age, just like swimming, so most Dutch people are very skilled at it. Plus we have more and more bicycle paths and cars are used to bikes here, as opposed to many other cities in other countries.
But don't worry, when the Dutch take out their racing bikes they will wear a helmet.
15
Agree with many others; where are their helmets??
2
I can tell they are serious. Look at all those fenders! But where are the helmets?
1
I get up and drive my car to work. At the end of the day I drive back home as quickly as I can so I can get out on my bike for an hour. Something tells me that there is something wrong with this...
16
I love biking, wether it be for recreation or to get from point A to B. Hope to visit Utrecht soon to see for myself what they have achieved.
4
Several responses have noted the absence of older bicycle riders in the photographs accompanying this article. One reason may be that the Dutch have an excellent pension system. I suspect that few senior citizens there have any need to work.
12
I’m curious about the effect of bicycling on lifestyle. Do the Dutch travel by auto to get to a grocery store, hardware store, hair salon, etc…? In America, would local business districts be the logical proponents of urban bicycling?
3
Bravo to our friends in the Netherlands! As the USA tries to nickel and dime its way through our massive infrastructure problems, rational thinking countries such as the Netherlands proceed with visionary thinking, implementation and disaster mitigation. Meanwhile, my misbegotten country argues over the rights of gun ownership, hindering a woman's right to an abortion, and suggesting that climate change is just a lot of hooey. I'm so embarrassed.
26
What most people don't seem to understand is that bicycling is inherent to Dutch culture and has been for decades. Look at photographs from the 30-ies, the 50-ies; people on bikes, everywhere.
The bike is first and foremost a means of daily transportation and everybody rides one; old and young, from king to major, from three piece suit to jeans, from high heels to sensible shoes. It is used for everything; to go to school and work, to do your shopping, to go to the theatre, to do a night on the town.
In Dutch cities it is by far the fastest and most efficient way to go from A to B.
The weather is not great here, but not too bad either. Our winters have been more like extended autumns recently (yes, global warming is a fact) and you can dress for cold and rain.
City bikes are usually sturdy and simple, two or three gears or none. It is after all a primarily flat country. Most city dwellers do not have sheds so we park our bikes in the street. New shiny ones are too prone to theft so a city bike is usually bought second hand. Because most people are very dependent on their bikes, as they use it intensively, you will want to have your own. A bike sharing system as in NY, Paris or London works for the occasional bicyclist. And tourists usually rent a bike for a whole day, plenty of spots for that already.
The bike is first and foremost a means of daily transportation and everybody rides one; old and young, from king to major, from three piece suit to jeans, from high heels to sensible shoes. It is used for everything; to go to school and work, to do your shopping, to go to the theatre, to do a night on the town.
In Dutch cities it is by far the fastest and most efficient way to go from A to B.
The weather is not great here, but not too bad either. Our winters have been more like extended autumns recently (yes, global warming is a fact) and you can dress for cold and rain.
City bikes are usually sturdy and simple, two or three gears or none. It is after all a primarily flat country. Most city dwellers do not have sheds so we park our bikes in the street. New shiny ones are too prone to theft so a city bike is usually bought second hand. Because most people are very dependent on their bikes, as they use it intensively, you will want to have your own. A bike sharing system as in NY, Paris or London works for the occasional bicyclist. And tourists usually rent a bike for a whole day, plenty of spots for that already.
19
'has been for decades' - as I read, the 1970s were a significant turning point.
'Bicycle use dropped from 80 percent to 20 percent and people thought that bikes might disappear altogether. That all changed in the seventies.' - https://www.treehugger.com/bikes/why-did-netherlands-embrace-bike.html
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/may/05/amsterdam-bicycle-capital...
https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/how-the-dutch-got-their-cy...
'Bicycle use dropped from 80 percent to 20 percent and people thought that bikes might disappear altogether. That all changed in the seventies.' - https://www.treehugger.com/bikes/why-did-netherlands-embrace-bike.html
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/may/05/amsterdam-bicycle-capital...
https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/how-the-dutch-got-their-cy...
3
So, being like Beijing when China was poor is now a thing? Bike riding is so much fun in the rain and snow, course it never does either in NYC.
3
Here in Michigan in my suit and tie, I ride my 40 year old, old-fashioned-bike to work in fair weather all year round. I always joke that "I feel so Dutch," when I do that.
11
Bicycling in all different types of weather is enjoyable! Slightly inclement weather breaks up the routine and is little bother if you are properly dressed, and in places like Milwaukee, bicycling through the changing seasons is wonderful. Remember, one of our most bicycle friendly cities is Minneapolis!
10
You mean like it never rains or snows in Utrecht or Amsterdam? ...NOT. Maybe you just need to take a trip or two.
3
Mom snapped up a couple of J. Jager's palette knifed oils of Utrecht in the 1970s. Not a single cycle in sight.
2
It should be noted that, unlike many cities in America, most of Holland is as flat as a pool table.
20
Nice idea if you are young, carefree and the weather is a balmy 60 degrees.
