St. Pete Times - Biking in Holland

[linux_author]

front page article (http://sptimes.com/2005/10/28/Worldandnation/Travel_s_no_sweat_in_.shtml)

[trackhub]

Interesting article, thanks.

I've never been to Holland. For years, I have heard two contrary views of riding there.

1. "It's a bicyclist's paradise!"
2. "No, it's not!"

Anyone with direct experience?

Don't know about that 31% obesity figure for Americans. A ride past the local school bus stop in the morning would seem to put that figure a lot higher.

Thanks again for posting this.

[mr_tom]

I've been to Holland. It's not perfection, but you can see it from there.

The best thing is the attitude: because /everyone/ cycles at least some of the time, drivers and pedestrians are tuned-in to where cyclists are likely to be. Wide cycle lanes help to. :-)

[closetbiker]

The Netherlands has 6.3 highway deaths per 100,000 of population, compared with almost 15 in the United States.

I like this because it shows even those who drive are safer in the Netherlands.

I'd previously posted a 2000 study at Rutgers University that said for each 100 million of cycling trips, 1.6 Dutch cyclists were killed in accidents in 1995. By contrast, U.S. city dwellers die at a much higher rate: 26.3 bike fatalities for every 100 million trips.

There is a lot to learn from the Netherlands to make cycling safer here and to advocate for people to cycle to make the roads safer for everyone.

[lws]

I've been to Holland. It's not a great place to be a serious roadie, but it's an incredible place to toodle down to the coffee shop on a three-speed, and probably the only place I've ever seen that you can pick up a date on Friday night on your bike. And she might even pedal.

I enjoy my roadie-ness, but I would give it up for the sake of living in Haarlem or Amsterdam.

[genec]

I have never been there... my neighbor has... she was all excited about cycling there, which I found unusual as she is not exactly the athletic type, and certainly does not fit the body image of a roadie.

She actually ordered a bike from there that was similar to what she rode most of the time there. It was like no bike I have ever seen. It almost looked like a Vespa scooter without the engine. Has a large seat with an upright seat back. The thing weighs a ton (OK, perhaps 70 pounds). It has a very substantial frame and a headset that allows very easy height changes of the bars.

I rode it and it has "comfort bike" written all over it... great for cruising flat surfaces... even with cobbles, as the tires were quite heavy and wide. (remember, "Vespa-like").

Would it work for my commute... I donno, coming up those hills I climb is difficult enough on my road bike...

On the flip side... the roads and bikes in Holland did get my neighbor out riding... so there has to be something said for that.

Certainly "roadies" such as seen in the US and in France are not like the "daily riders" one sees in Holland and China (which I have been to)... but then no where else is a population so dependent on Bicycles...

So this begs the question of what is really desired by cyclists:

A road system and population that rides everywhere and is highly dependent on bicycles, albeit not "road bikes." Or a place where "roadies" can zip along at 20+MPH, but the majority of the population does not ride, nor depend on bikes and may even be hostile to the few cyclists out there.

[closetbiker]

I just hate waste and misconceptions. The bicycle is the most efficient mode of transportation, but I don't even think that that is it's greatest asset. The overall benefit that others receive from cyclists is. We make the roads safer, the air cleaner and health care cheaper.

I just love the picture at the head of the article showing all those bikes. What a common sense way to move about.

[Treespeed]

I visited Amsterdam a month ago and I thought it was great. I think I only saw a handful of "road bikes." What I found cooler were the cargo bikes and bikes for carrying mutiple children. I will say one thing the women were gorgeous, women with three kids on a bike with the figures of super models, as opposed to the women in this country who have three kids and turn into pears. My wife is having her first this spring and is on me to make sure her bike is in top notch condition for her to get right back in shape.

I don't think there would need to be any fundamental infrastructure changes in most urban areas if a ton of people started riding. Drivers would just have to get used to it. It's one thing to honk at some lycra clad roadie and another to honk at twenty cycling mothers with their children.

Personally, I'm going to start learning Dutch and move as soon as I can.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

I've never been to Holland. For years, I have heard two contrary views of riding there.
1. "It's a bicyclist's paradise!"
2. "No, it's not!"
Anyone with direct experience?

