Anyone for moving to the Netherlands?

[Trekhawk]

Ok so things are pretty quiet in my house now the oldest boys are back at school and the youngest has started Preschool. So what does one do when the house seems quiet and empty - well first you go for a ride and then of course you start reading your six year old's copy of Book of World Records 2005 and this is why we need to go to the Netherlands.

Country with the most bicycles per capita - The netherlands.

With an estimated 16.7 million bicycles in the country, the Netherlands has more bicycles per capita than any other nation. It averages to more than one bike for every person in the country.

Other useful trivial pursuit knowledge

Country with the most cars - USA

Country that eats the most meat - USA

Country that eats the most ice cream - Australia (see I told my mum it was a food group)

Country that eats the most chips (crisps for you poms) United Kingdom. :D

[CorsairMac]

Nah - I'm thinking Australia!! especially if they leave the cream in their milk like the UK!!! Yummmmyyyyy

[MightyMitre]

I went to Amsterdam once and the number of bikes is quite incredible. Everywhere in the city there's just piles of them parked up along the roadside. As far as I can tell people don't bother to lock them up with heavey duty locks and the traffic is totally used to having to look out for smaller, fast moving cyclists.

There's also loads in Belgium. Most of the roads have cycle paths and when I was over there last spring, hubby & I were just taking a walk when the local high school ended for the day. The number of kids riding bikes was just staggering. It was the norm, THE standard mode of transport and the accepted way to get from A to B.

Ok - so a lot of the region is flat, but just watch the Tour of Flanders and you'll see there's some short, sharp hills around. Here in the UK one of the most often used excuse for not cycling is that us Brits don't have the weather for it. Well, anyone ever been to Belgium in April or November! With the strong wind blowing in from the North Sea the weather in the Netherlands is no better than in the UK, (sometimes worse,) yet it doesn't seem to put people off. I guess those Netherlanders are tough breed - Ask Eddie Mercx!!

Ice cream and crips - aaaahhhhh. :) Two of my fave's.
Better get on my bike and try and burn some of those calories off. ;)

[PinkRacer]

I love it there! I even spent a year at the U of Amsterdam! My aunt lives in Monnikendamm Northern part. My friend who I meet years ago (16) while on one of many visit rode our bikes to France for a bike/camping trip.

I also went to school in Germany about 4 hours from the dutch boarder, and we used to ride our bikes over there to a really cool water park.

I actually won an award for a photo I took of my friends all lined up with thier bikes... looking out over the river.

I'm taking my BF there this fall to meet my favorite aunt and we are going to go on several day bike trips while there...

Its so fun seeing old ladies all dressed up riding their bike along wither dress shoes and a huge bunch of flowers....

EVERYONE there cycles...

[greenchick]

Lessee... some of the coolest (and most stunningly multilingual) people I know, gay marriage, universal health care, excellent beer and cheese, and you can bike everywhere across the whole country?

Nah. No interest at all. Really.

[Trek420]

I love it here, I'll never leave...wait, did you say excellent cheese and gay marriage? ;) depends, just HOW good is the cheese? ;) :rolleyes:

[bikerz]

Lessee... some of the coolest (and most stunningly multilingual) people I know, gay marriage, universal health care, excellent beer and cheese, and you can bike everywhere across the whole country?
...And I seem to recall that it's pretty darn flat there too!

[anaphase]

My best friend and I took a trip to Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris in April, travelling by rail. One of my favorite mental images was coming into The Netherlands from Germany, passing through the countryside where there were miles of bike paths, and benches - people were stopping to eat lunch, have a sit and watch the bikes go by before moving on.

I had just decided on my bike before that trip, and was all amped about cycling, so that helped add to the excitement.

Then, when we got closer in to A'dam, each train station we saw was packed full of bike racks, jammed with bikes. I loved seeing that.

[Roadie N Belgie]

I live in Belgium about 20 minutes from the border of the Netherlands. Biking IS a way of life here. Everyone rides. I had someone tell me it was funny to see 70 year old women riding bikes and I asked him how many 70 year old women in the states could even think about getting on a bike. That is not to say that there aren't amazing cyclists in the states who are older, because I know there are, but here it is the norm. You will see entire families riding together, Grandparents on down to the little ones. Teens get a "nice" bike somewhat similar to a 16 year old in the states getting their first car (must be 18 to drive here).

