folder fanatic

Here is a 5 minute short documentary on cycle paths in the Netherlands. The growth of these paths help foster the unique use and attitude toward cycling that is still growing there today. Perhaps there is still hope for the rest of us!
From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrqG0DqkSlw&feature=player_embedded

hotbike

I liked that video very much, and I watched a few more, then I subscribed to markenlei 's you tube channel.

Roody

Interesting video. Of course, there's a lot of debate in the US over whether separated bike facilities are the best way to go in this country, or whether the push should be for better sharing of the good streets and roads that already exist. From the video, it's easy to see that our history has been different from Holland's, and there are also geographical and cultural differences between the two nations.

Foofy

Cool video.

zeppinger

After watching that video I question whether or not American drivers will ever be able to safely share the roads. Those paths look mighty nice!

Dahon.Steve

If were aren't going to build cycle paths, then get rid of the line in the center of the road. That line is what's causing all the problem because the motorist gives very little space to the cyclist in order to stay within that line. I've noticed when streets are repaved and just before they paint the line down the middle of the road, riding becomes much safer as cars give more room for the cyclist.

Dahon.Steve

Does anyone notice that Banner for AllState insurance? It's amazing that you can save $348.00 dollars using their expensive insurance. I can just imagine how much the policy has to cost in order to get that savings? I remember 20 years ago paying around that much to cover the car for an entire year. Today, 350.00 dollars is just the amount you SAVE after paying 2K ore more for insurance!!

Anyway, those who are carfree don't have to worry.

dutchmoon

Hello.

I'm Dutch girl (from the Netherlands) and in my country it is as normal that one rides on a bike as going to the toilet. The average number of bikes that a Dutchman owns in 1,5.
On 16 million Dutchman there are 24 million bikes.

Since the 80's local governments have made city centres very unattractive to cars. Cars have to pass many obstacles before they can enter the old centres. Parking area's are not limitless available and are expansive.The result of all this is that most inhabitants go shopping by bike, and if close to home the go to work by bike. By forcing the car drivers to look for alternative transportation the have to leave there precious cars.Of course it makes a big difference if the terrain is a little flat. It is a totally different culture than the American
motorised culture.

An other problem that works for the use of bikes is the cost of fuel in Europe.
One gallon of petrol will cost you about $11,50. Those beautiful American trucks use ridicules amounts of fuel and are not very popular in my country. Lighter and more fuel economical cars will improve the air and the way of living. It is not so strange that the American population (8.5% of the worlds population) uses 25% of all fossil fuel on the planet. This is very hard to accept for the rest of the world. Make your petrol more expensive by taxing it more, and with that money the cycle infrastructure can be financed.
A bike friendly US will bring a lot of European cyclists for there vacation (I will......)

Best of luck to those that try to change it.

Roody

I'm so glad you commented with your first hand experiences. The Dutch model is an inspiration for many bike advocates and carfree proponents around the world. We know most about your bike facilities, but I find it interesting that other things are done to discourage driving, such as providing fewer places to park. (Personally, I think parking is almost as big a problem as drivin since it requires a lot of space,k runoff of rain water, carbon emissions in building materials, and just plain ugliness.)

And actually, I believe if you add up total oil consumption throughout history, the US has used even more than 25 per cent.

gerv 

But isn't this a feature of densification? Last time I visited Chicago by car, it was very difficult to find a place to park. In Des Moines, every mall is surrounded by acres of parking spots. Do perhaps it is not a policy of discouraging car parking as much as needing the space.

I read somewhere that for each car inhabiting a city, the city needs as much as 4-5 parking spots for it, besides the owner's driveway.

folder fanatic

Actually I wish to add some more observations of American bike usage. It has been increasing over just a few years. Why is that? Not because of gas/petrol prices, not because of being green, or fit orientated. No, the reason is.....private vehicle ownership is now priced out of the range of most people. But as I go about my business here in a beautiful mostly fair stable weather part of America, I see the bikes still relegated to wherever they can squeeze into. This includes sidewalk riding exclusively and sometimes very fast riding, jammed "hugging" against & weaving around parked cars, taking up motorized vehicle space on streets (riding in the slow lane blocking faster moving traffic), riding against traffic, whatever. And making themselves more dangerous than motor vehicles in either hitting other cyclists, pedestrians, or even other motor vehicles or causing accidents and fleeing. It is really scary out there now around here.

I think it is really a lack of proper integration (socialized early & actually enforced laws) into proper cycling culture is the underlying problem of safe bike usage over here. The Netherlands have done so for many years. Most other Europeans are not far behind. Forget about most of North America.

High Roller

I've noticed this too.

Roody

This is confirmation for the theories of Hans Monderman.