Can't imagine the same feeling if the day were cold and dark (winter in Amsterdam comes to mind). Plus it's a take no prisoners attitude towards pedestrians. Every man, woman, biker for themselves has been my experience. And why no helmets???
Altogether too dangerous to endorse whole heartedly.
Can't imagine the same feeling if the day were cold and dark (winter in Amsterdam comes to mind). Plus it's a take no prisoners attitude towards pedestrians. Every man, woman, biker for themselves has been my experience. And why no helmets???
Altogether too dangerous to endorse whole heartedly.
7
The cycling mode share in Amsterdam is around 40 %. It is not especially dangerous; that is why no helmets.
5
Notice how the super-greenie Dutch eschew bike helmets. Every time I remind my US friends of this inconvenient fact, I get castigated. But to some extent, in Utrecht-like settings, helmetlessness is good.
Looking forward to reading condemnations of this comment.
Looking forward to reading condemnations of this comment.
7
Well, I won't satisfy your desire to be condemned but I will point out some inconvenient facts: the Dutch don't use helmets because most riding is done at speeds in the 10-15 MPH range; their bikes are not geared for faster speeds and there are no downhill runs where greater speeds can be readily attained. So any injuries sustained tend to be of the non-life threatening type. And due to the large numbers of bikes on the roads motorists are well versed in safely sharing the space with cyclists (and vice-versa) so there tend to be many fewer car-bicycle collisions.
2
I'm just really sad there are not more cities like this all over the world. =[
Los Angeles, feel free to write down a plethora of notes. Cars are not the most efficient or sensible way to move large groups of people.
Bikes, walking, buses, and trains > cars
Los Angeles, feel free to write down a plethora of notes. Cars are not the most efficient or sensible way to move large groups of people.
Bikes, walking, buses, and trains > cars
10
Living just outside of Utrecht near the American airbase, I could take a bus to the train station and catch a ride anywhere. Who needs a bike?
7
Small correction: The Netherlands has not a federal government, but a national government. the Dutch political system is unitary. While there are provinces, they are weak and derive their powers at the sufferance of the national gov't.
That said, I'm please to see the Dutch talent for creating livable cities getting attention in U.S. media.
That said, I'm please to see the Dutch talent for creating livable cities getting attention in U.S. media.
9
This is a wonderful report but so are many of the comments posted here. I was born in Utrecht in 1952, immigrated with my single mom to the U.S. in 1959 and became a citizen in 1987. One of the most memorable stories that I recall from childhood was one that took place during the last years of the Nazi occupation of Holland. My maternal grandparents had themselves fled from persecution in Asia Minor only 20 or so years before and immigrated to Holland. She was pregnant with the last of her three children. Even though they had an auto, no one during the occupation was allowed on the streets after nightfall. So when she started going into labor, my grandfather got out his bike, had his wife sit on a cushion on the handlebar in front of him, and with his arms around her, they cycled almost 10km in to the city hospital. They were stopped a number of times by Nazi troops along the way, had to show their papers and explain why they were out, but they ultimately arrived at their destination with less than an hour to spare before she gave birth. Bicycles are hard-wired in the Dutch DNA. Everyone in Holland, no matter where they hail from or their circumstances in life, during the good and not so good times, have at least a few very vivid memories with bicycles at the center of great little stories like this one.
28
I suppose Utrecht would be a poor candidate for a Costco to arrive! :-)
5
Yes, it would! People prefer to buy their groceries fresh and in smaller portions (less waste!).
5
Utrecht should therefore count its blessings.
5
At times motorized scooters are in these bike lanes and even a mindful pedestrian can find one wooshing by an arms length away at 20mph. 600 lb small cars designed for the handicapped are also allowed in these lanes. The pedestrian needs to be aware, be very aware.
Dutch rush hours are something to behold. Lanky, attractive, well-dressed Dutch people, going at a very good clip, sitting on old-style black bicycles in an upright posture with no helmets go by in large numbers.
Dutch rush hours are something to behold. Lanky, attractive, well-dressed Dutch people, going at a very good clip, sitting on old-style black bicycles in an upright posture with no helmets go by in large numbers.
12
Nice article. Also interesting to read the comments reflecting different opinions and perspectives. For me as a Dutchman cycling to work in a suit and tie during an Amsterdam rush hour is second nature. I appreciate the helmet suggestions and comments about being more considerate for pedestrians. As stated below, cycling is a great way of transportation. Give it a try if you ever have the chance, especially in the Netherlands. When in the Netherlands, do as the Dutchies do!
31
Just got back from a vacation in Amsterdam and Paris. Was pleased to see that biking seems to have expanded since I lived there 25 years ago. I was even more pleased that Paris has taken steps to make itself bike-friendly, and there are now cyclists all over the city safely riding in bike lanes. Highly practical in cities choked with cars! You can still get anywhere in Amsterdam faster on a bike than you can with a car or with mass transit. It was also fun to sit in a cafe on the Spui and watch the interaction between cyclists and tourists who are totally unaware of bike lanes!
