@TheGodOfPegana Of course not. That's why they ride a bit slower than racers, on upright bicycles: clear view and relaxed cycling. It's more about common sense and enjoyment than about speed
@justinssite you don’t need gears in the Netherlands, it’s all flat. Although they come in handy, I’m always the fastest to start when the light turns green…
Another great video to watch about cycling in the Netherlands. Not been there yet but definitely on my list of places to see and bike in. Very organized and civilized because such infrastructure there's no need to be a "law breaking cyclists." When you have intersections with sensors that don't detect your bicycle (and stay red), environment full of motorist not wanting to share the road with you and crappy crossings, what do people expect cyclists to do (in the US)?
@TheBlackhawk123 Isn't that sort of like not wearing your seat belt in a car because you're afraid people will laugh at you? If you did have an accident and you weren't wearing a helmet, the likelihood of death or serious injury is much greater than if you were. The more smart people like you start wearing them, the more the helmet stigma will be destroyed. Wearing a helmet should be a choice, and as it is, it sounds like the choice is made for you.
@DouglasZwick No, we would laugh at you in the same way we laugh at Dumbo holding a 'magic feather'.
In the USA 38% of cyclists wear a helmet. In the Netherlands 0.6%.
Cyclists killed per billion kilometers ridden:
USA: 110
Netherlands: 14
Whaddayaknow! Maybe those helmets don't work the way you think!
That's because it's not the falling of your bike that kills cyclists. It's the being crushed to death by a car that does the trick. Dutch answer? Good infrastructure.
@DouglasZwick The reasons for not wearing helmets are several. If I go to the shops, I don't want to carry that bloody helmet with me all the time. That would be a reason for a significant drop in the rate of cycling. Second, it's not necessary at all. Cycling isn't dangerous! It's nice. And third, of course dome people will worry about it messing with their hair or their style... ;-)
I was just in Utrecht- last week, in fact at this particular intersection by the train station... it's a blast to just watch everyone- just like a ballet; when the light says RED, everyone waits, even though it looks like "you might be able to make it- if you are fast"- that just isn't the way in the Netherlands-everyone follows the rules, no cheaters (well- except for the one cheater in the white shirt/repeat offender-that was spotted by someone--lol!) then it works for everyone.
Seriously, I sincerely respect the Dutch people for having such a great attitude to commuting and traveling withing the city. There is no more effective, efficient, practical and, not least, healthy way of travelling than a bicycle. That's how it SHOULD be everywhere.
@gangzw The funny thing is it all started in the 1970's as a way to become less oil dependent. Progressive groups tried to this in other western countries but the oil industry fought back and won big time!
@KANMistry because the finks invariably decide to move our offices out of downtown to empty, soulless office parks in the middle of exurban wastelands miles and miles and miles from anywhere you'd want to live and pretty much only accessible by interstate.
Not gonna happen. Note the vast majority of people actually obeying the traffic signals. Note the people actually signaling to other bicycle riders that they are about to make a left turn in front of them.
I actually got complemented last weekend by a car driver. He said I was the first one he's seen in years actually hand signaling.
Very civilised. Notice the absence of lycra & helmets. This is cycling as a normal part of life rather than a dangerous urban sport as it is in London much of the time - although this is changing.
@54321zero If London was as flat as Utrecht, and bikes has as much room and priority, I would happily swap my 'hybrid' bike for a more 'Miss Marple'-style one. As things are, we are constantly battling cars for space on the road and position at the lights. I hasten to add I do not wear lycra though!
@BleekerSoL I split my time between NYC and London. I have a few brave friends who cycle to work on busy main streets in both cities, I'd love to but I'm way to afraid! I stick to the parks and residential areas.
@BleekerSoL Dutch people like to cycle as fast as anyone but there's a different cultural attitude to urban cycling. The dutch cities also mitigate against fast/posey cycling - cobbles/tram lines/complicated multi-transport intersections etc. Don't you think it's getting more like this in London - busier, slower cycle lanes & you cant look cool on a Boris bike! I ride a tourer in London & I find the cycle lanes painfully slow but I'm working on my attitude. Environment changes behaviour.
