more about bikes

cycling is king here. i am amazed at the number of bikes, number of stores that revolve around buying, selling and repair, and the wonderful bikes lanes everywhere in this city. cycling trumps every other mode of transportation except trams. i don't think trams stop for bikes so please be careful if you ever come to the netherlands and rent one. but cars and people absolutely give bicycles the right of way and do it graciously!

i can bike down a one way street the wrong way and still make a car stop or move out of the way for me. i can nearly run down somebody on my bakfiets and with a simple 'ching ching' of my bell have them step aside. i can bike on a crowded street, taking up far too much room, and NOT get honked at. it's craziness!

in 3 months only 1 person had the nerve to beep at me while cycling with the kids in the rain. an onlooker glared at them and then looked at me with a certain look in his eye like 'clearly that asshole is from germany'.

people lock their bikes anywhere they can - to trees, other bikes, bridge railings and even boats. the bike parking at amsterdam's central train station houses thousands upon thousands of nearly identical black bicycle (with the occasional orange spray painted variety).

you would think that with a country crazy about cycling they would take good care of their bike but you would be wrong about that. most bikes are pieces of crap but they do the job. poor unused bikes lay dormant with deflated tires and bent wheels like fallen soldiers. police tag bikes that are obviously abandoned and eventually cart them away leaving more space to lock up new ones.

but getting around this city by bicycle can totally elevate your mood. you can get anywhere in a matter of minutes and there is really nothing like cruising down a canal street on two wheels.