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-   -   Amsterdam Bicycles (https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-safety/338535-amsterdam-bicycles.html)

CsHoSi 08-30-07 02:05 AM

Amsterdam Bicycles
 
"82 pictures of bicycles taken during 73 minutes on 9/12/06 in Amsterdam, Netherlands."

http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/

I came across this and didn't come up here so I thought some might enjoy looking at culture differences.

Seems they know better than cable locks too. Look at the section, Spectacular Gigantic Unbreakable Security Chains.

But, no helmets?

linux_author 08-30-07 04:04 AM

- thanks for posting the linky! interesting read, and even more interesting, the reader comments!

("helmets are considered *uncool*")

filtersweep 08-30-07 04:11 AM

Only if you are commuting in street clothes. Plenty of road bikers wear helmets... but you generally won't find them in the city.


Originally Posted by linux_author (Post 5174261)
- thanks for posting the linky! interesting read, and even more interesting, the reader comments!

("helmets are considered *uncool*")


edzo 08-30-07 06:16 AM

who needs helmets in the Netherlands ? they have completely separate traffic lights and paths for bikes (and scooters delivering pizza) everywhere. from birth they are on bikes...they don't ride like assclowns

tallard 08-30-07 12:53 PM


Originally Posted by CsHoSi (Post 5174152)
"82 pictures of bicycles taken during 73 minutes on 9/12/06 in Amsterdam, Netherlands."

http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/

I came across this and didn't come up here so I thought some might enjoy looking at culture differences.

Seems they know better than cable locks too. Look at the section, Spectacular Gigantic Unbreakable Security Chains.

But, no helmets?

THANK YOU, inspiring :)

San Rensho 08-30-07 01:27 PM

That is so cool. Great set of pictures. I can only dream that the US will some day be like this.

This has been argued ad nauseum in the commuter forum, but I will say it again. One of the reasons americans won't ride bikes is because bike manufacturers have shoved down their throats that they need 27 speed fully suspended MTBs or CF race bikes.

Maybe Americans would bike more if they had the clunky 1 to 3 spds, with an upright position, chainguard, fenders and a rack, that are basically maintenance free for years and years, that the pictures you took show is the most popular type of bike in Holland.

billew 08-30-07 03:51 PM

Thanks for the link. I'm a quarter dutch and now I understand everything. I also have spent my life on a bike and don't see the need for a helmet. Besides you just don't look cool with a helmet on a classic three- speed.

HamersNightmare 09-01-07 06:13 PM

My wife and I went to Amsterdam last fall and rented bikes. IT WAS A BLAST!! and we all could learn something from them. It was fun to watch rush hour traffic at busy intersections. It was a beautiful ebb and flow of cyclist, cars, buses and trolleys. Nothing was back up, it just kept flowing. I only saw 1 accident while there and it was bike/bike. (tourists!!)
As for the tiny wheeld bikes. If you had the pleasure in stepping in some of the homes you would understand. They fold up nice and small for easy storage. FYI. Amsterdamites pay property taxes based on the foot print of the house, hence the narrow facades and tall buildings.
The large encased rear wheel things are meant to protect those nice white skirts.
If any of you ever want to go on a relaxed bicycle vacation, GO TO HOLLAND! They have a bicycle interstate network that allows you to ride safely to any place in the nation.
Coolest place I have ever been, I live there it was feasible at this stage in my life.

trackhub 09-02-07 01:16 PM

Excellent set of photographs, loved 'em! The only thing I would disagree with, are those generator powered lights. It's true, if you are under 35 years of age, you have probably never seen these. I remember them, not in a good way. They add a lot of drag, and give very little light for the effort. Then again, it's probably another one of those "culture difference things". In the consumer-driven USA, everything MUST be battery powered, whereas in Europe, they probably have very few battery powered devices, except for cell phones. Do I guess correctly on that? Heck, we'd probably have battery powered toilet paper, if they could figure out how to do that. Of course, it would take an odd number of batteries, and batteries are only sold in even numbered quantities. (a conspiracy?) And is it just me, or are there a lot of cute young women over there? :D


Originally Posted by San Rensho (Post 5177517)
That is so cool. Great set of pictures. I can only dream that the US will some day be like this.

