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Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

bbc.com

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Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#241

Post by belorn »

gutnor wrote: post #235
cdnsteve wrote: post #84

Just came back from a week in Netherlands and stayed in Amsterdam. What a cool place to hang out and take in the sights. Cycling there is huge indeed. The big difference I noticed from Canada was the dedicated infrastructure they have in place. Dedicated cycling lanes everywhere, it's a proper form of transportation. As a tourist, this was weird, I nearly got mowed down a few times but because I was in the wrong and…

> As a tourist, this was weird, I nearly got mowed down a few times but because I was in the wrong and not paying attention. You quickly adapt and realized bike lanes are just as important to watch out for as vehicle lanes. You can also get mowed down in pedestrian area, on the pavement by impatient cyclist that don't like traffic jams and custom courtesy like stopping to let you cross a zebra crossing is non-existen…

This fear of cyclist seems very odd from my point of view since I often see strollers on bike lanes with parents that have no problem that bikes has to stop and go around them. I occasionally also see people in wheel chairs using the bike lane.

The fear would make sense if all that caused yearly deaths by cycling crashing into toddlers and people, but its is surprisingly rare. I have yet to hear about a single case here in Sweden, and we are almost as happy to use bikes as those in the Netherlands. The only thing that explains it is that the statistical risk of taking a stroller and walking against bike traffic seems similar to being in the park in a lane where joggers are running. The speed that people bike in a city is so low that they can react and slow down, similar to a jogger who is running. In contrast, cars driving on the road is going much faster and as such, it is significant more likely to be hit by a car than a bike. I would take a guess and say that it is even true in the Netherlands.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#242

Post by Radle »

Thanks for asking BBC.

Here are some answers: -The Netherlands are flat. -Bikes only use renewable energy. -Riding a bike is healthy. -There is a lot of supporting infrastructure. -Car drivers are well trained, so that they don't impose as much of a risk as car drivers in other countries. -In stark contrast to other countries especially but not limited to the United States. In the Netherlands everything is reachable by bike. For example but not limited to: Workplace, school, kindergarten, grocery shop, shopping district, cinema.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#243

Post by Radle »

Thanks for asking BBC.

Here are some answers: -The Netherlands are flat. -Bikes only use renewable energy. -Riding a bike is healthy. -There is a lot of supporting infrastructure. -Car drivers are well trained, so that they don't impose as much of a risk as car drivers in other countries. -In stark contrast to other countries especially but not limited to the United States. In the Netherlands everything is reachable by bike. For example but not limited to: Workplace, school, kindergarten, grocery shop, shopping district, cinema.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#244

Post by pikzen »

nisse72 wrote: post #141
jlg23 wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Is it typical for a 13mm+ Ulock in Amsterdam to get broken? Yes. One thing that still works is to get two different high-end locks and to always use both. Most thieves specialize in one lock only. But I'd still not leave a decent bike outside over night.

I would imagine that an angle grinder works equally well with all locks regardless of brand.

Because clearly, when stealing a bike, you want the entire neighborhood hear you for ten minutes, emitting sparks everywhere, while you had to bring an angle grinder.

You're supposed to be somewhat discreet when doing that, not warning everyone.

Most people's locks can be cut with a strong set of shears. The other ones are usually not worth spending your time on unless it's everything there is. In which case, like @jacquesm said, freezing temperatures are an excellent solution. More of a middle of the night thing though. Shears work 24/7.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#245

Post by Buetol »

I just want to add that the Netherlands can afford those nice infrastructures in part because it's a tax heaven since the 70s [1]

Also, please make the bay bridge have a bike path...personally I would just ban all the cars during the day but to each his solution.

[1]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_tax_in_the_Netherl...

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#246

Post by wott »

giobox wrote: post #94
lucb1e wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> essential accessories - clothing, panniers, lights, helmets, locks, new tires and tubes, CO2 cartridges, chains, cassettes, lubricant, wheels (eventually), brake pads/disks. Mine came with a lock and lights. Tires last 10 years and aren't that expensive. Pumping tires has to happen a few times a year, come on. Never replaced a chain before the rest of the bike was due for replacement anyway. Never heard of anyone r…

You've edited my post rather substantially to suit your own end in your "quote" - at no point does my original post describe that entire list as essential - I merely gave examples of the kind of things that _can_ need maintenance. > Tires last 10 years and aren't that expensive > New brake pads aren't expensive and they last years Ride 20 miles a day and lifespans like these are nigh on impossible. Especially if you…

> Cassette lifespan is entirely dependent on maintenance, but if you abuse your bike you will find the derailleur starts 'jumping' on shifts after 400-600 miles or so. For me, this is every 3 or 4 months.

Uh? What? :-)

I've done 10.000 km with my current cassette and chain, and it is still working OK. One gear starts sliding a bit when I put too much power, so I might check the chain one day, or maybe next year. I have a spare cassette sitting somewhere (it's been sitting there for a couple of years already), but I cannot be bothered to change it yet.

That's 10 to 15 times your numbers. According to them, I should have had troubles with my cassette after a 3-day trip with 200 km per day :-)

And compared to many people, I am not very cautious with my bike.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#247

Post by shmerl »

chadgeidel wrote: post #230
shmerl wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not anymore though. Today cities are trying to push back.

I wish that were true here in the Denver area. Unfortunately we have to deal with stuff like this: http://denver.streetsblog.org/2017/06/08/greenwood-village-v... And this: http://denver.streetsblog.org/2017/06/05/broadway-redo-sidew...

That's just stupid. Looks like these people are paid by car makers.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#248

Post by flukus »

nikanj wrote: post #240
dankohn1 wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can anyone explain why police don't do a huge crackdown on bike theft in Amsterdam? I heard repeatedly when I was there about how bad the theft is. Is there something stopping cops from putting out a dozen fancy bikes without locks every day and arresting everyone who grabs one and rides off? Is the legality of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrapment different in the Netherlands? Because it seems like a relatively s…

What would you do with the bike thieves you catch? Fines mean nothing to the career petty criminals, and jailing people for petty theft leads to hopeless US style mass incarceration.

There is plenty of middle ground, from community service to light jail time, maybe even rehab for some of them.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#249

Post by keville »

giobox wrote: post #94
lucb1e wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> essential accessories - clothing, panniers, lights, helmets, locks, new tires and tubes, CO2 cartridges, chains, cassettes, lubricant, wheels (eventually), brake pads/disks. Mine came with a lock and lights. Tires last 10 years and aren't that expensive. Pumping tires has to happen a few times a year, come on. Never replaced a chain before the rest of the bike was due for replacement anyway. Never heard of anyone r…

You've edited my post rather substantially to suit your own end in your "quote" - at no point does my original post describe that entire list as essential - I merely gave examples of the kind of things that _can_ need maintenance. > Tires last 10 years and aren't that expensive > New brake pads aren't expensive and they last years Ride 20 miles a day and lifespans like these are nigh on impossible. Especially if you…

You should be getting 10x that mileage out of a cassette - replacement after less than a thousand miles sounds awfully unusual.

Re: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

#250

Post by cakedoggie »

mercer wrote: post #122
stingraycharles wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. Another point is that even when you lock your bike, thiefs often carry the bike in its entirety or just screw off one of the wheels. Just don't buy a new bike when you're frequently in a hot spot.

Locking just a wheel is a rookie mistake, of course! Always wrap it around the frame and something that is solidly rooted in the ground. It's just that even all that isn't always good enough if the homeless guy or professional bike thief has a power-cutter thingy.

Also use 2 different locks, like dLock and a cable lock.
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