Hey, I spotted a Silly Cyclist! 3:04, white shirt, dark hair rides on the pavement and looks like he runs the red light. And a dark haired guy with a white shirt did the same on the video from last year! A repeat offender? :-)
Does the bus lane trigger red light for cyclists or are they on timer?
@timooohz the buses and trams trigger a red light for cyclists yes. And those lights differ from each direction as well. (So cyclists coming from the far direction may have green while the cyclists in the front have red). On the other hand the cyclists also influence the lights because there are loops detecting them too.
Thanks for the great video! What's the average commute there? The commuters are in their working clothes as opposed to the Americans who dress in gears to get to work.
I just got back from Copenhagen and it is very similar to Utrecht. I have to go there on my next big trip.
@IbikeCopenhagen You're right. Although in NYC more and more I'm seeing bikers commute in their everyday wear to work. I see a few brave souls in their business suits without helmets zipping through Manhattan.
It's time cars had the skinny path at the edge, and bikes got the road. It's really unfair cyclists should be squished up like that. Hell, just get rid of the cars altogether :)
well, everybody has a typical city bike there...would I seem strange with my fully among them?
Peti0308 1 month ago
hoe laat is dit ongeveer?
Rikketje88 1 month ago
@Rikketje88 tussen acht en en half negen. (This was filmed between 8 and 8:30 am)
markenlei 1 month ago
@markenlei oow en dan al zo druk?zoo de knetters
Rikketje88 1 month ago
Still not a 'fat american car' in sight!
killerrockssm 1 month ago
I wish London had these bike lanes and bike paths! Hurry for the Dutch cycle lanes and cycle paths! Londoners love you guys!!
MrMarafi 1 month ago
And THIS is why they're all healthy.
hd92122 3 months ago 2
dude, this is surreal! quality of life goes to the roof
zik667 3 months ago
I don't even watch the video, I just read the comments from foreigners xD Funny as hell. I don't see anything special, yet they are amazed.
StlyDutch 3 months ago 7
I want to live there!
But I'd be all sweaty at work!
TheGodOfPegana 3 months ago
@TheGodOfPegana I used to cycle 30 k's to and from work. Had a shower at work. No sweat:)
jorisprangsma 2 months ago
@TheGodOfPegana Of course not. That's why they ride a bit slower than racers, on upright bicycles: clear view and relaxed cycling. It's more about common sense and enjoyment than about speed
09conrado 1 month ago
3:04...Get in line ..BUSTER!!!
asoh123 3 months ago
@justinssite you don’t need gears in the Netherlands, it’s all flat. Although they come in handy, I’m always the fastest to start when the light turns green…
hamaryns 3 months ago
In Arnhem, Nijmegen, Maastricht etc. you need gears! I wouldn't ride an omafiets in those cities
Gallium0031 3 months ago
@hamaryns but the winds, the terrible terrible winds
kardentyrell 1 month ago
lol all those comments from foreigners
hezdunnah 3 months ago
Nobody has gears.... all single speed
justinssite 3 months ago
@justinssite No, most of them have internal gears. Either 3 or 8 speeds typically.
tetrabee 3 months ago
Where do they park all those bikes? Are there parking garages for bikes? Can you post a pic/video of those too?
wwebbjames1392 4 months ago
@wwebbjames1392 yes there are parking garages. I posted a number of video's on parked bikes. Just search for 'parking' on my channel.
markenlei 4 months ago
great video
WTFADR 4 months ago
how come nobody freaks out when the guy gets hit by the train at 3:40
potkettleblack29 4 months ago
@potkettleblack29 cause he doesn't get hit.
GrunnenEnSeyst 3 months ago
Lol theres still jerks who refuse to yield and pay attention to signs. whats new :)
zazenzach 4 months ago
Good God!!! This place is the Los Angeles freeway of bikes!!!
danbridge 4 months ago
I think i should move to here. Packing my bags.
liamwilson123 4 months ago
Another great video to watch about cycling in the Netherlands. Not been there yet but definitely on my list of places to see and bike in. Very organized and civilized because such infrastructure there's no need to be a "law breaking cyclists." When you have intersections with sensors that don't detect your bicycle (and stay red), environment full of motorist not wanting to share the road with you and crappy crossings, what do people expect cyclists to do (in the US)?
tetrabee 5 months ago
Did anyone count them?
belkafiz 5 months ago
So many thin people. All stemming from one intelligent lifestyle choice. Truly, an enlightened society. Guess I know where I'm moving.
