Amsterdamize : 100% Lycra-Free, Guaranteed - Latest Comments

Re: A Dutch Wedding Chariot

Domain register — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:31:41 -0000

Very Different marriage i like it Thanks to sharing

Re: Unfazed And Nonplussed

Dara Colwell — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:44:29 -0000

I enjoyed reading this post as BikeSnobNYC has a penchant for words, even if he rubs certain folks the wrong way back home, which is a good thing. New Yorkers like being stirred up, which hopefully galvanizes the slower masses in the adjoining states.

I now live in Amsterdam but used to live in NYC, where I cycled everywhere and heard numerous excuses about how it couldn't be done (from average, non-cycling Joes). It was too cold/hot/rainy/whatever weather condition, the streets weren't safe, there weren't enough bike paths, too many potholes, it took too long to get from A to B, you couldn't arrive at work covered in sweat, etc... Like the Portland locals he mentions above, people always find a reason not to cycle, and most of their reasons are absurd.

Of course NYC is larger than Amsterdam, but I love that here, people just get on their bikes with no bitching. If it rains, it rains, if it snows, it snows. It's still cheap, fast, convenient and do-able, which makes cycling a logical activity. I think that logic could be universal, no translation needed, but it's obviously not that straight-forward yet.

Re: Unfazed And Nonplussed

Paul Simms — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:59:30 -0000

Brilliant blog Marc,

And as a UK cyclist who has ridden all the way around the Netherlands (1200km) I can wholeheartedly say I enjoyed every single pedal stroke of the journey - right up until the moment I rolled off the ferry on the way home. We have a beautiful country in the UK, which is aching to be released from the choking grasp of the motor industry.

The Netherlands have shown that if you provide the people with the infrastructure they will ride. In the UK, faceless bureaucrats think splashing a bit of paint in the gutter and calling it a 'Cycle Path' will do.

Thanks to my trips to the Netherlands I know this will not do, and feel almost trapped in the island prison, with a 'blind' motoring public, and a short-sighted couldn't-give-a-toss government.

Time to move I think, because I won't see much change in my lifetime.

Best regards,

Paul Simms

Re: Birthday Girl

Best Hosting — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:01:02 -0000

Awesome stills with the birthday girl. I hope this birthday you have enjoyed alot. Thanks

Re: Unfazed And Nonplussed

Basil Yokarinis — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:03:46 -0000

I love the pictures!

I've been bicycle touring, running bicycle tours and just plain existing in various parts of Mexico for most of the last 14 years. It's interesting to me to see a bipolar bicycle culture here, where half of Mexican cyclists are the lycra-clad weekend worrier types riding bikes that cost more than the average Mexican will earn in a year, while the other half ride old heavy single speeds from China because that's the only way they can afford to get around.

The really sad part is that while the lycra-clad crowd is very slowly growing, the other half is shrinking at breakneck speed. About 3 or 4 years ago, if you were in Izamal, Yucatan (for example) in the evening, you'd see dozens upon dozens of people promenading around on their trusty heavy steel steeds, sometimes with the entire family also on board. Today, those bicycles have been replaced by cheap motorbikes and motorscooters, and the owners wiz about, a little fatter, with a dark cloud of debt over their heads.

I would love to make a bunch of posters of "chic" cyclists like those in the pictures above and stick them up all over town, just to get the locals thinking about how cool cycling really is... and to show them that those white skinned "millionaires" from Europe actually USE real and practical bicycles, just like they used to.

Re: Unfazed And Nonplussed

Matt Fron — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:59:15 -0000

what do you think the word nonplussed means?

Re: BikePlanet Is Our Oyster

Bellespedalsandchains — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:07:44 -0000

http://www.abc.net.au/news/201...

We have a long way to go in Australia!! Help!!