7
It was so fun riding bikes in Paris, even during rush hour. Vehicles co-travel with the bicycles, and there was an unspoken give-and-take. Sure, it got hairy, but people seemed tolerant. Maybe it was because I didn't understand French cursing.
3
I bought an electric bike in 2011 after a trip to Amsterdam. I remember thinking why do these people ride these old fashioned looking bikes w/o gears, since in the USA one usually sees "racing" bikes or mountain bikers decked out in lycra. The proprietor of the hotel I was staying in explained that on the "old-fashioned" bike you have much better field of view because you are upright. Because the NL is flat gearing isn't so needed. At the time electric bikes were not common in NL because of the expense. Living 1.1 miles from work, it is the perfect solution to getting there & back. On hot summer days it is such a pleasure to get on the bike and zoom home rather than getting into a car that has been sweltering in the sun all day. I am the only employee at my hospital that routinely rides a bike to work. Disclaimer - I live in a tiny little town. :-)
2
Thank you Mr. Schuetze for this article. We ride two Dutch bikes and wish our community, Baton Rouge, LA was more like the Netherlands. I have attached a link to a Baton Rouge bike rider, who rides full time. His TED talk covers all of the amazing health benefits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W-3Mnu3Ovo
2
All those privately-owned, random, individualized bicycles of all shapes and sizes., some dating back quite a few years, others, the latest model. Why does everyone have to maintain their own private bike? Seems like a ripe place for bike share to exist. And to be truly progressive, each resident can be issued a bike share key from birth!
1
Because not everyone is the same size or uses their bikes for the same reason. A Dutch person considers his bike an extension of him/herself. Most Dutch could care less about cars, but don't touch my bike! You aren't really Dutch until your bike is stolen at least once!
3
Bicycle commuting is common and effective in the Netherlands because of topography: it is flat. And the climate is moderate. And some cities, like Amsterdam, make bike lanes and bike traffic signals a priority. A city like Minneapolis, with big hills and ice-covered streets during winter and pot-holes in summer, is not a bike-friendly place.
8
Hills are less of a problem now electric bikes are getting commonplace. Also, you will see cycling pretty much all year in Scandinavia (where I am from). There always seems to be someone saying: "It will never work'. It does if you want it to.
5
Are you sure you live in Minneapolis? Your city is always rated in the top 10 American bike-friendly cities. I'll admit that year-round biking in cold climates isn't for everyone but, with a little preparation, it can be quite comfortable.
1
Would appreciate information about public transportation such as buses and trams. (There is a vague reference to cut in other sectors - does that mean bus transportation?)
Not clear why the discussion is framed as bicycles vs. vehicles?
Seems like a key omission to ignore bus transportation.
And pedestrians?
Not clear why the discussion is framed as bicycles vs. vehicles?
Seems like a key omission to ignore bus transportation.
And pedestrians?
4
Good for your health, good for the planet, takes up less space on the street and in front of/behind/beside your home, costs less to maintain, etc. It makes total sense. I just wish private citizens in a place like NYC (with its amazing public transportation options, Zipcar, taxis, delivery services, etc.) could reduce their addiction to private vehicles.
6
The photo accompanying the article is striking in its depiction of healthy twenty year olds without helmets. I wonder what the age distribution is like in Utrecht and whether families move out once the logistics of caregiving for children or seniors make bicycling unmanageable. One has to grocery shop every one or two days because of the limited cargo a bike can carry, not to mention any of the other errands that need to be run daily.
3
I go grocery shopping every day, i don't need much, don't drink soda's don't get those huge boxes of cereal, just small portions of everything, i get to decide what to eat every day. We don't wear helmets because we grew up without them. Children are out of the house now, but we did everything without a car when they were growing up. And they rode their bikes to school. And off course the story is about bikes, not about not having a car. I do own a v8 '96 Dodge Van. (to put bikes in, so we can go to a different city we park outside of town and cycle in it)
4
Bicycling is hardly ever unmanageable in NL. Weather, kids, groceries...you just do it! People don't move out of the city when they have children and need to move them around to school and activities. Bikes make life so much easier because there are hardly any car parking spaces no matter where you want to go. Streets paved in cobblestone 400 years ago don't allow for two-lane traffic plus parking. I can go anywhere on my bike but almost nowhere except the highway with my car. And for 6 euros you can take your bike onto the train if you want to go far.
2
I don't have age distribution statistics for you, but you are dramatically underestimating the carrying capacity of a bicycle. I grocery shop weekly by bicycle for my small family. The Dutch do not seem to have entirely bought into this American idea that you need to drive your children around every where. They often transport them by bicycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=187&v=SfLJ876lXsQ.
Some families, or people who need to carry more cargo, will use a box bike, which can hold quite a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huE7M4JQMYk
Or, if children are older, they may simply bicycle along with their parents. Once you have gone through the trouble of making it safe, transporting children with bicycles is not a huge problem.