This has been argued ad nauseum in the commuter forum, but I will say it again. One of the reasons americans won't ride bikes is because bike manufacturers have shoved down their throats that they need 27 speed fully suspended MTBs or CF race bikes.

Maybe Americans would bike more if they had the clunky 1 to 3 spds, with an upright position, chainguard, fenders and a rack, that are basically maintenance free for years and years, that the pictures you took show is the most popular type of bike in Holland.

I agree completely. I know that this is one of the things that keeps some people from riding. Some companies, such as Electra and Joe Breeze, are making an honest effort to bring comfortable, easy-to-ride bikes to Americans. A lot of people are really intimidated just to enter a shop, what with all the lycra, and bikes with 27 speeds that are made of alien space ship material.

bmike 09-02-07 01:36 PM

Bringing in original Dutch bikes has changed my thinking on urban and city commuting and utility cycling. Riding around on a cargo bike or city bike one gets a very different feel for their surroundings, and even for their relationship to 'riding'. I can't recommend enough getting off the a high zoot MTB or racer and heading into town on a 3,7, or 8 speed proper city bike. Fenders, racks, dyno lights, chaincase and a wheel lock make it easy to step out for a few minutes or all day - pedal powered.

Great pics. Seems I saw them before on the interwebs... (where?)

bmike 09-02-07 01:41 PM


Originally Posted by trackhub (Post 5195131)
Excellent set of photographs, loved 'em! The only thing I would disagree with, are those generator powered lights. It's true, if you are under 35 years of age, you have probably never seen these. I remember them, not in a good way. They add a lot of drag, and give very little light for the effort.


I think you'd be surprised to try a new bottle generator driven light or a proper hub dyno setup. Some of the Dutch bikes have internal dynamos and either front LED or halogen lights. The new lights throw out plenty of light for urban riding, and if you want to do all night randonneuring events they will work well for that purpose too. (I have a SON hub and dual Schmidt lights and can ride all night, every night - the only maintanence I need to do is swap the bulbs (I'm running halogens). With and LED you wouldn't have to worry about that...)

True, the bottle dyno's add drag - but for the convenience of never worrying about batteries or charging, I'd say its worth it. If you were doing 10-20-30 mile rides at night I'd suggest making sure the bike has a hub dynamo... silent and more efficient.

-=(8)=- 09-02-07 02:06 PM


Originally Posted by bmike (Post 5195205)
Bringing in original Dutch bikes has changed my thinking on urban and city commuting and utility cycling. Riding around on a cargo bike or city bike one gets a very different feel for their surroundings, and even for their relationship to 'riding'. I can't recommend enough getting off the a high zoot MTB or racer and heading into town on a 3,7, or 8 speed proper city bike. Fenders, racks, dyno lights, chaincase and a wheel lock make it easy to step out for a few minutes or all day - pedal powered.

Great pics. Seems I saw them before on the interwebs... (where?)

+1

Mike I wish you the best in your new business adventure !! :)
I think it is beyond cool the risk you are taking by going outside the
usual Carbon Fibre / NASCAR bicycle route and going sensible utility.
The bikes you mention(MTB hi-Z00t$$) dont exist in my world.
To stay on topic.........we have a lot to learn from the Netherlands
both civily and bicycularly !!

Great Pics !! I always love the Dutch bike threads !!!

Steele-Bike 09-02-07 07:22 PM

Where are all the obese people?

Does activity = health?