Re: Bicycle Cultures Are Man-Made

Valle — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:13:03 -0000

I agree that simple equipment is necessary in bicycle culture. However, what should be viewed as simple is decided by local conditions. Light weight bikes with proper gearing for a non-flat landscape is not really complicated. If you live in a winter climate (I am from Sweden) then winter tires is already part of the car culture. The extension into bicycle culture is not that strange.
Actually, if we compare to car culture, I beleive that all equipment that is hookked up to the bike is non-issue. Gears, lighting, etc. Anything that stays on he bike is simple. Instead, it is the personalized gear that complicates cycling; helmets, special clothing, shoes, etc.
Even better, compare with city cultures where mopeds and motor bikes are common, and there you go.

...and yes, nothing threatens cycling culture spreading, more that helmet wawing middle aged men on sports bikes commuting to work in training style.

Re: A Happy New Year

Sarah Smith — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:03:26 -0000

Wow this is truly remarkable! You’re AWESOME at achieving this stuff. Thank You sooooo much!!!!!!!

Re: Bicycle Cultures Are Man-Made

ChrisB — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:11:56 -0000

But I think that the "simple" gear is exactly the point - the conditions for cycling in the Netherlands mean low barriers to entry. It's easy to buy a bike, jump on and ride where you need to go. If entry to bike culture requires buying a more expensive, multi-geared bike, a helmet (don't get me started on compulsory helmet laws!), additional clothing (that you'll need to change out of at each end of the journey), then you've already made cycling much less appealing.

China is an example that I thought was curiously absent from the original article, but again, you're talking about a very different socio-economic environment, with very different motivations to use a bike... though the electronic bike phenomenon is interesting, and something I hadn't heard about before - thanks for the interesting link! Perhaps a more appealing option in cities like those in Australia (though it would still require some adjustment in motorists attitudes, road infrastructure etc.)

Re: Bicycle Cultures Are Man-Made

ChrisB — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:03:38 -0000

"Cultures are man-made, but not every politician is man enough to want to admit it, I personally think."

I agree with this... to a point. My argument is that cultures also have to develop around existing environmental (and other cultural) restrictions. The bakfiets is a good example of how the bike culture developed around an existing impediment in the Netherlands, but obviously the issues in other areas are different, and some are more easily overcome than others. In my Australian example, the three most problematic issues actually work to reinforce each other (hilly landscape, hot climate, low-density city planning) in making cycling an unappealing mode of daily transport. Two of those factors are unchangeable; the third is the result of many years' investment (which is not reversible, but certainly politically difficult).

Anyway, enough of my negativity! ;)

Re: Bicycle Cultures Are Man-Made

Ms. OrangeBike — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:09:43 -0000

I can remember a time when Amsterdam had its discussions over whether the cars should be hindered to get everywhere in the fastest time (or whether the bikes should get more room). The same arguments were flying: people wouldn't be able to get around, business would suffer.
distinaces.
The politicians made the bike-friendly roads and banned cars from several streets.
And lo! A new kind of cargo bike (Bakfiets) developed, which went on to be a hit with high-earners, who could stay in town center after they had their babies. Which was nice: short distinces to work, restaurants and shops stayed, no need to move to the suburbs (and house prices reflect this btw).
So what was first: the total bike culture, or the decision within politics?
Cultures are man-made, but not every politician is man enough to want to admit it, I personally think.

Re: Unfazed And Nonplussed

Ms. OrangeBike — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:57:35 -0000

the thing is that people in Amsterdam don't think it's anything special. Biking is just normal to get from A to B.
It's when I went to London on abusiness trip I was completely fazed and plussed: only lycra bikers in hi-vis stuff. Where could I get on a bike with my work shoes (pumps), feeling safe driving on the other side of the road? You guessed: I took the subway. But I understand Londoners wish for biking options now, in the rush hour the capacity of the subway is way not enough.
Now I'm back home I can pedal home, and feel completely relaxt and all cobwebs whisked out of my head when I open the door. Joepie!

Re: Stereotypes

I feel that, now bikes are famous everywhere not a cycle but cycle is healthy. Daily we are wasting half an hour for exercising. For cycling people, this half an hour is not necessary.

