Great video. I pass the site everyday with the train on my way to school. I was wondering from the very beginning of the construction of the bridge if you would do a video about it. And it turned out great!
For those foreigners wondering why dutch "cyclists" don't wear helmets, look closely at 0:54. *That* is a cyclist in full gear, including helmet. The rest of the people are just enjoying a nice relaxed ride, getting to or from work or school, whatever. They are busy recreating or commuting; moving. Not cycling as a (sporting) activity as such.
At 2.20 you see a whole group of cyclist wearing helmets. That is normal in the Netherlands for cyclist on racing bikes. Nowadays those racing bicycle drivers also use little lights and some of them even have bells on there bicycle. They beginning to be a little less dangerous for "normal" bicyclists.
That is a beautiful piece of construction! I'm amazed it only cost 12 million - in the village where I live, near Edinburgh, there is a tiny concrete bridge which has been ridiculed for its cost, over 2.4 million. And you guys can make this beautiful structure for 12!
@geheimschriver That's an excellent point and should contribute a lot towards being relatively cheap. Additionally though it being along the Maas helps with facilitating constructing the bridge off site and transporting it there vs the case Lindsay described. Getting a prefabricated bridge to a tiny place (with presumably narrow turning streams) would be hard or impossible. So in that scenario it makes more sense to build it on site. I suspect building it off site is convenient for the builders but also it won't impede the normal water traffic which might not be a big deal for a tiny village near Edinburgh. But the industry in the south, Belgium and northern bit of France might care a bit about it. Given the size of that bridge though I would've estimated the cost to be higher, the 12 million did surprise me as well.
@geheimschriver I have to agree about cars and lorries with you there. That said I suspect they probably did get the specifications right to facilitate a few maintenance vehicles on it or very rare emergency services passage like shortest route for an ambulance would be to cross it. It'd also not be wide enough, all you'd get for cars and lorries would be one way traffic and no bicycles/pedestrians on the bridge anymore. But when I think about bridges spanning such a distance that need to endure such vehicles you either see more support pylons in the middle or at least have tall towers with cables going down from those support bases on land.
12 million euros? In Germany this would have gotten you either a feasibility study by a politician friends' planning bureau or a bridge, which construction costs quadrupled during construction only to end up with a bizarre looking bridge connected to nothing. Really impressive what you Dutch are capable of
Yes. Well... the villages (although Cuijk is more like a little town) are not that impressive. But this area is very near the city of Nijmegen, and the landscape is beautiful. A mix of forests, hills, heather, and valleys. A great area for day hikes. You could walk across the border into the German Reichswald. Mookerhei, a historical site, has a great view on the valley of river Maas. The area might be interesting for Americans because of operation Market Garden (WWII), the bridges here were not too far. For ‘real’ cyclists (the ones on racing bikes or mtb, wearing spandex and helmets) the area around Mook, Groesbeek, Berg en Dal is very enjoyable, because there are hills. And even some steep climbs. I also like the valley east of Nijmegen (Ooijpolder, millingen).
That'd be Arriva's livery for the Stadler GTW trains on the Maaslijn (you can see the river plays a big role in this part of the country). The red lion is also part of the Limburgish flag.
Or in the past (and present), you could cross the river Meuse right beside the A73 highway. Riding from the train station in Cuijk to Nijmegen via the new bridge cuts 2.8 km from the total distance. Plus you get better scenery.
The boxy railroad bridge is built for far higher loads (8 tons / meter probably), so it'll never be as sleek even when modern, but I agree. It's a nice comparison though.
Honestly, I like the railway bridge more then the new bridge. Also the railway bridge is painted in the color of locomotives in the early fifties of last century.
Actually... local people have been protesting for like 33 years that there SHOULD be a cycle bridge. This had to do with the relocation of the local ferry and this caused the locals to use the small side ramp on the train bridge. This resulted in a deadly accident with someone getting hit by train. This bridge is part of a larger project that costed in total about 20 million. So it's not just a bridge, it's a complete cycle path from the train station in Cuijk all the way to university campus in Nijmegen.