I've been to Holland. It's not a great place to be a serious roadie, but it's an incredible place to toodle down to the coffee shop on a three-speed, and probably the only place I've ever seen that you can pick up a date on Friday night on your bike. And she might even pedal. I enjoy my roadie-ness, but I would give it up for the sake of living in Haarlem or Amsterdam.

I just love the picture at the head of the article showing all those bikes. What a common sense way to move about.

If you like that picture here are more taken at the Leiden and Amsterdam stations as well as the Heidelberg, GE stations. I was in and out of the Netherlands for 10 years while living in Europe. It is not perfection but as close as you can get in a prosperous first world country. I find LWS's honest impressions both revealing and enlightening.

I can't recall any cyclists who have actually been there bad mouthing the Netherland's cycling environment except for one or two so-called serious roadie types (who may or may not ever have been there) and who could not have cared less about transportation, utility use of bicycles, or about non-competitive, non group cycling activities.

[RocketsRedglare]

Most of my family still lives there (my mom is dutch) Been there a few times. Its great.

But let's not forget two things. Holland is very small. About the size New Jersey, if that., And its very flat. I think the highest point is about 1000 feet and that's on the german border. Besides cycles, they have a great public transit system, Its very easy to get around. On top of that, the Dutch seem to have a keener sense of living with a purpose and tolerance.

And then there are the Dutch athletic teams. For such a small country, they put out a disproportionate share of world-class and elite athletes. Soccer, Speed skating, Cycling and Rowing.

[timmhaan]

yeah. the infrastructure in holland, both physical and cultural, is well suited for cycling.

[closetbiker]

The culture that kills me is the culture that leads people to drive their car from one end of the parking lot to the other. No kidding. I see it every day at a shopping center that I go to. On the outside corners of it are a bank, Safeway and a video store. I see people drive to each store. I usually ride down to the center to run my errands, but if I do drive (as if I'm with my wife or kids or if it's on the way from some other errands) I'll park in the center of the lot and walk to each store.

2 of my neighbours work 1(!) kilometer from home, but they drive.

There are many shops, services and schools in a distance easy to cycle to in my area, but the cultural attitude is to drive to each one. Maybe it's fear, maybe it's laziness, but I think it has more to do with the attitude that to get around, you have to drive. You don't have to, of course. It's often better if you don't.

[timmhaan]

yeah the parking lot thing drives me crazy too. especially when people circle around endlessly looking for spaces nearest the entrance. can't walk an extra 50 feet??

[AndrewP]

One problem with the Netherlands - mopeds at 30 mph on the cycle paths next to the highways.

[Helmet Head]

The Netherlands, Davis, flat. That changes everything when it comes to bicycling. The weight and physical condition of the cyclist matters much less, the weight of the bicycle matters much less, so you instantly have much more interest in cycling.

Couple that with the inconvenience and cost of using a car there, and you have a lot of people using bikes.

There really isn't much to learn there that is actually applicable elsewhere.

Much of the credit that is given to their facilities actually belongs to other factors.

The worst thing we can do is try to apply what "works" there, here. It's kind of like trying to build homes that "work" on Earth, on the moon.

Just because a particular solution/approach seems to work in one environment does not mean it will work in another. You need to understand why it works, by taking into considerations all of the reasons for it working there.

[randya]

Just because a particular solution/approach seems to work in one environment does not mean it will work in another. You need to understand why it works, by taking into considerations all of the reasons for it working there.
You should take your own advice to heart when it comes to insisting that VC is the only way to bicycle in the USA.

[closetbiker]

I think there's lots to learn from over there. We don't have the same situation, of course, but there are still things to be learned.

I live in a flat enviroment, and it's close to many stores and services, yet people insist to drive.

I think attitude is a big part of it and maybe if inconvenience and cost of using a car is restrictive (and it is, with each passing year) it'll make more sense to ride instead of being stuck in a jam paying 3 bucks a gallon.

The trick is to get past all the mass hype about how "cool" and "powerful" driving is. Money talks, and they do a good job in promoting their product.