Re: Cycling For Everyone – An Exposé

Madrilicious — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:15:15 -0000

Great pictures, I really miss going with the bike here in Madrid. In Holland it is so much easier ;) http://madrilicious.com/

Re: A Dutch Wedding Chariot

Wow... Is it a new marriage fashion? Great man. Keep it up.

Re: Bicycle Cultures Are Man-Made

anakelly71 — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:46:40 -0000

Impressive input! Whatever you shared seems to me very appreciative. Thanks for sharing such a interesting thing. What you wrote here about Bicycle Cultures I like it.

Re: Celebrating People On Bikes: Volume I & II

Peraphan Jittrapirom — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:57:27 -0000

Fantastic post. Hello from Chiang Mai, Thailand!

Re: Commuter Jeans?

Peter — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:22:52 -0000

Dave, I also feel the same way but rather than punch him in the face would punch him on the side of the jaw. This would give him an instant concussion due to skull rotation and might help get across the message that none of the helmets are tested for tendency to induce rotation, the primary cause of brain injury.

Re: Bicycle Cultures Are Man-Made

Valle — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:55:36 -0000

Chris.

It is possible. Yes, the dutch cycling community benefits from a relative flat landscape, bike friendly climate and (I take your word on it) short commute distances. However, from a bicycle perspective one could argue that this is manifested more in "simple" gear (classical, heavy bikes, no lycra outfit, etc) than through the number of cyclists. That is, hills can easily be handled with lighter, more modern bikes and for the week even e-bikes. Longer commutes requires equipment that will give a higher mean speed. Warm climate requires locker room/shower at workplaces.

Ever heard of China? More than hundred million e-bikes on the streets... Imagine how many ordinary bikes there are...http://www.time.com/time/world/articl...

Take care.

Re: BikePlanet Is Our Oyster

Nicholas Dow — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:14:25 -0000

If you are one of Amsterdamize's Melbourne fans, check out http://www.bikefun.org for details of rides you can join.

Re: BikePlanet Is Our Oyster

Martin Miller — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:32:42 -0000

The summer here has been an interesting one so you may be leaving a wet and windy Amsterdam for a wet and windy Melbourne.
http://video.heraldsun.com.au/...

Re: The Bicycle Video Of The Year: Burn Cycle

Kevin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:35:52 -0000

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Re: Bicycle Cultures Are Man-Made

Chris — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:54:33 -0000

Look, I wish what you say here was true, but to write off the following as "myths" rather than real conditions is just silly:

- the Dutch cycle so much because the city/country is ﬂat as a pancake;

- itʼs a small country, everything is close by;

- the Netherlands have a moderate climate;

I'm an Australian who's lived in Amsterdam for the past five years, and I LOVE the bicycle culture - I love not having to buy/maintain a car, I love getting everywhere quickly and easily, I love getting exercise... but the three points above cut absolutely to the reason why such a culture is almost unimaginable in a city like Brisbane or Sydney. Would a similar bike culture really be possible in a city where many of the streets have gradients of up to 15 degrees? Where the suburbs are up to 50km from the central business district? Where even a 20-minute ride to work would require you to shower off the sweat when you arrive at the office?

I'm not even talking about the lack of infrastructure like bike lanes - I agree that if that is all that's missing, then some pro-active government assistance would be a major step forward. And I realise that the the almighty automobile is very much responsible for the kind of dispersed cities that have sprung up in Australia and the US, but that toothpaste is not going to go back in the tube - moves toward greater urban density are going to take decades to take effect (and would require a significant sea-change of public opinion in any case!).

Anyway, lovely sentiment, uncertain how you see it playing out in the real world (but would love to hear your response), and I, for one, am happy to be able to enjoy the Dutch bicycle culture!

Re: Unfazed And Nonplussed

Sarah — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:52:36 -0000

Dottie, I would have never noticed, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT! So cute. Never thought to bike with it, but now that you mention it (and it clearly looks cute on one!)...