Hmmm, I might be on to something here...

botto 09-03-07 02:52 AM


Originally Posted by trackhub (Post 5195131)
Excellent set of photographs, loved 'em! The only thing I would disagree with, are those generator powered lights. It's true, if you are under 35 years of age, you have probably never seen these. I remember them, not in a good way. They add a lot of drag, and give very little light for the effort. Then again, it's probably another one of those "culture difference things". In the consumer-driven USA, everything MUST be battery powered, whereas in Europe, they probably have very few battery powered devices, except for cell phones. Do I guess correctly on that? Heck, we'd probably have battery powered toilet paper, if they could figure out how to do that. Of course, it would take an odd number of batteries, and batteries are only sold in even numbered quantities. (a conspiracy?) And is it just me, or are there a lot of cute young women over there? :D

you do not.


Originally Posted by -=Łem in Pa=- (Post 5195326)
+1

Mike I wish you the best in your new business adventure !! :)
I think it is beyond cool the risk you are taking by going outside the
usual Carbon Fibre / NASCAR bicycle route and going sensible utility.
The bikes you mention(MTB hi-Z00t$$) dont exist in my world.

To stay on topic.........we have a lot to learn from the Netherlands
both civily and bicycularly !!

Great Pics !! I always love the Dutch bike threads !!!

such as?

Mofopotomus 09-03-07 08:22 AM

What I like is his mystification at the bikes with the big front baskets. Some of them are called Bakfiets and you actually can get them in the US. Matter of fact there's a dealer down the way from me. They're awesome and I want one.

Oh, and i don't think the no helmet thing is so much a function of them having a zen-like ability not to hit their heads on the ground as much as a cultural thing. I mean hell in Italy my friend saw women in mini-skirts and no helmets blasting down streets on Vespas and whatnot. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

San Rensho 09-03-07 08:29 AM


Originally Posted by Mofopotomus (Post 5199138)
I mean hell in Italy my friend saw women in mini-skirts and no helmets blasting down streets on Vespas and whatnot.

He left out "while talking on cell phones."

bmike 09-03-07 08:44 AM


Originally Posted by Mofopotomus (Post 5199138)
What I like is his mystification at the bikes with the big front baskets. Some of them are called Bakfiets and you actually can get them in the US. Matter of fact there's a dealer down the way from me. They're awesome and I want one.


you can get Bakfiets in the US... and they are most excellent for all sorts of cargo...


(see my sig!)

SirMike1983 09-03-07 11:27 AM

Those are some nice bicycles there- they still ride some classics.


For what it's worth, I switched two of my three bicycles over to tire generators a couple of years back and they do a nice job- they're not nearly the pain that many riders here in the US think they are.

randya 09-03-07 12:00 PM

clevercycles, Portland's Dutch bike shop.

I'll give my pitch for dyno lights, too. They are very bright with halogen bulbs, the old Union lamps throw very good focused beams, and drag is only about 10%. I've got them on practically all of my bikes, if you're near a shop that sells used bicycle stuff, like citybikes, you can often get a complete setup - dyno, front and rear lamps, mounting brackets - for less than $25, an incredible deal compared to the overpriced and overrated battery lights most merkins use.

Tapeworm21 09-03-07 12:13 PM

I really wish America would have the same style of bikes. The bright orange bike with the big wheel cover on it is fantastic! I'd kill for that bike.

botto 09-03-07 01:53 PM

how many of you have actually lived in the netherlands?

San Rensho 09-03-07 02:32 PM


Originally Posted by botto (Post 5200664)
how many of you have actually lived in the netherlands?

It seems someone who shall remain nameless does not think much of Holland. Don't dance around it man, come out and shout it from the heart!

Please tell us why your disdain for the Dutch?

botto 09-03-07 03:25 PM


Originally Posted by San Rensho (Post 5200837)
It seems someone who shall remain nameless does not think much of Holland. Don't dance around it man, come out and shout it from the heart!

Please tell us why your disdain for the Dutch?

disdain isn't the correct description, experience is. 12 years, and counting.

bmike 09-03-07 03:27 PM


Originally Posted by botto (Post 5201080)
disdain isn't the correct description, experience is. 12 years, and counting.

share.
open up.

its ok.

botto 09-03-07 03:30 PM


Originally Posted by bmike (Post 5201091)
share.
open up.

its ok.

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