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20th May, 2008 - Trip to cycling paradise

A cyclist's Paradise

Cycling in Holland is an experience that is unique in the world. Here a cyclist is treated with respect and in Holland the cyclist has more rights on the road than a car driver. Yes that's right, the bike rules in Holland. To get an appreciation of what the Dutch do that makes Holland a cyclists paradise, AJ and I went on trip to Holland for training at Gazelle and a trip by bike around the "Ijsselmeer". We compiled some photos and stories that may help you appreciate Dutch bike culture.


Let's begin the trip

Here is map showing he route we undertook in May 2008. Gazelle kindly lent us two bikes from their factory in Dieren. Dieren is at the bottom right of the green circle. We set off clockwise around the map.

Map of Holland

Cycling infrastructure

One of the first things you notice when you cycle in Holland is the excellent level of cycling infrastructure. Off street paths go almost everywhere, paths are lighted, cars stop when you cross roads.

Gazelle factory in Dieren Off road lighted paths make cycling safe and enjoyable at all times of the day. These bins were scattered around the place and let you throw your rubbish in. A new meaning to the saying, 'throw your rubbish away!' Bike parking posts are everywhere in the villages and cities. This is so important to encourage cycling and be able to lock your bike up. Signposts are everywhere and make you feel like cycling is high on the list of priorities. Green sign - Scenic route. Red sign - Direct route. If there was a cycling heaven it would look something like this. Getting close to Amsterdam, the bike paths are serene. When you have to cycle on the road the paths are wide and clear. Because just about everybody cycles in Holland, the drivers are extra careful when parking and opening car doors as they know what cyclists have to face! This is something that I was in awe of. Underneath the bigger train stations you would find a huge underground 'bikepark' with service centers that service and sell bikes and accessories and space for literally 1000's of bikes to store and lock. You would ride to the station to go to work, drop the bike off at the service center, ask the mechanic to tighten the spokes and when you get back at the end of the day, pick the bike up and ride on home! Genius! Notice the ramps up the steps which was common all over Holland. This starts to show you how much thought the Dutch have put into integrating cycling into everyday life and gives some clues as to what we can can do to help promote cycling in Australia. When they build tunnels for cars they don't discriminate. They build another tunnel next to it just for bikes! This one near Rotterdam even had bike lifts at the end of each straight so you could get back to ground level in style! This was all too much me! Bike traffic jam near Amsterdam, more pleasant than in a car...and less smelly! I could actually hear the birds! Does it get more Dutch than this? Bikes and tulips!

Transport integrated

The Dutch still use cars but the difference is that they use the car less often. For example, if you live outside the city but work in the city, you ride your bike to the train station, lock it up and catch a train to the city. This is very normal in Holland.

Make it easy, convenient and quick to ride to the train station and lot's of people will do it. That's exactly what the Dutch have done. In the cities, out the front of a supermarket you won't find huge car parks, they aren't allowed, but you will find 100's of bike parks...ah yes..there is a country that gets it! Another train station where the platform is right next to the bike parks. There was a news item recently from Holland that said that the bike park stations that were set up by the Dutch Rail Organisation are always filling up and that the system is constantly expanding. It proves the adage, 'Build it and they will come' This photo was at a station that was next to a small village 10km away from Rotterdam. Every train station looks like this.

Scenic spots along the way

Cycling around Holland is a real joy. Here are some photos we like.

Bird houses in the trees make a home for the locals and add some colour. 30km ride on the Ijsselmeer Dyke was a memorable experience. Kite surfing is big in Holland...lucky this day we had the wind on our backs! Centrepiece in a town called Sneek (pronounced Snake). This area of Holland is very beautiful with old villages and rustic bars and cafes. The town of Sneek Tulips and a Gazelle. I know it's corny, but when you see a field of tulips like this you stop and take photos! The colours are almost too much for the eye. Cycling path in the country side up north. Local art in Sneek. Nice lighting in Sneek.

Amsterdam

The Netherlands leads the way in city cycling. Here are some photos of Amsterdam.

Canal scene, oh how I wished I had one when I was there. Street scene, and not a car in sight...ah the peace! Where's Mum? 'Bakfiets' or 'Boxbikes' as they are known are very popular in the cities. A bike park station near central train station in Amsterdam. This one holds 4000 bikes...they are about to expand to 10,000. Even then it will fill up no doubt. Check out the style of the bikes. Hardly any mountain or racer bikes, all city roadsters, the king of the city bikes! Use a good lock for your bike....oh yeah and put it around your frame too! Local bike shops told me they don't sell anything under 8mm hardened steel chains for locks. 10mm is good. Anything less than this and your bike is as good as gone. Off to work on the cargo bike. Check the Dutch clogs! Drop the kids at school in the Bakfiets. Women cycle as much as men in Holland. Note the high heals and no lycra! Check the long wheel base bike! Enough for 2 kids on the back...ha ha! Back from Bunnings Lifts are common on the back of a bike. There is nothing quite like sharing a lift with your friend...on a bike!

Training

We spent a few days training at Gazelle. The Dutch really love their bikes. After this, we made our way back to Australia with a new perspective on cycling. Over the coming decades, Australia will likely see bikes play a bigger role in everyday life. Thanks for taking the time to read this article.

Gazelle bikes are nice to work on. The attention to detail is unlike most bikes sold these days. Gazelle employs a full time mechanic to teach dealers about the bikes. You can even do a 3-Year certificate in house as a master mechanic. Everyday this workshop is booked out with dealer training. We also import Basil bags. The Basil bags worked great on our trip and make a great range of bags and baskets.
 
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