"A bicycle is a toy for kids, for the poor people who can't afford a car, and a few adults stuck in arrested deveoupment and dangerous to boot" - Yeah - right - Shell out your cash folks.

[trackhub]

The culture that kills me is the culture that leads people to drive their car from one end of the parking lot to the other. No kidding. I see it every day at a shopping center that I go to. On the outside corners of it are a bank, Safeway and a video store. I see people drive to each store. I usually ride down to the center to run my errands, but if I do drive (as if I'm with my wife or kids or if it's on the way from some other errands) I'll park in the center of the lot and walk to each store.

2 of my neighbours work 1(!) kilometer from home, but they drive.

There are many shops, services and schools in a distance easy to cycle to in my area, but the cultural attitude is to drive to each one. Maybe it's fear, maybe it's laziness, but I think it has more to do with the attitude that to get around, you have to drive. You don't have to, of course. It's often better if you don't.

Oh I hear that. I live in a large apartment complex. At one end, is a small strip mall that consists of a gas station, sandwich shop, (excellent roast beef sandwiches, and damn tasty soups!) and a convenience store. From my end of the complex, it is a five minute walk, tops. You guessed it, almost everyone gets into their cars, and drives across the parking lots, to the convenience store! I have had a few people who, upon seeing me heading in with some bags of groceries and a newspaper, either look at me as though I were crazy, or ask outright, "Did you walk all the way back from the store?" Another asked me if something was wrong with my car, since I had walked up to the store and back. Is there a pattern here, or is it just me?

I have thought about taking one of those arranged vacations/tours of holland. Those bikes all look heavy alright, but I am betting they last a few decades. (Oh dear! Something else that is considered un-american!) I imagine my fixed gear would be way out of place! There are plenty of tour operators, all seem to offer good package deals.

Electra bike corp makes "comfort cruisers", but theirs are reasonably light, and decent to ride. I have not owned one, but I did try one. Nice, but don't expect the speed or nimble handling of a road bike. Electra seems to have changed their marketing though, and now they seem to be concentrating on the "cool youth" market. (just a guess) Their bikes also seem to have become fashion items for some Hollywood types.


On a less serious note: Is it true that a lot of the ladies over there are tall, lovely, leggy blondes? That's it, I'm Going! :D

[thenut]

wow i dident know hollands had bikes

[I-Like-To-Bike]

The Netherlands, Davis, flat. That changes everything when it comes to bicycling. The weight and physical condition of the cyclist matters much less, the weight of the bicycle matters much less, so you instantly have much more interest in cycling.

Couple that with the inconvenience and cost of using a car there, and you have a lot of people using bikes.

There really isn't much to learn there that is actually applicable elsewhere.

Not surprisingly millions and millions of people in North America also live in reasonably flat areas. After all most cities and metropolitan areas are not built on the sides of mountains for good reason. Been to Chicago lately?

Cyclists and others considering the practicality of cycling for work, school, shopping, pleasure, etc. are concerned with the topography of where they live and want to go, not what mountains and steep hills might be found elsewhere.

Most people that do live in areas that require frequent navigating of long steep long hills to get anywhere are unlikely to consider cycling to be a practical alternative to driving or public transportation (where available) for daily transportation needs. And most sensible advocates would prioritize their efforts to promoting cycling where the conditions are considered suitable (or improving the cycling environment) for others besides alpha dog cycling club enthusiasts. And no, zealous promotion of "educating" the masses with VC dogma is not my idea of improving the cycling environment.

You should take your own advice to heart when it comes to insisting that VC is the only way to bicycle in the USA.

Ain't it the truth?

[timmhaan]

this is why i like college campuses so much. it's the closest thing we have to what holland has in terms of utilizing bicycles. too bad it's just a tiny part of any city.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

this is why i like college campuses so much. it's the closest thing we have to what holland has in terms of utilizing bicycles. too bad it's just a tiny part of any city.
Unless the "city", such as it is, exists to serve the campus.

Roar, Lions, Roar!

Badger Boys, You're next!

[sbhikes]

Holland also has terrible weather. So you can't generalize about all the factors that contribute to their culture of cycling. They have an infrastructure that supports it, but there has to be something else that makes it possible besides just infrastructure.

