That's it. I'm moving to Amsterdam!
#26
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#27
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Sorry for the typo km/h
Kilometers per Hour
that better? Or do you need more?The types of bikes most obvious then for use in the city were heavy European types, or with strong linkage to mountain bikes. The high density of riders on (very few) roads and cycle pathways means quite a slow avenue.
For me, it was almost walking pace to get from the information centre to an exit from the city. The only speed about 20kkm/h for me as a fully loaded touring rider was from the ferry into the city on new path that was very similar to the ones shown in the thread's first post... with very few users.
Yes, it was tourism times, but again through observation, there were a bunch of people whose only interest seemed to be in how they could, and how much drugs, they could source. Oh, and of course, grabbing a view of the prostitution part of the city, that is promoted pretty quite heavily.
My riding in other parts of the country was much better, and generally much friendlier.
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Amsterdam the day after the annual Gay Pride Festival. This woman on a rental bike was not too sure she even wanted to come up the hill.To be fair work crews were already cleaning up early Sunday morning.
Last edited by Doug64; 02-19-19 at 11:58 PM.
#29
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One reason for all those cyclists is the personal income tax rate: It varies, but currently 52%, avg 1995=2018 was 54% (high 60%/low 52%). Anybody know if they also have a VAT, Property Tax, Capital Gain Tax, etc.? Don
#31
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Out of everywhere in Western Europe to live, AMS would be one of the last choices I would make due to the tourism blight. Even CPH is getting really bad as well
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The bike path situation, while looking grand, can result in serious downgrading of level quality. And if you want to ride on the road with a bike path running parallel to it, be prepared for really aggressive driving skills and attitudes towards someone not wanted on roads. The density of bike usage is so bad in some parts that, as some of the pictures illustrate, it is almost impossible to get anywhere with any level of efficiency. And the bike parking becomes intimidating on footpaths for ordinary pedestrians.
No, if everybody who could easily afford a car would drive one instead of a bike the tourism problem would be solved because no one wants to visit the biggest traffic jam in the world. If you own a car and have a parking permit you use it to get out of the city, not to drive within the city. It's slower and it's no fun driving. Taxes are high but no one actually pays the 52%, it's part of a taxation with lower percentages and tax breaks, and you get quite a lot in return. The average/median Dutch probably has quite a bit more to spend after taxes and bills than the average American.
#33
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Amsterdam is so 14th century
As I recall on reclaimed Polder land they laid out the bike paths straight and the street side anything but that,
, so advantage to get on your bike out the back gate than the car in the Cul de Sac , on the street..
...
, so advantage to get on your bike out the back gate than the car in the Cul de Sac , on the street..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-20-19 at 01:58 PM.
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Both the Finns and the Dutch are some of the nicest, and most level headed, people on the planet. Their roads and bicycle systems are both excellent, and both have survived and conquered, if you like, deeply unfriendly environments.
The best cycleway award belongs to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport, though. Nothing can quite touch the magic, if not fear, of an A380 landing what seems to be only a metre above your head.
The best cycleway award belongs to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport, though. Nothing can quite touch the magic, if not fear, of an A380 landing what seems to be only a metre above your head.
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Intimidating to foreigners maybe. It's actually very efficient, you can get about anywhere in less than half an hour and there is an awful lot to go to. But it there's a bike lane the little space there's left for cars is for cars. You're not allowed to ride there. If bicycle tourists of all people start misbehaving too.....
#36
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Every location has its plus and minus. I like where I live other than the snowy and cold winters. The farm land is a joy to ride. A farmer at heart, I really enjoy it. Sure, roads are straight, but really the who cares? No traffic for miles and miles, cleaner air, and natural sounds make it the right place for me.
#37
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Being half-Dutch, I have a huge soft spot in my heart for anything Dutch. It is an attractive society, and their cycling addiction is real.
But, before you lose your head, be aware that the weather is just gruesome much of the year-cold, dark and wet.
But, before you lose your head, be aware that the weather is just gruesome much of the year-cold, dark and wet.
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There are good routes for serious road riders and they are easily and safely accessible by bike, but it still is an accidental benefit to transportation and recreation infrastructure which should be used accordingly. For really 'serious road riding' the road gets closed off, in other cases you have to respect the rules and always be prepared to slow down, ride on the designated surface or move over if the situation requires it. I think the Dutch in general are very welcoming to tourists and other foreigners and will happily do some dutchplaining, But a lot of tourists act like the destination is their playground.
