I think Mark Wagenbuur (user markenlei/BicycleDutch) deserves some credit here since this is basically a copy of his video "How the Dutch got their cycle paths" and also includes footage from his "Bicycle Rush Hour Utrecht" video.
Chris Boardman made a great Video, but even I noticed he was on a Road Bike. I thought he should have ridden an ordinary one. Just blend into the environment that he was in. I was in the Netherlands for 2 Weeks, 25 years ago. Dutch friends loaned me a Bike, and loved getting around that way.
Struck by the difference of you humped over on that awful road bike, straining to hold your head up in an unnatural position just to see ahead and around you as compared to the Dutch, tooling along, sitting upright, comfortable and casual. I'm surprised you didn't try a standard, upright, Dutch bike. I know you've ridden thousands of miles on a road and track bike, but relax, sit up and enjoy the other way to ride a bike. At least you were in street clothes and I love your attitude about bikes as utility and transportation!
Sadly we are still stuck in the whole car culture in the UK. Car is king because all the roads and routes between urban areas are designed for them in mind. I mean do we need 5/6 different roads to get to the same destination? Isn't it time to restrict road space especially in residential areas to cyclists and dare I say it e-scooters.
Could I please make a plea for pedestrians. I walk everywhere that I possibly can and cyclists come silently sweeping up behind. Not many have bells and, sadly, not the manners to say 'Coming through' or 'Excuse me'. One cyclist hit my back on the Town Moor in Newcastle as he tried to weave his way through another couple, a dog and my husband and me. Had I been elderly and unsteady, I may have fallen down. Ironically, he was a doctor on his way to the RVI in Newcastle!
Margaret Urquhart That is simply because cyclists don't have their space either. Nearly all space is taken now by motorised traffic subsidised by all taxpayers, just like in the Netherlands in the 60's. Let's hope similar changes are coming. Rapidly.
Nice video. But the comment that motorized vehicles should give way to bicycles when turning left or right just isn't true. Bicycles should give way to cars coming from the right so please don't try that yourself when you're biking through the Netherlands cause it'll end up in tears.
Ralf Speek , Craig is correct here.Most intersections give priority to cyclists, but some give it to cars. It's easy to tell in two ways. One is if the cycle track continues unbroken through the intersection. If it does then the bicycle normally has the priority. Second is look for the sharks teeth. If they point to you, you must give way. These are the best way to be sure but are normally only on major / busy streets.
As a casual cyclist in the U.K. I can tell you that most cyclists here ride like crazed lunatics with their stupid tour de France gear....they don’t ride in a calm relaxed manner like they do in the Netherlands!
Superb. If only more people understood this
linking your blog to all my videos thank you chris
Absolutely fantastic video. How it should be
Down right the best short video we have seen proving out right that cycling is a way of life not just a sport
I think Mark Wagenbuur (user markenlei/BicycleDutch) deserves some credit here since this is basically a copy of his video "How the Dutch got their cycle paths" and also includes footage from his "Bicycle Rush Hour Utrecht" video.
Chris Boardman made a great Video, but even I noticed he was on a Road Bike. I thought he should have ridden an ordinary one. Just blend into the environment that he was in. I was in the Netherlands for 2 Weeks, 25 years ago. Dutch friends loaned me a Bike, and loved getting around that way.
Chris Boardman for London Mayor!
defo
i agree...love it
In the 60s they all drove classic cars. Now they all ride classic bikes.
Struck by the difference of you humped over on that awful road bike, straining to hold your head up in an unnatural position just to see ahead and around you as compared to the Dutch, tooling along, sitting upright, comfortable and casual. I'm surprised you didn't try a standard, upright, Dutch bike. I know you've ridden thousands of miles on a road and track bike, but relax, sit up and enjoy the other way to ride a bike. At least you were in street clothes and I love your attitude about bikes as utility and transportation!
craig horton I
Sadly we are still stuck in the whole car culture in the UK. Car is king because all the roads and routes between urban areas are designed for them in mind. I mean do we need 5/6 different roads to get to the same destination? Isn't it time to restrict road space especially in residential areas to cyclists and dare I say it e-scooters.
Could I please make a plea for pedestrians. I walk everywhere that I possibly can and cyclists come silently sweeping up behind. Not many have bells and, sadly, not the manners to say 'Coming through' or 'Excuse me'. One cyclist hit my back on the Town Moor in Newcastle as he tried to weave his way through another couple, a dog and my husband and me. Had I been elderly and unsteady, I may have fallen down. Ironically, he was a doctor on his way to the RVI in Newcastle!
Margaret Urquhart That is simply because cyclists don't have their space either. Nearly all space is taken now by motorised traffic subsidised by all taxpayers, just like in the Netherlands in the 60's. Let's hope similar changes are coming. Rapidly.
Nice video. But the comment that motorized vehicles should give way to bicycles when turning left or right just isn't true. Bicycles should give way to cars coming from the right so please don't try that yourself when you're biking through the Netherlands cause it'll end up in tears.
Ralf Speek It depends on how the intersection and driveway entrance is marked. Most give priority to the cyclist.
Ralf Speek , Craig is correct here.Most intersections give priority to cyclists, but some give it to cars. It's easy to tell in two ways. One is if the cycle track continues unbroken through the intersection. If it does then the bicycle normally has the priority. Second is look for the sharks teeth. If they point to you, you must give way. These are the best way to be sure but are normally only on major / busy streets.
As a casual cyclist in the U.K. I can tell you that most cyclists here ride like crazed lunatics with their stupid tour de France gear....they don’t ride in a calm relaxed manner like they do in the Netherlands!
You English love to "que" but can't sit on a bike, you have to race it... Silly. I really don't understand.
Drivers are the lunatics who kill 5 a day. But let's blame victims, eh?