Some families, or people who need to carry more cargo, will use a box bike, which can hold quite a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huE7M4JQMYk
Or, if children are older, they may simply bicycle along with their parents. Once you have gone through the trouble of making it safe, transporting children with bicycles is not a huge problem.
2
as this article illustrates, the dutch are constantly investing in infrastructure. where does that money come from? a very high tax rate.
above incomes of 66k, the dutch are taxed at a rate of 52%. but our roads have no potholes (and most highways are even paved with special porous concrete so that there is no splash-induced low visibility while driving through countless rainstorms), we have a smart bike infrastructure that is constantly evolving to meet demands, and we have the world's best flood-protection systems (something america might want to consider). to this american transplant, that's worth it.
above incomes of 66k, the dutch are taxed at a rate of 52%. but our roads have no potholes (and most highways are even paved with special porous concrete so that there is no splash-induced low visibility while driving through countless rainstorms), we have a smart bike infrastructure that is constantly evolving to meet demands, and we have the world's best flood-protection systems (something america might want to consider). to this american transplant, that's worth it.
62
oh, and affordable healthcare!
3
The US spends a lot on infrastructure actually. https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2013/04/01/infrastructu... It's just wasted on bloated costs relative to the rest of the world http://pedestrianobservations.com/2011/05/16/us-rail-construction-costs and unproductive suburban road/water/sewer expansion that costs $$$ that property taxes don't pay enough to sustain in the long term. The idea that the US underspends on infrastructure doesn't hold up if you look at where the money we do spend goes.
2
Bicycling is an admiral method of transport as long as the weather is good. But it is one person per one machine. The original sidecar was developed for a bicycle and subsequently taken over by motorcycles. While a bicycle can transport at the most two adults and two small children, a motorcycle with sidecar can take three adults and up to six babies, two strapped to each adult. The greater speed and less muscular effort favor a motorcycle.
1
As a Dutch citizen, I, of course, can take a certain pride in the nation's stance as a biking country and agree with the many positive aspects of it. However, some risks as they were noted by a number of commenters are real as well and became clear to me during my 10-year stay in Sweden, where my Swedish colleagues (who are generally avid bicycle riders themselves and part of a society that puts even greater emphasis on safety) were often puzzled on their visit to the Netherlands and noted these risks immediately (the helmets, the space competition with pedestrians). As so often, there are certain cultural traditions that form the behavior and may shield some otherwise obvious issues, like the possibility to reduce (severe head) injuries even more. I do however notice a slight increase in the number of helmets worn by all members of young families (although still a small minority), I hope their number increases even more.
I feel the main reason for the lack of penetration of helmet use is the general Dutch attitude of disdain for formal authority: no governmental institution may tell you that thou shall wear helmets! That is - as I have experienced - in quite some a contrast with Swedish culture. I encountered a similar difference regarding smoking in public spaces - including restaurants. It is interesting to see that countries sharing many common values can be quite - and sometimes even radically - different on details, with the school system as the ultimate indicator!
I feel the main reason for the lack of penetration of helmet use is the general Dutch attitude of disdain for formal authority: no governmental institution may tell you that thou shall wear helmets! That is - as I have experienced - in quite some a contrast with Swedish culture. I encountered a similar difference regarding smoking in public spaces - including restaurants. It is interesting to see that countries sharing many common values can be quite - and sometimes even radically - different on details, with the school system as the ultimate indicator!
13
No country where cycling is common makes helmet use common. It's statistically been shown to not be effective as a policy, and is poor risk mitigation on a societal level. Far more effective is banning cars from cyclist areas as well see here
4
These comments supporting the absence of helmets reminds me of the convoluted justification of other harmful habits such as smoking.Of course there is no "study" supporting absence of helmets .The Dutch ,if they have the common sense suggested by this article,will change their herd like attitudes towards bicycle helmet use.Admittedly,I am a retired neurosurgeon,whose life was saved by a bicycle helmet.
1
As much as I love the Netherlands and have been in awe of witnessing swarms of bicycles during Amsterdam's morning and evening rush hours, I do wish the culture respected pedestrians a bit more.
I am not referring to walkers who, as in the States, jaywalk or cross against the lights, and I know that bikes can't stop on a dime, but I do wish more cyclists would give walkers the same courtesy that they rightfully demand of automobile drivers.
Walking in Amsterdam is similar to driving in Rome. While driving in Rome, I had to pretend the scooters buzzing around me didn't exist. It was their job to stay out of my way. If I braked hard or swerved to avoid one scooter, there would have been a massive mess of Vespas to clean up.
Likewise, walking in Amsterdam during rush hour I eventually learned that if I had the clear right-of-way, I had to trust that cyclists would not hit me. If I jumped back or stopped short because I was startled by a bike whizzing past me, I risked getting hit by multiple cyclists.
I am not referring to walkers who, as in the States, jaywalk or cross against the lights, and I know that bikes can't stop on a dime, but I do wish more cyclists would give walkers the same courtesy that they rightfully demand of automobile drivers.
