Bicycling is much more than recreation in Holland. It’s a way of life. The Dutch behave towards bicycles in a way that tells you…..they’re pretty much born on their bikes. I remember witnessing one example of this on a regular basis:: a bicyclist would slow down to talk with a pedestrian and then, the two would apparently want to continue the conversation> Somehow (seemingly defying the laws of physics), the pedestrian did a little run of a few steps and whoops-a-daisied themselves, sidesaddle, onto the bike’s rear passenger seat…..without the bike ever stopping! This was all done with such aplomb and casualness that even a newcomer like me could tell, for the Dutch, it was no big deal.
There is a plethora of good information about how this all works, how “The coexistence of different modes of travel [bicycle and car]l is hard-wired into the culture. A New York Times article notes that:
Dutch drivers are taught that when you are about to get out of the car, you reach for the door handle with your right hand — bringing your arm across your body to the door. This forces a driver to swivel shoulders and head, so that before opening the door you can see if there is a bike coming from behind.
“Strict Liability,” explains GJ Baan of Dutch gear shop And Dutch, “is supported by the Dutch law … [it means] the driver’s insurance is deemed responsible when a collision occurs between a cyclist and a car.”
Another visitor/blogger, visiting Holland and delighted by their passion for bicycling, notes that the bikes might not be what you expect, if you think a passion for bicycling requires costly racing bikes, spandex and enough accessories to make you look like a cyborg:
“the Dutch use bikes that are sort of akin to a Cadillac…it’s a cruising, ‘out on a Sunday drive’ bike. The bikes looked old since they had no gears and sometimes no handbrakes (remember the old foot ‘backwards’ brake?), and they were normally just plain black in color and heavy. You had a big cushy seat and sat upright while riding it not caring about wind resistance or speed. Because of the bike design, it gave the whole country an even more laid back feel to me.
If you think that bicycling is just for the fit, or the young, Holland will change your mind. Check out this video, entitled: “Eight to eighty, people of all ages cycling in the Netherlands “
A truly excellent site for understanding all that goes into the culture of bicycling in Holland is Amsterdamize.com. Marc van Woudenberg, the guy who runs the site is a world authority on how other cities might emulate the biking culture of Amsterdam. Here are a few of his observations:
- Cycling is so much part of everyday life in the Netherlands that not many Dutch people give it a second thought, let alone recognize the ‘culture’ part of it. It’s that normal. As normal as water from the tap. It’s just there and we use it. And yes, the Dutch take it for granted.
- A population of just 16.7 million souls [in Holland owns] close to 20 million bicycles
- 80% of all Dutch cycle at least once a week.
- During rush hour, there are more people going from a to b (for all purposes) by bicycle than by car.
- Through trial and error, sustained efforts and a long-term vision the Dutch managed to reverse a downward trend and put bicycles back on the map & make them a viable part of our lives again. Fast, convenient, comfortable and safe.
London is now beginning an effort to make itself a more sustainable city, which means, among other things, fewer cars and more bikes. The Guardian points out that Holland’s success in creating a successful bike culture is not just about adding bike lanes, and it’s not a one-way street either. Bicyclists, given an equal standing to cars, are held more accountable:
“being a respected, mainstream means of transport incurs responsibilities as well as offering rights. Laws about lights, bells, bikes on trains, as well as compulsory paths, are rigorously policed.
Here are a few photos from Untourists of bikes in Holland to enjoy:
Find more photos like this on UnTours Cafe