Cycling Facilities in the Netherlands

[marooncat]

I know this will have been discussed to death in the past but I am just back from a few days in the Netherlands and I am in shock about how great their facilities are for bikes compaired to the rubbish we have over here. It has made me realise just how p1$$ poor things are in the uk.

We spent 2 nights in a town about 30 mins out of Amsterdam and the train station was surrounded by bike racks, they even had two tier racks - I could not work out how they got the bikes up on the top ones though ). Everywhere you looked and what seemed to be outside every building there were bike racks, both in this town and in Amsterdam itself.

Did not see one person wearing a bike helmet (just commenting on that not passing judgement). On the Friday night we went to a local football game and drank in the social club afterwards for a bit and when we left all the locals were getting on thier bikes to cycle home, definetly worse for wear!!

 

[very-near]

I know this will have been discussed to death in the past but I am just back from a few days in the Netherlands and I am in shock about how great their facilities are for bikes compaired to the rubbish we have over here. It has made me realise just how p1$$ poor things are in the uk.

We spent 2 nights in a town about 30 mins out of Amsterdam and the train station was surrounded by bike racks, they even had two tier racks - I could not work out how they got the bikes up on the top ones though ). Everywhere you looked and what seemed to be outside every building there were bike racks, both in this town and in Amsterdam itself.

Did not see one person wearing a bike helmet (just commenting on that not passing judgement). On the Friday night we went to a local football game and drank in the social club afterwards for a bit and when we left all the locals were getting on thier bikes to cycle home, definetly worse for wear!!

Am planning a short jollie to Amsterdam next month and hoping to get some bikes when out there. My missus is not very keen on cycling though, so it may be shanks's pony

 

[Haitch]

The football's a bit better as well!

 

[Piemaster]

Am planning a short jollie to Amsterdam next month and hoping to get some bikes when out there. My missus is not very keen on cycling though, so it may be shanks's pony

Was there last year. If I remember correctly there is a cycle hire place near the station. Area is complete chaos buses, trams, bikes, people (and boats!) everywhere BUT can't say I noticed any conflict between them. Wish it was like that here - everyone just muddling along.

 

[HLaB]

This is apparently in the Netherlands

 

[MickL]

Germany is the same, Large parking areas for bikes round stations.

 

[Arch]

This is apparently in the Netherlands

And I seem to remember hearing that it was a joke, not real...

 

[Haitch]

And I seem to remember hearing that it was a joke, not real...

If you follow the URL for the photo you come to a Google map that has no canals on it. I've been through Volendam several times and have never seen a canal there. What's more, the cars are facing the wrong way and are parked on the wrong side of the road for Holland. What's more twice, the bike lane is on the wrong side of the road. And what's more thrice, no council in Holland would be that thick.

 

[snorri]

It has made me realise just how p1$$ poor things are in the uk.

When snorri takes over running the country, everybody who has anything to do with transport in the UK will be sent to The Netherlands without a car
for a month and not allowed home at the weekends, as part of the training.

 

[marooncat]

The football's a bit better as well!

Ok I will give you that... but you could say we are just totally and utterly hopeless

One thing I did notice was a lack of Bike Shops, OK, I did not expect to see one in the middle of Amsterdam but I did not see any in Haarlem which is where we were for most of the time.

 

[Haitch]

One thing I did notice was a lack of Bike Shops, OK, I did not expect to see one in the middle of Amsterdam but I did not see any in Haarlem which is where we were for most of the time.

The Haarlem business guide lists 57 bike shops in the town.

 

[just4fun]

I have to totally agree with you MaroonCat, the cycle facilities as top notch in the cities, but it really struck me when in the middle of nowehere the cyclepath we were using was this beautiful stone mosaic that must of taken years to build. If it was the UK a) there wouldnt be a cyclepath and if there was it would be a sorry excuse for one!

As for Snorri, you get my vote, i work in transport and would love a month off to cycle round holland!

 

[mattybain]

As for Snorri, you get my vote, i work in transport and would love a month off to cycle round holland!

Well having just spent 2 weeks working Rotterdam I for one wouldn't like to commute over there.

• There are way to many bikes to be able to maintain any speed, it would be a nightmare, people filtering in and out everywhere
• Many riders are riding bikes which are mechnically worse for wear.
• The bike lanes are very narrow and you get people cycling in both directions + motorbikes and scooters are allowed in them.
• People ride with umbrellas which to me is not only stupid but very dangerous.
• Plus it is also very very windy!!

What I would like is for drivers int he UK to be as bike aware and corteous as the Dutch and also for our roads to be as smooth as theres.

 

[Piemaster]

Too many bikes? Never thought I'd see that posted on a cycling forum.

Can I change your post to the UK version (very much tongue in cheek):

Well having just spent 2 weeks working Rotterdam I for one wouldn't like to commute over there.

• There are way to many cars to be able to maintain any speed, it would be a nightmare, people filtering in and out everywhere
• Many drivers are driving cars which are mechnically worse for wear.
• The lanes are very narrow and you get people driving in both directions + motorbikes and scooters are allowed in them.
• People drive with mobile phones which to me is not only stupid but very dangerous.
• Plus it is also very very windy!! Err..got me on that one

What I would like is for drivers int he UK to be as bike aware and corteous as the Dutch and also for our roads to be as smooth as theres.

Totally with you on the last bit.

 

[skwerl]

Well having just spent 2 weeks working Rotterdam I for one wouldn't like to commute over there.

• There are way to many bikes to be able to maintain any speed, it would be a nightmare, people filtering in and out everywhere
• Many riders are riding bikes which are mechnically worse for wear.
• The bike lanes are very narrow and you get people cycling in both directions + motorbikes and scooters are allowed in them.
• People ride with umbrellas which to me is not only stupid but very dangerous.
• Plus it is also very very windy!!

What I would like is for drivers int he UK to be as bike aware and corteous as the Dutch and also for our roads to be as smooth as theres.

my view is that this all has nothing to do with facilities and everything to do with society in Holland. The Dutch have a much more socialist, community-centric mindset than the British. Retrain our population (Room 101 style) and you might get somewhere

BTW - post refers to the thread in general, not specifically to the post above