Walking in Amsterdam is similar to driving in Rome. While driving in Rome, I had to pretend the scooters buzzing around me didn't exist. It was their job to stay out of my way. If I braked hard or swerved to avoid one scooter, there would have been a massive mess of Vespas to clean up.
Likewise, walking in Amsterdam during rush hour I eventually learned that if I had the clear right-of-way, I had to trust that cyclists would not hit me. If I jumped back or stopped short because I was startled by a bike whizzing past me, I risked getting hit by multiple cyclists.
25
Can't do much about mixed use areas in old towns, but the Dutch do make lanes specifically for light motorbikes and cycles over most long stretches between them. I would like to see more of such lane changes here.
3
Agree wholeheartedly! I just returned from Amsterdam and loved every moment of it, with one exception- dodging the bikers. I really couldn't figure out who had right of way- as most bikes flew through intersections regardless of pedestrians. It reached a point where I just waited for them to pass- and I would bolt. I was also surprised with the huge percentage of bikers without helmets, including kids in the carriers (of all sorts).
3
I remember that well: driving a carpool of kids to school. At first hesitant but then I realized I just had to barge my way into the circle traffic....there was always a place for me! Groningen near where I live: wonderful fun city, but yes, as in Amsterdam:beware! But .... as a radical bike rider in our biker- friendly Oldenburg, enjoy that we own the streets too;-)
I lived in Amsterdam for twenty years, and its the one thing I miss most about the city - cycling to work, touring the city. It was the fastest and easiest way to get about. When my bike was stolen, it was like losing a good friend.
12
Lived in Utrecht 2010. Great then, better now. Bikes reign supreme in well protected lanes. My office building at the university has ONLY underground bike parking for hundreds of bikes. Bikes used for shopping, commuting, social outings, transporting children to school and programs. Friends always gave us directions to their homes by bike. Not bus, not walking, only bike.
7
Just cycled to a BART station in what's described as a bicycle-friendly city, through a slalom course of single-occupancy cars, vulture-like circling ubers/lyfts, and uphill into a haze of private sector idling diesel busses. It wasn't pretty or fun or safe, I wouldn't want my loved ones to do it, and it's pretty easy to see what there weren't any other cyclists in view....
31
As a mean of transportation, cycling is a perfect solution for small cities (small in population and area). For bigger cities - say, cities with 5, 10, or 15 million people, it's simply inconceivable to regard it as a practical solution...unless, for example, to be stimulated as a mean of transportation at determined parts of the municipality, say in residential areas.
8
It's even harder to conceive of individual cars as a practical solution for bigger cities. Bicycles have much smaller footprints both in terms of road use and parking space. Cities of any size can make effective use of them so long as car owners do not rule supreme.
2
Dense large cities like New York, London and Paris, where some effort has been made to create high quality cycling infrastructure, have seen substantial increases in cycling. Most trips are under 3 miles and 5 to 7 mile trips are still relatively easy cycling distances. If Dutch level of cycling infrastructure was in place in large cities, the potential is tremendous.
7
Biking works very well in large cities. Besides, that part of Holland is one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. If it's relatively flat and there is political will, biking works very well.
1
Would be nice if the article described the population density, avg. commute distance, and geographic dimensions of Utrecht. Could the Utrecht solution scale up and work in Atlanta or Minneapolis?
5
No. The average commute distance in Minneapolis is 22 miles (12.8 for Atlanta). Only a small percentage of the population is willing/able to ride 44 miles per day (especially in the brutal summer heat or winter snow). Cities that grew large after mass adoption of the automobile are far more sprawling than older European cities, which is why trains have a limited impact on traffic in the US outside of older, east coast cities like NY. The Netherlands is far flatter than Atlanta, also.
5
I doubt that people in Atlanta or Minneapolis would be willing to get out of their cars. The popular and political will needed for this kind of change is probably absent in US cities.
2
But if that is normally distributed around that mean, it still means millions of trips that are within easy bicycle distance.
1
I've been there twice. Remarkable and ruthless. If you go to the Netherlands and you've never ridden in heavy bike traffic, get some practice, start slow in small neighborhoods. They will run you over and not look back.
19
To echo another comment here- no helmets.
Since according to the NYTs Europeans are the model for everything done right in cities, explain that.
Now go put your helmet on.
Since according to the NYTs Europeans are the model for everything done right in cities, explain that.
Now go put your helmet on.
11
If bicycles are separated from motor vehicle traffic as they are in Dutch cities, most of the risk of injury is removed. If you really want to make cycling safe, give cyclist separate infrastructure.
9
Due to their extensive use of infrastructure, utility cycling in the Netherlands is very safe, about as safe as driving there. So unless you feel the need to put a helmet on when driving, you probably don't need one when biking to work in the Netherlands.