I like when I see couples riding alongside each other and each one will have their inside hand holding the other person's handle bar. Women ride together and do all of their gossiping, just like you'd see women walking around a track yacking away. When large businesses close for the day all of the employees will form a bike gang, with designated road guards, and everyone will convoy home together...breaking off when they are near their residence. The one thing that stands out to me, being an American, is the dress of people riding. Belgians dress up for everything, unlike Americans. You will see women riding their bikes in dresses, high heel boots, etc. Casual wear would be a pair of capris, a nice shirt and a nice pair of shoes whereas to me casual is a pair of Adidas shorts and tennies. Roadies are always fully kitted out.

I never worry about traffic, even though I am riding along-side it most of the time. Cyclists have the right-of-way and all of the drivers also ride bikes and have since they were children. When my family of 3 arrived here we had 1 bike, my daughters. We've been here one year and now we have 6! I didn't take up cycling until I got here and going back to the states will be a real reality check for me, dealing with drivers and not having the routes I do here. I live in Limburg which is considered Biking Paradise and I have to say I concur. I have maps for the bike paths and it is amazing how easy it is to travel all over using the trails. It is just like driving around with a road map and taking certain exits, the routes are completely marked. I have ridden along the canal many times and I don't think I've ever gone there or returned the same way twice.

Another thing is we can trade our bikes in when buying a new one, much like purchasing a car. Theft isn't rampant here, but it is a consideration. Most of the newer, what I call "cruiser" bikes (non racing, non mtb), have built in locks with a key. Some towns have a free bike system. They have tons of bikes painted, say bright yellow, and if you see one you can pick it up and take off on it. Once you leave it somewhere though, someone else can come along and take it. Park and Rides here are bicycle lots with a bus stop. I have a picture of one in Eindhoven, but it's on my other computer, so I can't post it here.

It does snow here, but usually not more than 1 - 1 1/2 inches and it doesn't sit on the ground long. Even with the snow, you will see bicycle tire tracks on every sidewalk you drive by. I haven't mentioned the best part...the cafe's. There is nothing liking riding all over and then stopping and sitting in a cafe for a while, watching life cycle by.

I didn't mean to ramble on so much, sorry. Moving here has given me a passion for cycling, something I had no interest in before and I love it here.

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE=Roadie N Belgie]I live in Belgium about 20 minutes from the border of the Netherlands. Biking IS a way of life here.

Thanks for giving us an insiders view of biking in Belgium. I love the part about the city bikes that you can just pick up and ride off and then leave for another passerby.

Great to hear about life and biking in different places so keep us up to date with all your latest life/biking adventures. :D[QUOTE=Roadie N Belgie]I live in Belgium about 20 minutes from the border of the Netherlands. Biking IS a way of life

[gretassister]

I'd go in a heartbeat.....if there weren't all these strings attached here....ie....job, hubby, family, friends, church............hope to visit someday. I have a cycling friend in Germany. She has sent pictures of the Netherlands.

[betagirl]

*raises hand* :D :D

[VenusdeVelo]

What a great thread, I am a US expat who moved to the Netherlands a little over a year ago. People don't even think about NOT biking here, it surprises me to meet someone who does not bike to the store, to run their errands, etc. And the collection of bikes is fantastic. The train station looks like the start of a huge charity ride in the US ... a sea bikes all over -- but here it's everyday. There are bikes of all colors, many handpainted (not all that pretty but it's the thought that counts :p) I've seen bikes with little flower vases with fresh flowers attached to the handlebars (NL is the land of flowers too). And one bike, was just great, completely covered in zebra stripe pile carpet material. :D

And then there are the people -- carrying a cell phone, AND an umbrella. I've had teleconferences at work where 1 person is on their bike! Bikes with boxes in front ("boxfiets" -- a fiets is a bike) where the kids go, usu 1 or 2. Or sometimes their dog. And then there is what we call the "dutch tandem" -- a cyclist riding and their partner is sitting in the rack in back, side saddle. There's even a technique, they push off the bike and hop on! And people who are 15 years old or 80 years old...everyone rides.

A way of life indeed.

And yes, few hills (though you can find them) but killer wind. I am learning to conquer the fight of wind on my cycling performance! Of course I prefer green to polka dots so I don't mind... :p

If anyone ever visits NL, give me a shout, would love to take you riding!