We have a car culture in North America, and especially in the US. We cling to it even while it's killing us and destroying our communities and natural environment. We cling to it even when we live in flat cities with wide streets and good weather.

VC education won't get more people on their bikes. Providing better cycling infrastructure might get a few more people, but not many. But what we really need is a change in our culture so we don't think it's normal to drive 500 yards to the next shop at the mall.

[lws]

I don't agree that Holland has terrible weather. It's worse than Santa Barbara, sure, but it's still better than:

- the Northeast, on account of it scarcely snows in Holland
- the Southeast, on account of summers being relatively mild
- the Midwest, on account of the temperature ranges being comparitively narrow
- the Southwest, on account of not having 110F scorchers and those miserable thorns

Someone mentioned Chicago being flat, which is true, but suggesting that more than a handful of fanatics would willingly cycle through a Chicago winter is just insane. Their summers are also pretty hot. To live car-free in Chicago means you must be able to rely on mass transit as a backup option.

[levensnevel]

Nice reading that article in the St Petersburg Times.
I'm a dutchie who lives in a small village (40,000 inhabitants) and who's a daily bike commuter (12.5 miles one-way) whole year around.
Think that the basic difference with other countries is we have seperate roads for bicycles whenever possible. ( e.g. I can take a 50 miles tour in the area where I live with just 2 traffic lights and 90% of roads on which no passengercars are allowed)
The climate is OK, bit of rain, bit of wind, temperatures usually never drop further that 15 degrees celcius below zero so commuting over a 12.5 miles stretch is basically no problem. Last winter I skipped just one week as we enjoyed snowdunes upto 100 cm in the area where I work.
Having said that: Everything is obviously relative but I don't think that everyone in our country is as committed to biking as the article suggests. e.g. I work in an area called the Maasvlakte and, percentagewise, less that one percent of all people who work in that area use a bicycle as their primary mode for commuting. In the company where I work I'm the only one in a workforce of 200 people who take the bicycle. But than again the village closest to the Maasvlakte is at a five miles distance.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Someone mentioned Chicago being flat, which is true, but suggesting that more than a handful of fanatics would willingly cycle through a Chicago winter is just insane. Their summers are also pretty hot. To live car-free in Chicago means you must be able to rely on mass transit as a backup option.
1. The article on biking in Holland is NOT about living car-free, it was about biking to take care of chores that can be done, and ARE done in Dutch cities by bicycle. Car-free requirements are your construct.

BTW, car-free living by choice almost anywhere requires a public transportation backup option, or a less saintly friend/neighbor who doesn't mind furnishing personal transportation whenever you want it. Exceptions for a backup are those who choose (or are forced by economic circumstances) to live within the limitations of their mode of transportation and NEVER have a requirement to get anywhere when sick, injured or in bad weather, nor any responsibility to transport themselves and/or others over any significant distance in a timely manner.

2. Sometimes the weather IS too hot, sometimes it IS too cold and sometimes it is just right. In Chicago and elsewhere. For some, cycling is not just about cycling in perfect conditions.

Those who would only cycle on sunny days with a "just right" temperature might consider cycling when it is raining, or MIGHT rain, as fanatical or insane. The Dutch do not, I do not. Do you?

[trackhub]

Greetings levensnevel. Glad to have you in this discussion.

I'm in Boston Massachusetts, and believe me, after last winter, I think I'm ready for pretty much anything. Endless snowstorms, and single-digit tempetures that went on for weeks. It was yet another year when winter seemed to go on until mid-may, with perpetual cloudy days, and temps that dipped into the 30's. Toss in a random freezing rain storms here and there.

The Four seasons in New England: Almost winter, winter, still winter, road construction.

..But what we really need is a change in our culture so we don't think it's normal to drive 500 yards to the next shop at the mall.

I agree, but that will be difficult, if not impossible. It has even been said that "Americans vote with their right foot". Car culture has been imprinted on us from the time we became self-aware. This, along with the billions of dollars connected with car culture, (and all the political power that comes with those billions) and I think we're in for a long, long wait.

