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I find it quite distasteful and lacking perspective when hearing Dutch people say "cycling really isn't that great!" (although I know that's not really the poin

I find it quite distasteful and lacking perspective when hearing Dutch people say "cycling really isn't that great!" (although I know that's not really the point of this article). But still, don't ignore the horrific reality of really a lot of the world at this point: suburban america is just one isolated example. I know there's always some level of "the grass is always greener" but the Dutch emphasis on making cycling out to be not so really a big deal actually is a bit ridiculous frankly.

cheschire 5y ago
I got none of that from this article. I felt the author was trying to express the need for balanced considered approach to change rather than just a blind push to implement what the Dutch have. There's weakness inherent in the Dutch model, and while it might be the perceived pinnacle we've achieved as humanity, perhaps there's a better model if we consider it further. That's what I got here.
- dochtman 5y ago
  Yup. Given, too, that it was presented at the Dutch Cycling Embassy, I (as a Dutchman) read this as the author trying to raise the bar/challenging the Dutch discussion on transit (or Movement, as her book is called) not to get complacent.
- crispyambulance 5y ago
  > author was trying to express the need for balanced considered approach to change rather than just a blind push to implement what the Dutch have. I think that's a thoughtful concern, but really, the least of our problems in the USA is traffic planners blindly copying Amsterdam and going overboard with bike infrastructure. That just isn't going to happen. Ever. On the plus side, there are US-based traffic planning innovations that have demonstrated some success in certain metro areas such as "Complete Streets". There's more of these now than ever before.
  - joeberon 5y ago
    My point exactly. It's still a relatively utopian situation compared to most places in the US

cheschire 5y ago

I got none of that from this article. I felt the author was trying to express the need for balanced considered approach to change rather than just a blind push to implement what the Dutch have. There's weakness inherent in the Dutch model, and while it might be the perceived pinnacle we've achieved as humanity, perhaps there's a better model if we consider it further. That's what I got here.

dochtman 5y ago
Yup. Given, too, that it was presented at the Dutch Cycling Embassy, I (as a Dutchman) read this as the author trying to raise the bar/challenging the Dutch discussion on transit (or Movement, as her book is called) not to get complacent.
crispyambulance 5y ago
> author was trying to express the need for balanced considered approach to change rather than just a blind push to implement what the Dutch have. I think that's a thoughtful concern, but really, the least of our problems in the USA is traffic planners blindly copying Amsterdam and going overboard with bike infrastructure. That just isn't going to happen. Ever. On the plus side, there are US-based traffic planning innovations that have demonstrated some success in certain metro areas such as "Complete Streets". There's more of these now than ever before.
- joeberon 5y ago
  My point exactly. It's still a relatively utopian situation compared to most places in the US