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For me this is very nice to see. I'm moving to the Netherlands at the end of the month and am excited to be moving to a city where cyclists own the roads rather
by RLN 11y ago
For me this is very nice to see. I'm moving to the Netherlands at the end of the month and am excited to be moving to a city where cyclists own the roads rather than cars. This is a stark contrast to London where cars rule and I cycle in constant fear of being hit by a bus or an overzealous taxi driver. I think city planners have a duty to make cycling and public transport first class while deemphasising cars.
- IkmoIkmo 11y agoWelcome :) There's quite a few interesting videos on traffic design in the Netherlands, junction design is a big topic, as well as separating lanes. Videos like these might be fun to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlApbxLz6pA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlApbxLz6pA If it piques your interest, there's more comprehensive videos too like this one which is still only 5 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpQMgbDJPok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpQMgbDJPok
- the-dude 11y agoA little bit of nuance : cyclists do not own the roads. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians share the roads. Every motorist also drives his bicycle every now and then and so he knows what it is like and will accommodate. Which city BTW?
- RLN 11y agoYes I suppose motorists having an appreciation for cyclists is very important. I'll be in the Amsterdam area. Probably end up actually living in Hoofddorp.
- riffraff 11y agomy limited experience, but corroborated by discussion with other people, is that in the Netherlands (and Belgium) cyclists actually own the road, i.e. they always seem to get right of way and give little crap about pedestrians/cars/motorbikes.
- makeitsuckless 11y agoDo not mistake Amsterdam city center with the rest of the Netherlands. In the overcrowded center of Amsterdam, the locals know and understand "the dance" (the last thing a cyclist wants to do is come to a full stop every 20 meters, because it is much more "expensive" for a cyclists than it is for a pedestrian or driver, so instead of playing by the rules of right of way we do the dance of give and take), with the exception of tourists (who don't know the dance and give off confusing and confused body language) and cars (usually from out of town) stupid enough to drive in the city center in the first place.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- almightysmudge 11y agoI love the Netherlands, but cyclists there are absolutely crazy, and in incredible quantities. Of course, it doesn't help that I'm blind on my left side and the only Dutch I know is "Sorry, ik sprek gein Nederlands".
- the-dude 11y ago> but cyclists there are absolutely crazy This is only because of the outsider perspective : everybody learns to ride a bicycle as a kid ( as early as 4-5 years ). Also children about 11-12 years old bike to their schools unattended, sometimes 15km each day. Parents would not allow this if it was 'absolutely crazy'.
- almightysmudge 11y agoIt was a light hearted comment from the outside perspective, not a genuine accusation of mental health problems ;) Cycling in the Netherlands is actually lovely. Flat land, well maintained cycle paths, and beautiful countryside. Plus the thighs! My word!