1
Biking in places like the Netherlands is very different from biking in the US. Bike passage is clearly marked and everyone is used to the large volume of bikes. There is little chance of bikers being hit by cars because of the clear lanes and general accepted road rules. In addition, most bikes in daily use are 1-3 speed and while people do zip along, they are not generally going at road-race pace. You'll notice that everyone is wearing street clothes, not "bike gear" -- people are going at easy paces and not "getting a workout". It is much, much safer to ride bicycles in places like this and helmets are not a necessary piece of gear (and in my opinion, helmets, while necessary in the US, are a deterrent from daily casual riding). There are many articles and studies on this. In short: more bikes = less danger to bicyclists.
3
I was in the Netherlands years ago and what struck me was the mind-set that bicycles are a valid mode of transportation to go anywhere. People rode at a reasonable pace in work clothes (not bic specific clothing). The roads were designed to encourage bicycling. Cars didn't "share the road" with bicycles. Bicycles owned part of the road - separate lanes with separate lights. NO right turns on red across the bic lanes. Pedestrians had "walk lights." Bikers rode in a reasonable manner -- No stopping in the bic lane. I could go on and on, but the bottom line was that bikers were treated well and not as an annoyance.
57
Besides the lack of helmets, you'll also notice a very different bicycle style than we commonly see in the US. Bikes in Europe are big, heavy, have fenders, chain guards and cushy seats. Racing bikes are for racers and I don't think I ever saw a fixie anywhere. And people generally ride at a relaxed pace. And bikes are utilitarian, comfortable and not a status symbol.
All of this creates a very different bike culture than we have in the US. Cyclers are less aggressive and angry because they don't have to be. They're less exposed to danger and they know that most automobile drivers ride bikes too. It's not an us vs. them each time they climb on their bike.
All of this creates a very different bike culture than we have in the US. Cyclers are less aggressive and angry because they don't have to be. They're less exposed to danger and they know that most automobile drivers ride bikes too. It's not an us vs. them each time they climb on their bike.
97
You've anticipated much of what I was going to say. Another feature of Dutch utility bikes is that they don't use derailleur gears. Cheap derailleurs, such as are seen on el cheapo mountain bikes, have very limited durability and are liable to get out of adjustment. They occasionally drop the chain, creating an oily mess. If they have gears, Dutch bikes have durable and clean hub gears. These are not cheap, but they last for years.
Many Dutch cyclists keep a good road bike for pleasure riding. They don't confuse pleasure riding with utilitarian cycling.
Many Dutch cyclists keep a good road bike for pleasure riding. They don't confuse pleasure riding with utilitarian cycling.
6
The Netherlands is very flat. If you tried to ride one of their heavy beach cruisers in Seattle, your lungs would explode in the first ten minutes. Their commute distances are also very short compared to those in the US (most large European cities predate the automobile), so having a fast, efficient bike is not a requirement.
BTW: A "fixie" is not a fancy bike (despite recent marketing efforts). It simply means fixed-gear (no shifting), these are one of the most common types of bike in the Netherlands because of the lack of hills (and the ease of maintenance).
BTW: A "fixie" is not a fancy bike (despite recent marketing efforts). It simply means fixed-gear (no shifting), these are one of the most common types of bike in the Netherlands because of the lack of hills (and the ease of maintenance).
7
Sometimes I feel sorry for bike riders, but then I remember what it's like to be a pedestrian on a path that is made for both bikes and pedestrians. It's harrowing to try to take a sunny stroll through the park with ringing bells and "ON YOUR LEFT!" being yelled in your direction (if they're considerate) as a person hurtling 25 m.p.h. in your direction narrowly misses your feet and/or stroller (had you been dumb enough to stop and look you might have been run over). The second bike riders become the cars and pedestrians the bike riders they whistle a completely different tune...
The accommodation of cars has ruined cities and communities. Thankfully, more developed cities are limiting autos (or at least polluting ones) in denser areas.
Ban private autos from cities. Tear down urban car garages, replace them with housing and give everyone a bike/e-bike. This solves a plethora of issues.
Ban private autos from cities. Tear down urban car garages, replace them with housing and give everyone a bike/e-bike. This solves a plethora of issues.
37
Amen. I go further, ban private vehicles altogether. All transportation should be public, and it needs to diminish by orders of magnitude. With internet there is much reduced need to travel. People need to stay within a perimeter where bicycle can reach. Ban private vehicles.
5
That may work in Santa Monica, but what about areas where the weather is not always bike friendly? I think we should promote shared, self-driving cars (most cars sit idle over 90% of the time). It takes decades to increase density levels. I would artificially raise the price of gasoline gradually, yet relentlessly and let the market figure it out.
Knee-jerk quick fixes rarely work. People can't abandon the suburbs en masse just because you artificially limit the supply of parking. This just creates incentives for businesses to move away from the downtown core, increasing sprawl and commute times.
Knee-jerk quick fixes rarely work. People can't abandon the suburbs en masse just because you artificially limit the supply of parking. This just creates incentives for businesses to move away from the downtown core, increasing sprawl and commute times.
2
This will happen here when some megacorp designs and markets a bike that looks like an SUV.