Condeycon 5 months ago
you should've fast forwarded it
KingUw 5 months ago
none of them are fat either.
Kinjoson 5 months ago
any1 want a good easy business ? sell bicycle helmets somewhere around where this video is shown. ka ching
jacktls26 5 months ago
@jacktls26 you think? There is a very good reason none of these people wear them.
markenlei 5 months ago 38
@markenlei well you could go round pushing everyone off the bike and as the number of head injuries increase so will the number of bike helmets sold
jacktls26 5 months ago
@jacktls26 No one in the Netherlands with selfrespect wears a bicycle helmet out of free will XD people will laugh at you :P
TheBlackhawk123 5 months ago
@TheBlackhawk123 Isn't that sort of like not wearing your seat belt in a car because you're afraid people will laugh at you? If you did have an accident and you weren't wearing a helmet, the likelihood of death or serious injury is much greater than if you were. The more smart people like you start wearing them, the more the helmet stigma will be destroyed. Wearing a helmet should be a choice, and as it is, it sounds like the choice is made for you.
DouglasZwick 4 months ago
@DouglasZwick No, we would laugh at you in the same way we laugh at Dumbo holding a 'magic feather'.
In the USA 38% of cyclists wear a helmet. In the Netherlands 0.6%.
Cyclists killed per billion kilometers ridden:
USA: 110
Netherlands: 14
Whaddayaknow! Maybe those helmets don't work the way you think!
That's because it's not the falling of your bike that kills cyclists. It's the being crushed to death by a car that does the trick. Dutch answer? Good infrastructure.
Smallpotato1965 3 months ago
@DouglasZwick The reasons for not wearing helmets are several. If I go to the shops, I don't want to carry that bloody helmet with me all the time. That would be a reason for a significant drop in the rate of cycling. Second, it's not necessary at all. Cycling isn't dangerous! It's nice. And third, of course dome people will worry about it messing with their hair or their style... ;-)
09conrado 1 month ago
I see thin people.
RobBottin 5 months ago
I was just in Utrecht- last week, in fact at this particular intersection by the train station... it's a blast to just watch everyone- just like a ballet; when the light says RED, everyone waits, even though it looks like "you might be able to make it- if you are fast"- that just isn't the way in the Netherlands-everyone follows the rules, no cheaters (well- except for the one cheater in the white shirt/repeat offender-that was spotted by someone--lol!) then it works for everyone.
TheSfhoneybee 5 months ago
so cool! ride or die literally.
miceonerone 6 months ago
Aw look at the dad pet his boy's head at the :20 mark. :)
sararasm 7 months ago 7
Now imagine all those people driving cars.
kjuarez29 7 months ago
Looks like a large American university.
fdh2006 7 months ago
WOW! I'm moving to Netherlands!
TeheD 7 months ago 3
No Fat people here!!! Wow fitness as a part of daily life..What a concept!
aleighland 7 months ago
This looks incredible. I'm just curious as to what happens in the winter or when it snows?
pandybair 7 months ago
@pandybair nothing much different... we just roll on, see "rush hour in the snow" video
markenlei 7 months ago 14
Cool! A vintage tram at 2:01
ourari 7 months ago
That's sick :D
Seriously, I sincerely respect the Dutch people for having such a great attitude to commuting and traveling withing the city. There is no more effective, efficient, practical and, not least, healthy way of travelling than a bicycle. That's how it SHOULD be everywhere.
gangzw 7 months ago 6
@gangzw The funny thing is it all started in the 1970's as a way to become less oil dependent. Progressive groups tried to this in other western countries but the oil industry fought back and won big time!
