Originally Posted by
mtb_addict
My experience is when you have something really good...eventually it will be ruined by outside people finding out and moving in.
That's a general problem with tourism, lots of people looking for something they're destroying in the process, but Amsterdam can absord quite a lot and did so happily for many years. But it had right wing council combined with a right wing government that decided to a general sell out. With Schiphol as one of the big internationals hubs, the fall in ticket prices and airbnb it has really gotten out of hand in only a few years. The well beeing of the citizens was sold on the cheap, that does not only mean people who come for a day or two to take a few selfies and move on to the next selfie background somewhere in the world, but also English stag parties and groups in a simular mood who fly over the Channel for 30 euro's and will spend the rest of their money on beer and drugs while harassing the locals, including the hookers. It's not just overtourism, with the kind of tourists it attracts it's little money for lots of nuisance.
Originally Posted by
Rowan
The bike path situation, while looking grand, can result in serious downgrading of level quality. And if you want to ride on the road with a bike path running parallel to it, be prepared for really aggressive driving skills and attitudes towards someone not wanted on roads. The density of bike usage is so bad in some parts that, as some of the pictures illustrate, it is almost impossible to get anywhere with any level of efficiency. And the bike parking becomes intimidating on footpaths for ordinary pedestrians.
Intimidating to foreigners maybe. It's actually very efficient, you can get about anywhere in less than half an hour and there is an awful lot to go to. But it there's a bike lane the little space there's left for cars is for cars. You're not allowed to ride there. If bicycle tourists of all people start misbehaving too.....
Originally Posted by
ollo_ollo
One reason for all those cyclists is the personal income tax rate: It varies, but currently 52%, avg 1995=2018 was 54% (high 60%/low 52%). Anybody know if they also have a VAT, Property Tax, Capital Gain Tax, etc.? Don
No, if everybody who could easily afford a car would drive one instead of a bike the tourism problem would be solved because no one wants to visit the biggest traffic jam in the world. If you own a car and have a parking permit you use it to get out of the city, not to drive within the city. It's slower and it's no fun driving. Taxes are high but no one actually pays the 52%, it's part of a taxation with lower percentages and tax breaks, and you get quite a lot in return. The average/median Dutch probably has quite a bit more to spend after taxes and bills than the average American.