In the Netherlands, 1 in 3 people commute by bike. In the US? Only 1 in 1,500.
Here’s how we got to two very different biking worlds.
#sustainblecities #cycling #urbanplanning #netherlands #howdwegethere
Why doesn’t the US commute with bikes as much as they do in Europe? Seriously, one out of every three people in the Netherlands commutes with a bike, but in the US, this number is closer to one out of every 1,500. Turns out the US used to have a good biking system. In fact, the first paved roads in America were all thanks to the cyclists of the good roads movement back in the 1870s. But when cars started becoming more affordable in the 1920s, they used the same roads as the cyclists. And since cars go way faster, it became really unsafe to share the road. Then in the 1950s, bicycle companies started to market bikes as a kids toy rather than an actual tool to commute with. So there wasn’t really a point in developing flushed out bike lanes in US cities. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, cars were still growing in popularity like they were in the US. But in 1971, there was a record high number of traffic casualties, especially involving children. So parents took to the streets and protested demanding safer roads. And the Dutch government actually listened. It didn’t take long for them to start building out safer and more accessible bike lanes for cyclists. That’s how nearly 50 years later, the Netherlands became the bicycle capital of the world. For more stories about how we got to where we are today, make sure to like and subscribe.
12 Comments
My work is 25 miles from home. On the interstate. I’m an avid cyclist, but no thank you. It’s also 100 degrees at 5 o’clock here. Polite pass.
Because your country is like the size of one of our small states.
Great vid!
Because the Netherlands is flat with a mild maritime climate and, because of that, has developed a multi-generational culture of biking. In contrast, most of the US has either extremely cold winters, extremely hot, humid summers , or — in many places — both. Cycling here is mostly for kids or an occasional recreational activity for adults.
Because we physically can't.
Nice to know cyclist were involved is making roads better for cycling cause who doesn't love a smooth road.
1950's and 1960's USA bicycles were all about the rocket age styling over ergonomic design. It was really hard to pedal an ill proportioned bike made of steel with 30 P.S.I. balloon tires more than a few miles.
The Netherlands was already the bicycle capital of the world in 1900. Government has been a net negative for cycling thanks to it's 1950-1980 policy.
It was not build it and they will come at all. It was they keep coming despite us breaking it down, lets follow demand.
Car brain is a real thing. But the car will bankrupt y'all soon enough. Good luck overthere. 🙂
Because lazy people will always find a reason to be lazy
The Netherlands also doesn’t have a large subculture who drive large pick-ups, carry guns and have self-righteous arrogance.
Surely the same ild arguments about climate and size of the country in the replies. As if the entire US is covered in snow or is like a jungle all year long. As if a city administration can't build a bike infrastructure 'because the country is too big'. The point is just that North Americans made themselves car dependent and don't want to change that. Poor arguments are very helpful then.The channel Not Just Bikes (a Dutch Canadian who knows shit) already countered these effectively.