WhoCares3001 7 months ago
That's awesome. I wish to see this in Romania some day.... .... .....
dany951 7 months ago
So many bikes. Why can't North America be like this?
KANMistry 7 months ago 4
@KANMistry because the finks invariably decide to move our offices out of downtown to empty, soulless office parks in the middle of exurban wastelands miles and miles and miles from anywhere you'd want to live and pretty much only accessible by interstate.
binkymagnus 7 months ago
Now if only the US would be like this.
13914214 7 months ago
@13914214
Not gonna happen. Note the vast majority of people actually obeying the traffic signals. Note the people actually signaling to other bicycle riders that they are about to make a left turn in front of them.
I actually got complemented last weekend by a car driver. He said I was the first one he's seen in years actually hand signaling.
Petawatt 7 months ago
Hello there! Iam a big fan of your videos. Could you possibly give me the name of this road, or junction. Thank you.
14051996 7 months ago
@14051996 Van Sijpesteijntunnel, Utrecht, 52.09196,5.109383
Ewoutjuh 7 months ago
Very civilised. Notice the absence of lycra & helmets. This is cycling as a normal part of life rather than a dangerous urban sport as it is in London much of the time - although this is changing.
54321zero 7 months ago 30
@54321zero If London was as flat as Utrecht, and bikes has as much room and priority, I would happily swap my 'hybrid' bike for a more 'Miss Marple'-style one. As things are, we are constantly battling cars for space on the road and position at the lights. I hasten to add I do not wear lycra though!
This video is very relaxing.
BleekerSoL 7 months ago
@BleekerSoL I split my time between NYC and London. I have a few brave friends who cycle to work on busy main streets in both cities, I'd love to but I'm way to afraid! I stick to the parks and residential areas.
WhoCares3001 7 months ago
@BleekerSoL Dutch people like to cycle as fast as anyone but there's a different cultural attitude to urban cycling. The dutch cities also mitigate against fast/posey cycling - cobbles/tram lines/complicated multi-transport intersections etc. Don't you think it's getting more like this in London - busier, slower cycle lanes & you cant look cool on a Boris bike! I ride a tourer in London & I find the cycle lanes painfully slow but I'm working on my attitude. Environment changes behaviour.
54321zero 5 months ago
@54321zero You can say that agin!
WhoCares3001 7 months ago
Traffic lights have more a character of a recommendation?
kflfv3 7 months ago
Hey, I spotted a Silly Cyclist! 3:04, white shirt, dark hair rides on the pavement and looks like he runs the red light. And a dark haired guy with a white shirt did the same on the video from last year! A repeat offender? :-)
Does the bus lane trigger red light for cyclists or are they on timer?
timooohz 7 months ago 3
@timooohz the buses and trams trigger a red light for cyclists yes. And those lights differ from each direction as well. (So cyclists coming from the far direction may have green while the cyclists in the front have red). On the other hand the cyclists also influence the lights because there are loops detecting them too.
markenlei 7 months ago 5
@timooohz
he's such a rebel
ReptilianShapeshifte 5 months ago
@timooohz yeah, if figures he's the asshole wearing headphones, too.
Rickinsf 5 months ago
I find this fascinating to watch. I couldn't help but watch all 5 min
TweedleDee1 7 months ago
Thanks for the great video! What's the average commute there? The commuters are in their working clothes as opposed to the Americans who dress in gears to get to work.
I just got back from Copenhagen and it is very similar to Utrecht. I have to go there on my next big trip.
IbikeCopenhagen 7 months ago
@IbikeCopenhagen You're right. Although in NYC more and more I'm seeing bikers commute in their everyday wear to work. I see a few brave souls in their business suits without helmets zipping through Manhattan.
WhoCares3001 7 months ago
I like this stuff but I would never watch five minutes of it...
karigracematthews 7 months ago
It's time cars had the skinny path at the edge, and bikes got the road. It's really unfair cyclists should be squished up like that. Hell, just get rid of the cars altogether :)
behoovingmoving 7 months ago 33
@behoovingmoving Agree!!!
TemiZee 7 months ago
@behoovingmoving I LOVE THIS COMMENT! :p
WhoCares3001 7 months ago