21
I've been living in the US for more than 20 years now, but my family and I always manage to spend about a month a year in The Netherlands. One of the biggest 'attractions' of that vacation is that you can ride your bicycle almost anywhere. There are bike paths everywhere which means that you don't have to be scared that your biking kids get run over by a car. Shopping by bike is a sheer pleasure and a far cry from the long car drives that we have to make on Long Island to get food.
Another big improvement that should be mentioned are the big car parking garages/lots on the outskirts of almost every bigger city in The Netherlands. You dump your car for a few Euros in the parking and the parking fee includes free public transportation to the inner city. Imagine something like that in New York City!
Another big improvement that should be mentioned are the big car parking garages/lots on the outskirts of almost every bigger city in The Netherlands. You dump your car for a few Euros in the parking and the parking fee includes free public transportation to the inner city. Imagine something like that in New York City!
71
What ultimately makes a country wealthy? A healthy citizenry. No doubt their healthcare costs are less and people pedal well into ripe, older ages.
Too bad we're such a car-centric society. I would never ride my bike where I live. Too many hit and runs and fatalities of bicyclists. I would love to live in a place entirely devoid of fossil fueled, motorized vehicles.
Too bad we're such a car-centric society. I would never ride my bike where I live. Too many hit and runs and fatalities of bicyclists. I would love to live in a place entirely devoid of fossil fueled, motorized vehicles.
26
The pictures say it all! A bikers paradise, no helmets required.
17
Of the 20 people in the photos, not one has grey hair. Apparently older people don't exist there. Actually I suspect they do. Bicycling is super great, but I hope there are options for those who can't, a demographic that would skew older.
10
I spent three weeks in the Netherlands in January one year. It rained 20 out of the 21 days I was there. Because Europe is so far north, the sun set at 4 p.m. each day.
Even so, I saw seniors doing their food shopping every evening—in the rain, in the dark, and on their bikes.
I also so very few fat people the entire trip.
Even so, I saw seniors doing their food shopping every evening—in the rain, in the dark, and on their bikes.
I also so very few fat people the entire trip.
22
My aunt and uncle live in the NL and both are still biking everywhere they need to go, even as they push on 80. People who live active lifestyles can remain active far into their later years. If Americans spent more time on bikes and less time growing fat in their cars, it wouldn't seem so remarkable to us that a gray haired person can ride a bike as well as a young one.
But to answer your concern, there are public transportation options there too. Better ones than we have here in the States, by far.
But to answer your concern, there are public transportation options there too. Better ones than we have here in the States, by far.
32
I am 66, and have nothing but grey hair. In the past 3 summers I have biked across this country twice and down the west coast once. I will continue to bike as long as I am able - and doing so will improve my quality of life and ability to keep biking.
23
Another area where the Dutch are ahead . Green transportation.
The Dutch also figured out how to live safely below sea level
The Dutch also figured out how to live safely below sea level
30
Spent a chunk of this past year in Copenhagen. Not only do most people commute by bike, but everyone walks, a lot. Going to a restaurant 3 kilometres from home (2 miles)? Well walk, of course. But it's raining, as it mostly does in Copenhagen. OK, put on a rain jacket and maybe grab an umbrella and walk. After a lot of food and wine, take a cab home? No, walking aids the digestion and is a lovely social time, a great way to wind down the evening with your spouse or friends. Of course the city is gorgeous, lovely sights almost everywhere you go, and safe, with hundreds of cafes and shops you can pop into along any route. Modern Stockholm and Oslo are similar, with the later increasingly banning cars altogether, including street parking in many neighbourhoods. No wonder people are slim, fit, healthy, happy, and live 4 years longer than Americans.
115
and Elke
You did notice how flat the cities are - no Little Mountain-and how wide the bicycle lanes are. Now tell Greg, please.
You did notice how flat the cities are - no Little Mountain-and how wide the bicycle lanes are. Now tell Greg, please.
1
When in Amsterdam our family used the two other more popular way of transportation: walking and taking the light rail or tram as it is called. Truth be told, the Dutch have excellent weather which makes it easier to bike most of the time. However biking does not letup even when it rains. I have not been in the Netherlands in winter but I expect that the city clears the bike lanes first. China used to be a biking nation at one time and so were many other nations but the "cheap" automobile killed all that. Small cities with dense urban areas like in most part of Europe really help encourage biking. In the Netherlands it is more a cultural thing. It is great to just sit and watch a busy street and view all the people who bike on it. Good for the Dutch!
14
Cycling only became such a strong part of Dutch culture after efforts were made to remediate cities that had been overrun with cars and build bicycle infrastructure.
the dutch have excellent weather, HAHAHAH. you must've been here in the week we call summer.
6
I love it! Twenty years ago I lived in Utrecht and it was hard to find bike parking back then. There were seas of bikes in open bike parking areas in the center of the city.
Even then Utrecht was designed for regular people to bike to where they needed to go. I once saw a man in a tux ferrying a woman in a ballgown by bicycle to the Concertgebouw. Contrast that with the U.S., where biking is more of a weekend warrior activity, and neither car drivers nor other bikers are happy to see little old ladies pedaling sedately down the street.
