I spent several days cycling across the Netherlands to find out whether it really is the best country in the world for cycling. From Rotterdam and Amsterdam to the North Sea coast, I discovered why Dutch cycling infrastructure is unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else.
If you enjoyed this video, be sure to watch my full Netherlands bikepacking film where I ride the route and experience the country firsthand.
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Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3702013
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What gear do I use?:
14 Comments
Fun fact: because of the cyclists ‘unpredictable behaviour’, they are kind of treated as a protected species (as I like to call it). If a bike and a car crash into each other, it’s always the cars fault.
When I did my week long Maasroute tour I didn't bring a helmet. I did ponder for quite a while, especially as I had to ride from Hull station to the port and back, but in Holland I never felt I needded it. If (when) I go back I won't use one again most likely.
Also in Maastricht I was able to leave my bike in secure storage under the train station overnight, then walk the 50 yards to my hotel with my panniers. They just make everything so much easier for us cyclists.
What do you think? Am I wrong? 😀 – I couldn't quite believe how good it was even though I'd heard great things… I'll be back again soon!
Indeed, that realization that there is no reason we HAVE to accept the idea that cycling (and walking) is dangerous is worthwhile all by itself.
Sounds great to me, flat and safe! What more do you need.
I'm lucky enough to have a Dutch wife so have enjoyed the cycling nirvana regularly for the past 15 years. I even lived there for a short while and barely used the car.
We could learn a lot, but we wont. I think its a cultrual thing, even if you put the infastructure in place in the UK cities, it wouldnt change the mentality of a majoirty of non cyclists unfortunately
Great to see what you've been up to since Modern Family!
Very nice video 👍❤️
I always consider it a defeat when I use my car when I could have used one of my two bikes.
Usually it is because of weather, but still I consider it a defeat.
Been there, loved it. You can ride from Amsterdam to den Haag easily. 90 km close to the coast with like crossing 5 traffic lights or so. It's crazy good
I’ve been to Holland many times on my motorcycle and actually lived there for six months in the 90’s but what I noticed in later years is the shear mass of people that live there now, it’s like the most populated country in Europe and the roads in town and on the freeway show that. Even the tiniest bit of land is fought over and there’s no chance of anyone other than wealthy of owing a house. I only recently into cycling (4 years) so I can’t really comment on that but I was there in 2023 and my friend did invite me out with others on mountain bikes and I can tell you we drone for over an hour to find somewhere to ride mountain bikes. While the infrastructure as you show is perfect for commuting,cycling to schools and the shops I’d take the forests and hills of Scotland any day.
3 comments:
The bike infrastructure we have today is the result of nearly 60 years of work in progress and proper laws to force improvement (and a shiteload of tax money).
There are about 24 million bikes in Netherlands (18 million inhabitants) and somewhere between 500.000 and 750.000 are stolen each year !
A large part of the country is flat as a pancake, but we do have hills in the center and near the central and souther part of the border with Germany.
Kom hier maar wonen. Je kunt er nog wel bij.