This is a good thread, didn't mean to sound so gloomy and doomy.

[closetbiker]

I don't think you're being too gloomy and doomy, you just have a sensible amount of realism.

Drivers here complain that there is often a clear car pool lane when the regular lanes are jammed full (missing out on the obvious logic that if they were car pooling, they would have that clear lane).

This thought process is similar to the one where people live 30 miles from work and 5 miles from the nearest shopping and then these people complain about the traffic. Please don't create your own problem and then complain about it. We all make our choices.

To me the solution of transportation problems means, live close to work and shopping, and try a different way of getting around if car traffic is causing problems. I use a bike, and I actually enjoy going to work.

[lws]

1. The article on biking in Holland is NOT about living car-free, it was about biking to take care of chores that can be done, and ARE done in Dutch cities by bicycle. Car-free requirements are your construct.Car-free requirements are based on my experience in a couple of major Dutch cities. The folks in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, and Den Haag ride because many of them don't own cars, because cars are three times as expensive to own and operate as in the US, considering taxes, purchase price, and food and housing. Meanwhile, Dutch residents have somewhat less disposable income than in the States. In the smaller cities and towns throughout the Netherlands, where people are more likely to own cars because real estate is less expensive, the rate of bicycling is far, far, lower. Once you have sunk funds into the major fixed expenses of owning an automobile, the incremental expenses are less of an impediment to actually using the thing.


2. Sometimes the weather IS too hot, sometimes it IS too cold and sometimes it is just right. In Chicago and elsewhere. For some, cycling is not just about cycling in perfect conditions.

Those who would only cycle on sunny days with a "just right" temperature might consider cycling when it is raining, or MIGHT rain, as fanatical or insane. The Dutch do not, I do not. Do you?

For *some*, cycling is not just about cycling in perfect conditions. But not for most, nor is it likely to be. Including the Dutch - they ride in inclement weather because they are committed to it by circumstance, not out of choice, and the rates of such have waned over the last 20 years by my anecdotal experience.

I have lived semi-car-free (one car, two people, and I didn't use it very much, but I did have it at my occasional disposal -- your "saintly friend" model) for 12 years, and ride in quite a range of weather and temperature. Even so, there are conditions in which cycling is literally life-threatening. To ride under those conditions is either desperate (due to unfortunate circumstances), fanatical, or insane.

[levensnevel]

Plse note that, according to our own (Dutch) standards, we have become a car dependant society.
some 2004 figures:
> 16.3 million inhabitants
> 7,049,280 households
> 425 cars per 1,000 inhabitants
> in NoordHolland and ZuidHolland, with cities like Amsterdam - Haarlem - Leiden - DenHaag - Rotterdam, this figure is 400 / 1000
> in less dense populated areas this figure is, obviously, higher: e.g. Flevoland 510 / 1000
> 16% of all households own 2 cars or more
> the percentage of households which have to rely solely on a bicycle, a moped or public transport is decreasing steadily: from 21% in 1994 to 17% in 2003

Would be interesting to compare these figures with e.g. U.S.- or U.K. figures

[closetbiker]

levensnevel, I was wondering on average or, about, how far away would be most of the detinations be for Netherland cyclists?

It would seem a distance of less than 5 kms to destination would generate more cycle traffic than more than 10 kms to destination. I know a vast majority of my cycle errands are within 2 or 3 kilometers from my home.

North America seems to spead out it's stores from residences, thus creating a need for car travel, but if you live within an area that can take care of all your needs that are within walking or cycling distance, the use of cars would be less.

It would seem to me that the people in your area would live far closer to amenities than would North American people.

[levensnevel]

Well ClosetBiker,

Most bicycle traffic takes place within a 5 miles radius from home.

[genec]

Greetings levensnevel. Glad to have you in this discussion.

I'm in Boston Massachusetts, and believe me, after last winter, I think I'm ready for pretty much anything. Endless snowstorms, and single-digit tempetures that went on for weeks. It was yet another year when winter seemed to go on until mid-may, with perpetual cloudy days, and temps that dipped into the 30's. Toss in a random freezing rain storms here and there.