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE -VenusdeVelo] I've seen bikes with little flower vases with fresh flowers attached to the handlebars (NL is the land of flowers too). And one bike, was just great, completely covered in zebra stripe pile carpet material.

And then there are the people -- carrying a cell phone, AND an umbrella. I've had teleconferences at work where 1 person is on their bike


Thanks for sharing. I love the part about the bikes with vases and the fact that riding is so much a part of everyones life.

Keep posting your Netherland experiences, I look forward to hearing more from the land of bicycles.

[Roadie N Belgie]

I hope this works, I am new to the picture/link side of things. If it works, this picture was taken in Eindhoven, NL, which is a good sized city. It's a little hard to tell in the picture, but on the other side of the walled in area, there are tons more bikes.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/Roadie-in-Belgie-123/ParkandRide.jpg

These are what I call the "cruisers" (I have one and I LOVE it, but I feel like I have neglected it since I got my racing bike.) The cruisers can cost just as much as a good racing/mt bike. I have a picture I took of my cruiser some time back, to send as a size comparison to my family and friends. I thought it might get a chuckle here as well. This is my cruiser and my Smart car.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/Roadie-in-Belgie-123/SizeComparison.jpg

I'm going to have to get better about taking my camera along with me to capture day-to-day life.

M

[bikerz]

I LOVE those Smart Cars! (oh, and a great looking bike too!)

I lived in London for 6 months a few years ago, and those Smart Cars were everywhere - and everytime I'm driving around looking for parking in San Francisco, where there are millions of empty little spaces about 6 feet wide between driveways, I think about those cars!

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE Roadie N Belgie]I hope this works, I am new to the picture/link side of things.

The pictures are great and I love the fact that your bike is nearly bigger than your car.

Wonderful snaps keep them coming. :D :D

[DirtDiva]

I did a Contiki trip earlier in the year and one of the funnest parts of the whole thing was doing a bike tour in Edam. Single-speed, back-pedal brakes, trying (and failing) to learn a little dutch from the guide. Pretty amazing to see the masses of old-school bikes all around Amsterdam to. As far as I could tell, the traffic pecking order there goes bike, tram, car, pedestrian. Would be nice if a few more places were like that!

[Roadie N Belgie]

Bikerz, the Smart car is supposed to hit the states either later this year or next year (always find different timeframes on the web)! They already have them in Canada...so they are getting closer.

We are going to be here for another 3 years and we've already decided that we are going to buy a new Smart when we get back to the states. We love, love, love this car. It IS easy to park and it's fun to drive.


Trekhawk, thanks! I will have to take some new pictures. I have a bike rack on the Smart now and it just makes me laugh whenever I have it loaded up. I get a lot of attention, with or without the bikes, but more-so with.



Tlkiwi, I have to say, it took some getting used to as a pedestrian to realize I was the bottom of the food chain. Your pecking order is dead-on. If you are walking down a sidewalk and do not move off the path when a biker comes up behind you they will start ringing their bell like crazy. It is now second nature to constantly look over my shoulder as I walk. There are areas with separate foot paths and bike paths flanking the roads. I, myself, can't bring myself to ding anyone...it just seems like a rude car honk to me...but to the Belgians/Dutch it is rude to impede the bikers.

Take care,
M

[Trekhawk]

Cant wait to see a picture of your car loaded up with bike it just looks too small for that.

Makes me laugh when I thought about cyclists doing the bell ringing thing, it would be nice over here because maybe you would get an unsuspecting car driver out for a stroll and return the favour for all that honking and rude gestures. :D

[emily_in_nc]

...and move across the pond. Being an avid cyclist is so depressing to me at times, living in the southeastern part of the US, where the SUV is king, and there aren't even shoulders on the roads. My husband and I biked to the farmer's market and then the natural foods market on Saturday for groceries (filled up his four panniers and both our rack packs), and we were such a minority. I'd love to be in the majority for a change and live in a place where cycling is just expected and doesn't label you as a freak. Where I live, biking to run errands is virtually unheard of. People drive down to their mailboxes in the rural south!

We don't have kids so aren't tied down that way, but we both have living parents, so I just couldn't imagine moving so far again as long as they are still with us. We want to see them as much as we can while there's still time.