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As to tourists, can you blame them? Besides, it is easy to find places where they don’ t go.
P.S. Most speak better English than the English.
#40
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Think of the plusses. The Netherlands is in the EU, has a higher standard of living than the UK and is far better organised. Climate change means the weather is improving, and the national football team puts England’s to shame.
As to tourists, can you blame them? Besides, it is easy to find places where they don’ t go.
P.S. Most speak better English than the English.
As to tourists, can you blame them? Besides, it is easy to find places where they don’ t go.
P.S. Most speak better English than the English.
Not interested in AMS again.
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#43
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We were in AMS and The Netherlands for the first time last May. These pics were taken around 3:30pm in AMS in the afternoon which I suppose is approaching rush hour. The number of bikes in AMS was overwhelming. Bike parking at train stations, etc, was overflowing. The local drivers, riders, and pedestrians were OK, but for a tourist like me, it was confusing as to which walk/ride/drive signal to pay attention to when I wanted to cross the street. I guess you get used to it, though.
I am sure you are correct in that people get used to it, just like driving on crowded city streets and through traffic jams, people get used to it and don't whine that they can't drive like they might on an Autobahn.
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I don't understand the problem. People cycle on the right, they walk on the right too in many towns, and everything appears to be flowing in orderly fashion.
As every road user knows, the main thing that keeps even crowded roads flowing smoothly is predictability, which is what all these pictures show. You might have to learn some local road rules, but surely you would do that for any new country.
As every road user knows, the main thing that keeps even crowded roads flowing smoothly is predictability, which is what all these pictures show. You might have to learn some local road rules, but surely you would do that for any new country.
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The hotel where we stayed had quite a busy street in front but I just could not get everything to cooperate in one shot. Here's a link to the Google Streetview. Hotel Cornerhouse. In both directions you have a sidewalk, bike lane, parking lane, driving lane, and tram lane. Felt a little like playing Frogger.
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- a person - walking.
- a bicycle - riding.
- red-ball, yellow-ball, green-ball or red-arrow, yellow-arrow, green-arrow - driving.
- negenoog (nine eyes) - tramming.
-mr. bill
#47
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Think of the plusses. The Netherlands is in the EU, has a higher standard of living than the UK and is far better organised. Climate change means the weather is improving, and the national football team puts England’s to shame.
As to tourists, can you blame them? Besides, it is easy to find places where they don’ t go.
P.S. Most speak better English than the English.
As to tourists, can you blame them? Besides, it is easy to find places where they don’ t go.
P.S. Most speak better English than the English.
That's a bit of a trap actually. Nobody minds switching to English but especially the native English speakers tend to take it for granted and feel accepted and integrated, only to find out after a year or two that without understanding Dutch, speaking is of less importance, they won't integrate any further because they miss out on about everything that's not in a one on one conversation.
I don't understand the problem. People cycle on the right, they walk on the right too in many towns, and everything appears to be flowing in orderly fashion.
As every road user knows, the main thing that keeps even crowded roads flowing smoothly is predictability, which is what all these pictures show. You might have to learn some local road rules, but surely you would do that for any new country.
As every road user knows, the main thing that keeps even crowded roads flowing smoothly is predictability, which is what all these pictures show. You might have to learn some local road rules, but surely you would do that for any new country.
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Well, I tried to learn Dutch in the time I was there and found the biggest problem, when people could understand my simple dutch, was that everyone replied in English. The pronunciation is a problem, I agree - I won't bore you with that old saw about how the Dutch spotted Germans in WW2, according to my ex wife's family, anyway.
You are probably right about Amsterdam, I spent more time in other cities, however, I agree about predictability - mentioned it myself - however, I think the problem is unfortunately general to tourism, in the short tours do nothing to help the tourist understand a people or its culture. It's also true that you can find English TV programmes easily. I also agree with a point made in another thread, that bicycle lanes are not always restricted to bicycles alone, and therefore that can create problems.
Anyway, presumably things are calmer in Groningen, compared to further south.
You are probably right about Amsterdam, I spent more time in other cities, however, I agree about predictability - mentioned it myself - however, I think the problem is unfortunately general to tourism, in the short tours do nothing to help the tourist understand a people or its culture. It's also true that you can find English TV programmes easily. I also agree with a point made in another thread, that bicycle lanes are not always restricted to bicycles alone, and therefore that can create problems.
Anyway, presumably things are calmer in Groningen, compared to further south.
#49
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