The Four seasons in New England: Almost winter, winter, still winter, road construction.

I agree, but that will be difficult, if not impossible. It has even been said that "Americans vote with their right foot". Car culture has been imprinted on us from the time we became self-aware. This, along with the billions of dollars connected with car culture, (and all the political power that comes with those billions) and I think we're in for a long, long wait.

This is a good thread, didn't mean to sound so gloomy and doomy.

Sadly I tend to agree, but bear in mind that this car culture thing is only about 100 years old... It's not as if folks in the 1890s were relying on the automobile to get their daily chores done. Autos in this country were pretty much a novelty until about the 1920s, and even then, housing built post WW2 still tended toward single garages. Two car households didn't become the "norm" until the '60s. That's only some 40 or so years ago.

Perhaps in another 40 years or so we can shed one of those motorized vehicles for a bicycle in the garage...

[closetbiker]

Well ClosetBiker,

Most bicycle traffic takes place within a 5 miles radius from home.

Thanks, that's what I thought.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Most bicycle traffic takes place within a 5 miles radius from home.
I would guess that approximately 5 miles is the outer limit that would be considered as practical/reasonable for transportational/utility cycling planning purposes. I would expect that to hold true in numerous countries. Longer distances are usually (IMO) the realm of enthusiasts.

[trackhub]

Sadly I tend to agree, but bear in mind that this car culture thing is only about 100 years old... It's not as if folks in the 1890s were relying on the automobile to get their daily chores done. Autos in this country were pretty much a novelty until about the 1920s, and even then, housing built post WW2 still tended toward single garages. Two car households didn't become the "norm" until the '60s. That's only some 40 or so years ago.

Perhaps in another 40 years or so we can shed one of those motorized vehicles for a bicycle in the garage...

Indeed. Not to sound like a member of the "foil hat crowd", but it does seem that the history of bicycling in this country is being deliberately forgotten about. Very few people are aware that from the 1890's to the early 1920's, the bicycle was a dominant means of transportation in this country.

Ever have someone use the classic "the roads were put there for cars!" argument? I've pointed out to a few people that this is not the case at all, supported by the simple fact that bicycles were on the roads years before the first Model T clanged its way off the production floor. (And sometimes, people do not want to hear this. )

levensnevel, about much of a bike ride is it from Amsterdam to Hilversum? (home or Radio Netherlands. www.rnw.nl) I'm just playing with some distances here. I'm looking at some photos on various websites, and some of your bikeways look awfully inviting. :D

[levensnevel]

mmmm trackhub,

I'm not really familiar with the roads in that area
Having checked a routeplanner (www. maporama.com) I would follow take the route Amsterdam - Weesp - Ankeveen - Meent - Hilversum. which will be some 25 km I guess.
But I would always first test drive the route in the weekend to check out the dangerzones and to see if it is possible to avoid them

[Woutert]

Another Dutchie reporting in :).

Using a bicycle is just natural to 'us'. Most of our daily shopping/errands can be done within a 4 mile radius (tops, most of it is at 1,5 or so) as there still are quite a lot of small grocerie stores around. Also, as a child you'll probably ride to school, instead of being driven (only for the fat rich kids) or taking a bus (forgetting 'the small bus' though :). From age 12 tot 17, I was able to simply cycle to school at not even a full mile. It's just all too easy.

We Dutchies tend to think 'we are all that', being healthy (wich isn't quite true anymore these days..), being rich (well, compared to the third world), being 'green'. Through that vision, we see alot of what's going on in the UK and the US regarding traffic and eating patterns. It seems that you are not able to go for a small errand by bike, you need to travel quite some miles (and thus by car) and as cars, gas and taxes are pretty darn cheap in the US, why wouldn't you?

Well, I think i'm losing the point I was planning on making. Hmm.

I have to agree though, cycling in Holland is great. For errands and slow-paced recreational rides. As a roadie, it becomes more difficult though. Well, not really difficult, just different. Somebody claimed they didn't see any roadbikes in Amsterdam, that's simply because there is no use for a roadie in Amsterdam. They go out, onto the dikes, the polders, that's where it's relatively calm and enough open space to pace up. I myself like heading into the dunes, though once you've seen 'em, they are all quite the same...