I sure have fantasies, though! Maybe someday.... I hear great things about Davis, California too wrt cycling infrastructure and number of cyclists per square mile, but real estate is so expensive there, and we don't want to pay that much. I want to retire at 50 so we can have more fun and adventures... sigh! :(

Emily

[Blueberry]

...and move across the pond. Being an avid cyclist is so depressing to me at times, living in the southeastern part of the US, where the SUV is king, and there aren't even shoulders on the roads. My husband and I biked to the farmer's market and then the natural foods market on Saturday for groceries (filled up his four panniers and both our rack packs), and we were such a minority. I'd love to be in the majority for a change and live in a place where cycling is just expected and doesn't label you as a freak. Where I live, biking to run errands is virtually unheard of. People drive down to their mailboxes in the rural south! Emily

Emily-

I have to second this! my DH and I also biked to the farmers market and whole foods on Saturday and on the way home (with both of my panniers full to bursting of fruits and veggies, plus a b-day present for my grandmother) had another one of those annoyingly bad car experiences. The guy weighed about 350 pounds and was driving into bojangles in a huge car. He stopped, blocked our lane of the road, leaned out of his window and screamed at us to "ride somewhere else." Ahhh...the land of fast food and big cars/SUVs. Won't keep me off my bike for a half a second but these things happen with great frequency around here. *sigh* Time to start dreaming of the Netherlands too.

[wabisabi]

We have a "bike library" in town where for $20/yr a person can borrow a bike; if they promise to ride it as primary transportation they can keep it.

[susiej]

THIS is where I want to live next. Close to the family in Stuttgart (closer than Philly), bikes everywhere, easy trip distance to so many European cultures ... Anyone looking for a nice web/database programmer with a good command of American English?

To heck with Stuttgart and London, the Netherlands it is! (And Dutch is close enough to German that the language shouldn't be a problem.)

I'll just drool for a bit longer. And commit to biking to the local farmer's market this weekend. It's all of a mile but better than nothing, and maybe I can inspire someone else.

--SJ

[wabisabi]

Not to dash anyone's impressions, but it has been interesting to talk to Dutch people recently about what is going on there following the killing of Theo Van Gogh and some of the other things that have been happening. These events are really challenging their sense of safety and freedom, and the friend I talked to this summer said that they are still not sure how this will affect their society, and their attitude toward immigrants, especially from Muslim countries. I have to think (and hope) that they will find a way through this crisis in their intelligent, creative Dutch way, maybe in ways that don't limit freedom, as seems too often to be happening here. Just my .02.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily-
I have to second this! my DH and I also biked to the farmers market and whole foods on Saturday and on the way home (with both of my panniers full to bursting of fruits and veggies, plus a b-day present for my grandmother) had another one of those annoyingly bad car experiences. The guy weighed about 350 pounds and was driving into bojangles in a huge car. He stopped, blocked our lane of the road, leaned out of his window and screamed at us to "ride somewhere else." Ahhh...the land of fast food and big cars/SUVs. Won't keep me off my bike for a half a second but these things happen with great frequency around here. *sigh* Time to start dreaming of the Netherlands too.

CA ~ So sorry you had that experience! We were very lucky not to have any bad car encounters on our trip to Carrboro on Saturday. Carrboro is busy, but at least quite bicycle friendly, as southern towns go. That's great that you and your DH also did the farmers market/whole foods ride, though! It sure was hot.... :eek:

Emily

[MomOnBike]

I just took a better look at the Smart Car picture. I want one.

And then I thought about my bike - you know, the looonng recumbent. My bike is, indeed, quite a bit longer - and maybe just bigger - than the car. Hauling the bike would be beyond funny.

One other thing, those panniers look neat. Do you like them?

[CorsairMac]

ROFL Mom: if you strapped your bent on the smartcar just right it would look like the bent was carrying the car!
Thanks for that visual!!!!

[Lynne]

OMG, Roadie, that's beautiful! I wish I lived there. I love the US, but dang, I'd love to move there. Sounds like utopia....

[ChainsOflove]

Plus there are loads of good lookin blond :p Dutch boys!

[nuthatch]

Roadie, that Batavus is beautiful! I bet the commuter/cycle equipment is wonderful over there - worth a visit just to shop!

So if all of us were riding over there in Belgium, would we be laughed at for our lycra?

[DirtDiva]

Probably not if you were on your road bike, but I think there'd be a decent chance of it if you were on an old-school single-speed commuter. ;)

[gretassister]

I'm so jealous ! My friend , who now lives in Germany is on vacation in Amsterdam !!!!