Unlike the rest of the world, bikes aren't really a politicized right vs left issue in the Netherlands, nor are there a bunch of stereotypes associated with them (watch the latest video from Not Just Bikes…).
Overall no. But every project has a story behind it like Sheru shared with us. I don't think anyone in the Netherlands is against their taxes going towards bicycle infrastructure.
None. Structurally not suitable for trains. But sure, the train may get a new bridge at some time too, who knows? And no, the odd maintenance verhicle (or even ambulance or police car if needed?) don't give nearly the same structural load as a regular train passing over.
@@AndreSomers Structural load scales with the 4th power of weight doesn't it? One car would be nothing compared to even a single train car. I bet they can replace the rail bridge over a weekend if needed, with usual Dutch efficiency.
There is a major colour difference and it is smooth as a billard table. What on earth makes you say that? It is very suitable for all people. Disability groups are very often consulted in street designs in the Netherlands.
There is no true separation, only suggestion in a slightly different color of pavement, it is shared space. People with or without disabilities can use every cycle path anyway if they need to.
@@BicycleDutch There is no height difference between the cycle path and the footpath, how is a blind person who uses a cane to find where to go when walking meant to know where the footpath stops? Also, the footpath does not look wide enough for two wheelchair users to pass eachother without encroaching on the cycle path. A
@@ggggg921 And the cycle path is unusable or something? If two wheel chair users would be next to eachother nobody would object. That is simply possible *because* there is no height difference. Stop thinking like you are in car territory. It is perfectly allright and allowed to walk in the cycleway. It is very eazy for blind people to follow the railing don't you think? Makes a perfect sound when you tick it with a cane.
Very impressive design and construction. Money well spent.
And don't take the wrong bridge!
Prob. end up crushed by Arriva Limburg Maaslijn Diesel GTW
Great video. I pass the site everyday with the train on my way to school. I was wondering from the very beginning of the construction of the bridge if you would do a video about it. And it turned out great!
For those foreigners wondering why dutch "cyclists" don't wear helmets, look closely at 0:54. *That* is a cyclist in full gear, including helmet. The rest of the people are just enjoying a nice relaxed ride, getting to or from work or school, whatever. They are busy recreating or commuting; moving. Not cycling as a (sporting) activity as such.
At 2.20 you see a whole group of cyclist wearing helmets. That is normal in the Netherlands for cyclist on racing bikes. Nowadays those racing bicycle drivers also use little lights and some of them even have bells on there bicycle. They beginning to be a little less dangerous for "normal" bicyclists.
@@leojonkers3181 Meanwhile called by their nickname "bukfietsers"...
@@taerial879 Not by me.
Taerial I always called the people on racing bikes “bukfietsers”, but that’s because I ride a recumbent.
@@AndreSomers At least that's a healthy fit too, like the still common right-up: postimg.cc/jnfpRc7C
That is a beautiful piece of construction! I'm amazed it only cost 12 million - in the village where I live, near Edinburgh, there is a tiny concrete bridge which has been ridiculed for its cost, over 2.4 million. And you guys can make this beautiful structure for 12!
The Dutch are very efficient, especially building infrastructure.
@geheimschriver That's an excellent point and should contribute a lot towards being relatively cheap. Additionally though it being along the Maas helps with facilitating constructing the bridge off site and transporting it there vs the case Lindsay described. Getting a prefabricated bridge to a tiny place (with presumably narrow turning streams) would be hard or impossible. So in that scenario it makes more sense to build it on site.
I suspect building it off site is convenient for the builders but also it won't impede the normal water traffic which might not be a big deal for a tiny village near Edinburgh. But the industry in the south, Belgium and northern bit of France might care a bit about it. Given the size of that bridge though I would've estimated the cost to be higher, the 12 million did surprise me as well.