[trackhub]

Glad you gentlemen are aboard. :)

On all those bikes I see in the photographs: I'm thinking of the old Raleigh 3-speed models that were so common in the U.S., during the 60's and 70's. Yeah, they were heavy, and the steel wheels and hard-to-use brakes didn't help. But, They were comfortable to ride, and built to last decades. There are still a respectable number of them in use here. They do what they are intended to do, provide transportation, and last a long time.

So, how out of place would I be with my fixed gear?

[I-Like-To-Bike]

So, how out of place would I be with my fixed gear?
Based on practicality, probably no more out of place than anywhere else if and when gears, coasting, fenders, clean clothes, and cargo carrying capabilities are considered unnecessary.

[LittleBigMan]

I think most people choose how to get around based mostly on convenience and expense, not for idealistic reasons. As long as it's cheap and convenient to drive, and distances are far, only those who really love to ride a bicycle will ride for transportation.

It's a lot like starting an exercise program. People start exercise programs with the best of intentions, but often drop out if they don't really enjoy the kind of exercise they're doing.

[closetbiker]

I think most people choose how to get around based mostly on convenience and expense, not for idealistic reasons.


I agree, and to add some newer riders, maybe bad traffic and poor or expensive parking is cyclings' ally for advocacy.

[UCSDbikeAnarchy]

I grew up in Sacramento, lived in San Deigo for 2 years, and have lived in the Netherlands for 3.5 months.
Here’s my perspective: This cycling is a huge part of the culture here. Mom’s are seen on bikes with two kids and a full load of groceries. Guys take girls out on the back of their bikes. Every single train station has hundreds (or thousands) of parking spots., plus guarded pay garages. Although cycling lanes and normally set apart from the roads, drivers watch out for cyclists at intersections. Most 14 year-old girls have better bike handling skills than a lot of CAT 5 racers I know.

The town of Leiden dates back to the 16th century. Streets are narrow and are ruled almost entirely by bikes. There is almost no parking for cars in the old city center. Streets are lined with first floor stores and second and third floor offices and apartments, what modern urban planners like to call “mixed use”. But even in newer areas, housing is built above supermarkets and shopping malls. Most families here have one car, but use it for weekend trips, or maybe a trip to the wholesale grocery store, or Ikea. Public transit is also very good, and for everyday mobility, there is no need for a car.

Most of the bikes here are rust three-speeds that are older than their riders. Business people normally have nice commuter bikes. Nexus 7 speed hubs with a full enclosed drive train, fenders, a generator hub and lights. Racks, and panniers.
I think I have seen about 3 really fat Dutch people since I’ve been here, and they were mostly riding scooters (which use the same lanes as bikes). I live on the outskirts of town and its 2-3K to the nearest grocery store, and about 5k into town. In the US I have always lived within a mile and a half to shopping, and I would watch my neighbors drive and fight for parking even if they were just picking up a CD from Wal-Mart. Of course, when I ride my bike to the store, I have to cross a major street, and the parking lot, where drivers never pay any attention to cyclists.
On the hottest day of the year, the beach at Wassenaar, 8k from the nearest city, I estimated over 1,000 bikes.

Although America isn’t built for cyclists the way Holland is I see no reason why more short trips can’t be replace by biking, and in the long run we can end suburban sprawl and build livable communities.

[Woutert]

UCSDbikeAnarchy, that's exactly what I was trying to point out - but sort of failed in :). Cool to see you live in Leiden, I live just 15K's West, in Noordwijk. Parking for the beaches is indeed horror, that's why most of the people just opt to go by bike - even though they live miles away. I think you meant the beach at Wassenaarseslag? As Wassenaar itself is almost directly connected to Den Haag/The Hague.

By the way, I've got a nice 7 speed Nexus fully enclosed drive train, but not quite the business guy (yet!). In the city it's best to just use an old bike - as you stated you see alot - because the nicer bikes will probably get stolen within the first weeks... If your old singlespeed model gets stolen, you just pick out another one at the Central Station without a lock.