Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

nytimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 61 posts

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#21

Post by gonzus »

bluetomcat wrote: post #5

In an alienated society where everyone lives in his own bubble, biking and not having a car is an easy proposition. No need to drive your sick parents to the hospital, no need to help a friend with moving the furniture, putting your child on the backseat of a bike on a rainy day is not frowned upon. Almost every aspect of social life is handled by a company in the private sector or by a public institution. The majori…

Since I cannot downvote this, I will reply... to say how much I disagree with your comment. One may prefer to bike even if one owns a car; one can help a friend with or without a car; one can dress one's kids appropriately for a bike ride, even in the cold / rain / snow; etc.

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#22

Post by fooblitzky »

bluetomcat wrote: post #5

In an alienated society where everyone lives in his own bubble, biking and not having a car is an easy proposition. No need to drive your sick parents to the hospital, no need to help a friend with moving the furniture, putting your child on the backseat of a bike on a rainy day is not frowned upon. Almost every aspect of social life is handled by a company in the private sector or by a public institution. The majori…

It's not all or nothing. There are still cars, they just don't have to be the default mode of transportation. For some circumstances cars can be useful tools, e.g. emergencies or rural living.

Having cities that require a car to participate in social life is hugely inefficient in terms of energy expenditure, public spending on infrastructure (e.g in the article the yearly expenditure on bike infrastructure is 500 million euros, that's probably about the cost of replacing one bridge made for cars), and also disproportionately impacts poor people, for whom car ownership can be a real financial burden.

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#23

Post by teekert »

freefal wrote: post #6

As someone who bikes to work most days and thinks cycling infrastructure like this is great, what do the people profiled in this article do when it rains?

A hoodie (not the sweater-type but a cover for the head attached to a rain-proof coat).

Also, clothes dry remarkably quick in a heated office. Many of my colleagues have rain suits, like these: [0]

[0] https://www.google.com/search?q=regenpak&client=firefox-b-d&...

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#24

Post by huseyinkeles »

freefal wrote: post #6

As someone who bikes to work most days and thinks cycling infrastructure like this is great, what do the people profiled in this article do when it rains?

I live in Amsterdam, I have my winter gear, water-proof shoes, pant cover etc.

I never stopped cycling to work during the winter, even if it was snowing :) my commute is only 8 minutes though.

I hate wind more than rain and snow tbh.

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#25

Post by hb0ss »

bluetomcat wrote: post #5

In an alienated society where everyone lives in his own bubble, biking and not having a car is an easy proposition. No need to drive your sick parents to the hospital, no need to help a friend with moving the furniture, putting your child on the backseat of a bike on a rainy day is not frowned upon. Almost every aspect of social life is handled by a company in the private sector or by a public institution. The majori…

Explain to me please why we, the Dutch, are an alienated society? We, just like most, still have to help our friends and family, move furniture and so on. Most families still own a car for this purpose, but a lot of the day to day activities can be done without a car. Saving the environment and your wallet.

Edit: spelling

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#26

Post by ht_th »

freefal wrote: post #6

As someone who bikes to work most days and thinks cycling infrastructure like this is great, what do the people profiled in this article do when it rains?

Two things: Either move your departure slightly, or, if that is not an option, use a rainsuit. These rainsuits are very good and easy enough to take with you. I always have one in my bicycle bags which are fastened on the rear rack of my bike.

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#27

Post by KingMachiavelli »

freefal wrote: post #6

As someone who bikes to work most days and thinks cycling infrastructure like this is great, what do the people profiled in this article do when it rains?

Rain? I'd be more worried about snow. Looking at climate data just on Wikipedia, the Netherlands gets about the same number of 'snowy' days as Denver and it gets more total precipitation. It's winter average temperatures are also a tad lower which really makes me wonder what they do when there is snow & ice on the streets. I'd certainly wouldn't want to be riding my bike in Denver today (the front range got >1ft of snow over the past few days).

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#28

Post by lumberjack »

freefal wrote: post #6

As someone who bikes to work most days and thinks cycling infrastructure like this is great, what do the people profiled in this article do when it rains?

You bike, just the same. Some people wear raincoats or waterproof clothing, but most will just go in their usual attire plus a hooded jacket.

Re: If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal (2017)

#30

Post by teekert »

KingMachiavelli wrote: post #27
freefal wrote: post #6

As someone who bikes to work most days and thinks cycling infrastructure like this is great, what do the people profiled in this article do when it rains?

Rain? I'd be more worried about snow. Looking at climate data just on Wikipedia, the Netherlands gets about the same number of 'snowy' days as Denver and it gets more total precipitation. It's winter average temperatures are also a tad lower which really makes me wonder what they do when there is snow & ice on the streets. I'd certainly wouldn't want to be riding my bike in Denver today (the front range got >1ft of s…

I think in the last 5 years I was bothered by snow about 2 times.
Post reply on HN