@geheimschriver I have to agree about cars and lorries with you there. That said I suspect they probably did get the specifications right to facilitate a few maintenance vehicles on it or very rare emergency services passage like shortest route for an ambulance would be to cross it.
It'd also not be wide enough, all you'd get for cars and lorries would be one way traffic and no bicycles/pedestrians on the bridge anymore. But when I think about bridges spanning such a distance that need to endure such vehicles you either see more support pylons in the middle or at least have tall towers with cables going down from those support bases on land.
@@herosstratos Infrastructure and water management there is no one better than them tbh. Amazing country.
Looks stunning and polished ❤️ Hopefully Poland would keep on investing in cycling infra.
12 million euros? In Germany this would have gotten you either a feasibility study by a politician friends' planning bureau or a bridge, which construction costs quadrupled during construction only to end up with a bizarre looking bridge connected to nothing. Really impressive what you Dutch are capable of
2:55 That shutter effect from the fencing 😍
What a gorgeous overpass.
12 million euros sounds like the money spent on bikes per year in our country 😂
Well... For general interest I looked it up, in 2018 the Dutch population spend about 1.220.291.000 euro on new bicycles.
@@bakasheru yea, and that doesn't even include traffic calming, and all the extra stuff that it may not include
Niet echt duur hoor
@@petertraudes106 what
@@trilingualfudge7307 cheap
Close to where I live! I knew you would make a video about it, it's a beautiful bridge!
i love the way you edit
Wait, if the bridge is called "Maasover", isn't the title of the video wrong?
I had just seen it myself too. I changed it already.
@@BicycleDutch Murphy's Law: you only see the mistake *after* you post
@@mozismobile That's always the case. But it was wrong for only about 10 minutes ;-)
Can barely get adequate paving done for cars where I live. I couldn’t imagine the powers that be dropping $12 million on a bike bridge. Enjoy it.
Thanks, we will, but 12 million euros is $14,082,540... ;-)
BicycleDutch lol. Thank you.
Well, if it means spending $100 million less on expanding the freeways, it's money well spent
Good vlog, nice bridge.
Still, another cycling planet....
Live in Den Haag. Is either Cuijk or Mook worth visiting? I need a mini day vacation!
Both are very small, but the bridge is only at 40 minutes cycling from Nijmegen!
For historical interested persons the Mooker Hei might be relevant.
Yes.
Well... the villages (although Cuijk is more like a little town) are not that impressive. But this area is very near the city of Nijmegen, and the landscape is beautiful. A mix of forests, hills, heather, and valleys. A great area for day hikes. You could walk across the border into the German Reichswald. Mookerhei, a historical site, has a great view on the valley of river Maas. The area might be interesting for Americans because of operation Market Garden (WWII), the bridges here were not too far.
For ‘real’ cyclists (the ones on racing bikes or mtb, wearing spandex and helmets) the area around Mook, Groesbeek, Berg en Dal is very enjoyable, because there are hills. And even some steep climbs. I also like the valley east of Nijmegen (Ooijpolder, millingen).
The livery on those trains is quite nice
whats livery!?
The Paint/colour scheme.
That'd be Arriva's livery for the Stadler GTW trains on the Maaslijn (you can see the river plays a big role in this part of the country). The red lion is also part of the Limburgish flag.
Would have loved for the design to complement the style of the railway bridge a bit more.
This will make a huge difference with the next Vierdaagse. No pontonbridge anymore, I presume.
Nice work, both bridge and video 🤝🇳🇱
But I liked the pontonbridge
I think we're still gonna get the pontonbridge :)
only 12 m €!!
here in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 to build a normal 100mts road it will cost like 20m$$!!
I love the Netherlands
Go visit next year and rent a bike !
@@ltg8382 Lol I already live here
Before the bridge there must have been a ferry?
The ferry is still there. A short distance from here. I will also stay.
