What is wrong with this commuter? Or possibly with us?

Welcome to Europe. I have very rarely seen any commuter in Europe wearing protective gear, they ride in their usual street clothes. In Amsterdam you see women riding in dresses all the time. It is the norm. If you go over and wear a helmet people look at you funny. We are obsessed with "safety" primarily because we have let lawyers and the government dictate our actions. The people commuting there aren't riding fast generally and are riding upright mosedl similar to what is in the picture, sans front basket.

Here, I do wear a helmet. The places I ride have no bike lanes and the people around me are not as bike friendly as they are in most European countries.

I agree. From what I gather, we're crazy for getting all 'kitted up' to ride. It's amazing that cycling clothing is a multi-million dollar industry here.

Is it that she's not smoking on the bike?

Incidentally, the site that picture is from is well worth a look:

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

phughes, it varies by region. In Amsterdam and Copenhagen (where nearly half the population bike commutes), most people wear normal clothes (without helmet), and ride heavy steel bikes. In France and Switzerland, more than half the commuters I see wear helmets, and some are in full kit with carbon bikes.

I don't know, looks like she could use a cheeseburger or twelve and should get off the phone. What's the big deal?

The photographer didn't highlight her shoes. Looks like flip flops to me.

It's that the picture was taken in a country I don't live in.

I would've preferred this picture:



The only thing wrong with this picture, is that those kids aren't mine!

I loved seeing all the pictures on that site... makes me want to "dutch-ize" our town (central eating areas w/al fresco cafes and bike lanes/community) Ahhh

I'm torn on the whole helmet thing and it seems like it's comparing apples to oranges in the way that Copenhagen and Amsterdam have had their cities designed with the bicycle as central and the auto as secondary. In that, roads are narrower, speed limits are slower, autos are banned from certain streets, dedicated bike paths, dedicated signals/signage and the list goes on. If I were bicycling on a bike path here (where the majority of traffic consisted of other cyclists, walkers, runners), I would not wear a helmet. I also wonder about their litigation mentality. Here in the US, it seems rampant.

As for wearing dresses/skirts, I do. I wear my bike shorts under. It's not anymore difficult to ride than with straight bike shorts. I'll even wear my bike tights under skirts, too. I like the look and don't feel as self-conscious.

The kid up front is holding on to the handlebars. Other than that I would have to agree with slim.

Aside from talking whist riding, I see nothing out of the ordinary with it. I see things like this every day.

The front end of the saddle doesn't help this picture.

I didn't notice that. At least we hope it's the saddle nose.

Well, this is Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam. Literally a stone's throw from the Red Light District...

Ok...Then that's one more thing wrong with this picture!

Their major cities, built before cars, rebuilt the same after 2 Wars.
US & Canada OTOH , seem to have been rebuilt For cars.

and Sub-Urban sprawl ..

my opinion: the US (speaking generally) is NOT bike friendly versus Europe. When I was over there for a month, I visited many places and was amazed on how many less cars there were and how bikers and walkers were respected.

Maybe there is nothing wrong with either that commuter, or with us.

Look, I see these comparisons all the time. There is a lot we can learn from the Dutch and the Danes, but the U.S. is a different place with different terrain, different climates, and different population densities. What works well there may never be a practical solution for most of the U.S.

I'd personally *HATE* a bike like that for my commute. I'd feel like I was pedaling a wheel barrow. I like that I can safely travel several times faster than what is probably her typical speed. I like that I end up all sweaty when I get to work. I like that I can easily hang my bike up out of the way when I get home.

Now, having said that, I see people wearing regular clothes and traveling at more moderate speeds all the time. And yes I see people with cell phones (for better or worse). Bikes like hers I don't see but it's not uncommon for me to encounter kids or even dogs in trailers. They (the trailers, not the dogs) are often enclosed which may be preferable anyway.

The pavement is dry and there's a scary light coming from the sky. I'd probably stay inside.

I liked this photo in the comment section:



The lady in front is former Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. The little girl on the back is her daughter, the current Queen Beatrix (now aged 73).

Oh. More royalty in the comments:



Current Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his two daughters on the right, together with his wife Maxima.

How far do you think she's going? My impression from visiting Germany was that bicycling wasn't so much a substitute for driving as it was a substitute for walking.

U.S. cities could actually adapt to the European model somewhat easily. U.S. suburbs, on the other hand, need something different. I'm not going to ride a 50 pound bike 10 miles to work in my street clothes and arrive on time with clean clothes.

Perfectly find to me. Thats how they ride. If that was the US the only thing wrong is the Cell phone, or roads are not safe for that, I don't believe cell phones should be used on any mode of transportation. I can't wait till this is more common across the US. Children hauling bikes are pretty common in Eugene and Portland already, weather its a Xtracycle, or Box Bike, or standard bike with a number of different children seats on them.

Thanks for the comments. I think the whole linked page is outstanding. I would like to see helmets, but they certainly seem fine with everything.

I wish this would happen more in America. Of course, we like out air conditioned cars in the summer. I can't imagine bike commuting when its over 100.

The cell phone is a little annoying, how are you supposed hold your cig?