SilverKids cycling experience in Amsterdam
As some of you know, I've been suffering through the fact that SilverKids are traveling :eek:alone:eek: in Europe - "yes, I've seen TAKEN" - there are four votes in our house and apparently, mine is equal to the other three and carries no veto authority. SilverSon (age 15) rides consistently, SilverDaughter (age 18) never rides.
But, here's an excerpt of observations from her Friday blog (with emphasis added by me):
After that we came back to the hotel and rented bikes to go explore the city some more... like a local(more to come about that). We rode our bikes down to Dam Square because we had seen a lot of good souvenir shops form the tram there. We got our souvenirs that we had been looking for and wanting. After making it back to the hotel I was reminded as to why I don't cycle with my family(sorry mom and dad, not my thing)
Amsterdam and bicycles - Amsterdam is a city of bicycles, if you've seen my pictures. I'm going to try and get a picture on our way our of some bike lanes, and traffic lights... yes for the bikes they have traffic lights. Our hotel, the Bicycle Hotel rents bikes for 7.50 euros a day, when paying for them I asked the girl if there is anything I need to know. She said try and stay out of people's way, they are used to it and know where they are going, and two) that bikers own the city, cars will give you the right of way, because if something happens affecting the two of you, even if it is your fault, they still get blamed. I've also noticed that even walkers give right of way to bikers, most people have a little bell, they ring it if people up ahead start walking in the street, or are just in the way. In the morning you will see people riding their bike, one hand on the handle bars, one eating a banana or apple, also people having normal conversation on the phone while riding, people texting, people in business suits, high heels... everything. Some have child seats, they aren't like ours in the states though, they are smaller, sometimes in front of the rider, they almost all have a little rack over the back wheel. [SilverSon] and I watched how they ride with someone sitting there. They just know how it all works. Some bikes have carriers over their racks that they can use to hold things, some have a bin in front of their bike... They have everything. If my parents brought their speed bikes here they would definitely look out of place though.
Another thing here is the roads. One word for an American ... CONFUSING!!!!! on the road they have bike/motorbikes, cars, and trams. There is almost always a bike lane, but sometimes the cars and trams have the same lane, or the bikes have a wide lane and the cars can use it, if possible when a tram is stopped.. almost too confusing to explain, I'll try and get some pictures on our way to Centraal Station to catch our train tomorrow.
Oh yeah - on the phone she added "NO HELMETS". She also described a woman riding with a baby in a snugglee on her chest, keeping one hand on her 4 year old daughters neck to guide her while she rode next to mom/baby. I guess Amsterdam in permissive in more ways than we know...
Here's the Bike Park that fascinated them - three levels tall at Centraal Station:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/bikepark.jpg
And some of the signs - scooter vs. bike:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/bikesign.jpg
In a couple hours, they're off to Paris!
