Will we ever have a system that comes close to the dutch system here in the UK?

[Manonabike]

I doubt it

 

[derrick]

In one word, NO

 

[XRHYSX]

I live in hope

 

[BigonaBianchi]

nah...most brits are just to lazy to even consider a bike as a mode of transport, the thought never enters their heads...

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I've been hoping the same (in vain) down here in Australia, but the motor vehicle rules here. Somehow our government doesn't understand that building more and wider roads simply encourages more motor traffic and makes the problems worse, not better.

 

[XRHYSX]

I've been hoping the same (in vain) down here in Australia, but the motor vehicle rules here. Somehow our government doesn't understand that building more and wider roads simply encourages more motor traffic and makes the problems worse, not better.

The old sayin' of "build it and they will come" unfortunately sounds like they're building more roads for cars and not bike infrastructure

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I wonder how much the cycling cultures of Denmark and the Netherlands are due to the fact that they have no major automobile manufacturers and hence a far smaller lobby. If this does have an effect, then perhaps we should look more to Germany for guidance. Just musing....

 

[Sandra6]

It's a nice dream, but it will never be a reality.
I watched a similar film the other day "how the dutch got their cycle lanes" or something. And the main difference is the history.
In the 50's they had more cyclists than cars - I don't think it was the same here, but I could be wrong.
When the car started to out number the cyclists they protested - they used the number of children dying on the roads as their starting point - they mobbed the streets on their bikes and painted their own cycle lanes and kept going back until they were heard and they became actual cycle lanes.
That would never happen over here -well, it clearly didn't.
When cars started taking off over here we accepted it - embraced it - and so the bike was pushed out.
It would be impossible to have a massive turn around this late in the day. Sadly.
Incidentally - the girl in the clip - that is exactly what I want to look like cycling around. Again, nice dream -but it's never going to happen.

 

[byegad]

Not in my, my children's or my grandchildren's lifetime. Britain is run by big business and big business can't make enough money out of cycling. Motoring does make them money.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

No, we prefer a system of footwear fashioned from materials such as leather, rubber, etc. and not clogs made of wood.

 

[Scoosh]

No, we prefer a system of footwear fashioned from materials such as leather, rubber, etc. and not clogs made of wood.

... which ... wait for it ... 'clog' up the roads ?


<coat, gets ...>

 

[aoj]

I doubt it

Sadly I doubt too.
I spent a week there last year with my wife who is not too keen on any kind of cycling in traffic. Just a cheap flight out, local trains and hired Dutch bikes while there. It just fantastic for cycling! Cars just give way for you every time. You do get 50cc mopeds allowed on the cycle lanes which they ride with no helmets. You also see bigger capacity mopeds, they wear helmets and I don't think they are meant to be on the cycle lanes, both pass safely though.
I think it helps that it's flat apart from "Dutch hills", a very windy day. You only need a 3 speed bike , no day-glo Lycra or helmet that I wear cycling in the UK, just normal clothes. You do see Lycra clad roadies who look out of place on the cycle paths and lanes. I liked it so much I'm going back for two weeks later this year.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Incidentally - the girl in the clip - that is exactly what I want to look like cycling around. Again, nice dream -but it's never going to happen

Ha ha, me too - although a more, ermm... mature version of her, but no can do, after tackling the first hill I'm reduced to ungracious disarray

 

[Manonabike]

I quite like to own one of those Dutch town bike too they look heavy and strong but at the same time very comfortable.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I quite like to own one of those Dutch town bike too they look heavy and strong but at the same time very comfortable.

Dunno, I tried an old Dutch style British bike (a Hercules) some weeks ago ... me no liked it, very uncomfy.
Maybe I should try a modern one,