Totally separate bike lanes, lights that let bikes go independently of cars, and laws that punish drivers whenever they hit a bike all make places like Utrecht a dream for bike commuters. Having a safe place to park it is the icing on the cake!
Even then Utrecht was designed for regular people to bike to where they needed to go. I once saw a man in a tux ferrying a woman in a ballgown by bicycle to the Concertgebouw. Contrast that with the U.S., where biking is more of a weekend warrior activity, and neither car drivers nor other bikers are happy to see little old ladies pedaling sedately down the street.
Totally separate bike lanes, lights that let bikes go independently of cars, and laws that punish drivers whenever they hit a bike all make places like Utrecht a dream for bike commuters. Having a safe place to park it is the icing on the cake!
35
When my husband and I lived in Utrecht 10 years ago, we marveled at a woman in a ball gown bicycling with a man in a tuxedo riding sidesaddle on the back of HER bike. The image still makes me smile!
25
I live in Seattle and we have bike-only lanes and countless bike paths around the area. Downside? The hills! To give you an idea of our hilly streets, we had 3 inches of snow one night this past winter which shut down the city and everyone got out their snowboards and sleds and went flying down the streets:))
Want to go bike riding up these streets? :))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiX3rBxKmUY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-z9jzCbaWQ
Want to go bike riding up these streets? :))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiX3rBxKmUY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-z9jzCbaWQ
The fascinating thing about all these images is that not one person is wearing a helmet (except perhaps the construction workers).
One reason biking will not take off in the US is the fright culture, together with the misplaced trust in a piece of foam strapped to your head. The US local and national governments will put as little effort as possible into safe biking.
Where I came from, right from first grade to the end of high school, we went to an annual bicycle training school, teaching us safe riding skills. Helmets were considered (rightly, I think) an ineffective solution to the problem of cycling.
One reason biking will not take off in the US is the fright culture, together with the misplaced trust in a piece of foam strapped to your head. The US local and national governments will put as little effort as possible into safe biking.
Where I came from, right from first grade to the end of high school, we went to an annual bicycle training school, teaching us safe riding skills. Helmets were considered (rightly, I think) an ineffective solution to the problem of cycling.
43
That "piece of foam" strapped to my head saved my life! I was sideswiped by an impatient driver who wanted to rush around another car turning left at an intersection, pressing me against a parked car. I flew over the handlebars and crashed headfirst onto the street. The foam directly over my temple was compressed by almost 2 inches...
Helmets are not a cure-all, but I'm damn glad I was wearing mine on that day.
Helmets are not a cure-all, but I'm damn glad I was wearing mine on that day.
1
It is clear to me that you have not spent much time on two wheels in the USA. I have lived and breathed motorcycles and bicycles since I was a kid. I also have lived and breathed safety as a railroad conductor-brakeman.
I do not live in fear. I ride. I ride pretty much anywhere and everywhere. I recently spent four years riding all year round in Anchorage, Alaska, on ice with studded tires in the winter. I commuted to work on ice in Alaska on handmade studs in the early '90's. I've ridden from California to Alaska.
But nothing will get my helmet off my head. I've read this "safety education" argument my entire riding life. It was first used by anti-helmet law motorcyclists. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is just about the stupidest thing a human being can do--but it's cool!
I have been trained as a bicycling safety instructor. In thirty-four years of bicycling, my head has hit the pavement three times when I was hit by cars.
Bicyclists are simply not on the "radar" of drivers in the USA, nor do they pose the tiniest of threats to vehicles in a culture where big SUVs are a symbol of status, while cyclists who use their bikes for transportation are often scorned.
Riding a bicycle in the USA is NOTHING like riding in the Utrecht. Those "pieces of foam" are pretty damned high-tech these days, and they can save you from a brain injury. While you can still think, that is.
And I didn't even bring up the insanity of cell phones...
I do not live in fear. I ride. I ride pretty much anywhere and everywhere. I recently spent four years riding all year round in Anchorage, Alaska, on ice with studded tires in the winter. I commuted to work on ice in Alaska on handmade studs in the early '90's. I've ridden from California to Alaska.
But nothing will get my helmet off my head. I've read this "safety education" argument my entire riding life. It was first used by anti-helmet law motorcyclists. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is just about the stupidest thing a human being can do--but it's cool!
I have been trained as a bicycling safety instructor. In thirty-four years of bicycling, my head has hit the pavement three times when I was hit by cars.
Bicyclists are simply not on the "radar" of drivers in the USA, nor do they pose the tiniest of threats to vehicles in a culture where big SUVs are a symbol of status, while cyclists who use their bikes for transportation are often scorned.
Riding a bicycle in the USA is NOTHING like riding in the Utrecht. Those "pieces of foam" are pretty damned high-tech these days, and they can save you from a brain injury. While you can still think, that is.
And I didn't even bring up the insanity of cell phones...
5
America is so far behind! There is a smattering of rail-trails and some cities have dedicated bicycle lanes, but nothing to the extent of other European countries.
55