Or in the past (and present), you could cross the river Meuse right beside the A73 highway. Riding from the train station in Cuijk to Nijmegen via the new bridge cuts 2.8 km from the total distance. Plus you get better scenery.
I'm afraid the new modern bicycle/pedestrian bridge is making the old boxy green railroad bridge look a bit out of fashion.
That railway bridge was build at the end of world war 2 by army engineers. Because the old one was blown up. Now That is good maintenance
Vintage style.
I think is nice to see modern and vintage next to each other.
The boxy railroad bridge is built for far higher loads (8 tons / meter probably), so it'll never be as sleek even when modern, but I agree. It's a nice comparison though.
Honestly, I like the railway bridge more then the new bridge. Also the railway bridge is painted in the color of locomotives in the early fifties of last century.
love it :)
hope that other countries adapt this cityplaning where bycicling is more important then Cars
There's always some one has to walk on the cycle way even when they have there own path.
And it is never a problem.
Thank you :)
thanks again
This is fantastic. May I ask, was there any opposition to spending 12 million euro on bicycle infrastructure?
Actually... local people have been protesting for like 33 years that there SHOULD be a cycle bridge. This had to do with the relocation of the local ferry and this caused the locals to use the small side ramp on the train bridge. This resulted in a deadly accident with someone getting hit by train.
This bridge is part of a larger project that costed in total about 20 million. So it's not just a bridge, it's a complete cycle path from the train station in Cuijk all the way to university campus in Nijmegen.
Unlike the rest of the world, bikes aren't really a politicized right vs left issue in the Netherlands, nor are there a bunch of stereotypes associated with them (watch the latest video from Not Just Bikes…).
Overall no. But every project has a story behind it like Sheru shared with us. I don't think anyone in the Netherlands is against their taxes going towards bicycle infrastructure.
Im just glad there no bmw drivers to bully ppl there
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Geen woorden. Prachtig.
12 miljoen euro, niet duur hoor
What's the betting that before long this new bridge becomes the new rail crossing and the old rail bridge the cycle and ped crossing?
Considering the bridge is designed for pedestrian and cyclist loads, not trains, not happening ever.
@@Quintinohthree Looks strong enough. Way over engineered for cyclists and peds. It was just an observation.
@@alexmorgan3435 it's designed to hold some maintenance vehicles as well
None. Structurally not suitable for trains. But sure, the train may get a new bridge at some time too, who knows?
And no, the odd maintenance verhicle (or even ambulance or police car if needed?) don't give nearly the same structural load as a regular train passing over.
@@AndreSomers Structural load scales with the 4th power of weight doesn't it? One car would be nothing compared to even a single train car.
I bet they can replace the rail bridge over a weekend if needed, with usual Dutch efficiency.
Polish government watch and learn!
The Polish Airborne Forces dropped about 40 km further north, on the southern bank of the Rhine.
The pedestrian path does not look suitable for people with disabilities or the visually impaired? Do disability groups have input into design?
It’s the same as any sidewalk
There is a major colour difference and it is smooth as a billard table. What on earth makes you say that? It is very suitable for all people. Disability groups are very often consulted in street designs in the Netherlands.
There is no true separation, only suggestion in a slightly different color of pavement, it is shared space.
People with or without disabilities can use every cycle path anyway if they need to.
@@BicycleDutch There is no height difference between the cycle path and the footpath, how is a blind person who uses a cane to find where to go when walking meant to know where the footpath stops?
Also, the footpath does not look wide enough for two wheelchair users to pass eachother without encroaching on the cycle path. A
@@ggggg921 And the cycle path is unusable or something? If two wheel chair users would be next to eachother nobody would object. That is simply possible *because* there is no height difference. Stop thinking like you are in car territory. It is perfectly allright and allowed to walk in the cycleway. It is very eazy for blind people to follow the railing don't you think? Makes a perfect sound when you tick it with a cane.