Bike Rush Hour Amsterdam

[alexasmithy]

you have some great stuff here

[cal1234567]

Wheres the orange tourist bikes, i miss my rental bike in amsterdam. Riding round the parks and getting lost then going in the city and... getting lost. Everything is a lot harder to find when en route to anywhere you *HAVE* to stop at a coffee shop

[DianaGreeven]

You call this bike rush-hour? Psshh... you should visit Amersfoort during rush-hour! Especially during the time that our kids go to school.

[amsterdamster]

@DianaGreeven Ja, you're right. I wasn't up early enough that day to get the real rush, but there were still enough around after 9 AM to get this video.

[MagnusDamNoergaard]

i think copenhagen and amsterdam is the cities with most bicycles...

[MaxwellEindhoven]

@MagnusDamNoergaard You'd think so, but no. It is Bejing that has the most bikes per inhabitant. Although it's declining because more asians can actually afford a car.

[ThePopcornface]

I heard there were fleets of bicyclists, like rush hour car traffic, only bikes.

[PacificSurgeNJ]

no helmets huh?

[shaquille210]

@PacificSurgeNJ no need for helmets thats gay

[GeorgeFlush322]

@PacificSurgeNJ Helmets are for American tourists.

[Zoza15]

@GeorgeFlush322 Even Tourists dont need to use them, and if they do use helmets by choice?, then thats a uppertunity as well.. But overal, helmets are not needed.

[findtruth512]

Niiiiiiiiccccce

[hellomynameis151]

i wonder how many of those people just burned a fat bowl and are enjoying the smooth ride

[hellomynameis151]

i wonder how many of those peopl just burned a fat bowl and are enjoying the smooth ride

[StrangebyDefault]

does anyone think its cool there to have bmx bikes?

[ctrlaltdlt01]

i ride to work every day and feel lonely. The only other people riding bikes are idiot hoodlums on tiny bikes riding in circles and going the wrong way on the roads. We have bike lanes but no one in my area uses them.

[NoGo90]

Why do they seem like all the same type of bike?

[klett69]

I lived in Amsterdam. It is not so quiet as it looks full of tourists.There are pros and cons, when you walk you can get hit by a bicycle especially at the beginning of living there. Anyway it is a life experience to have a bicycle in Amsterdam, teaches you something; but doing things is still difficult like everywhere.

And if you go there get a compass, can save you one or two times getting lost

[jamamanjamh13]

If I had a ton of money, I'd start a city in america that is bikes only, no passenger cars trucks or suvs allowed. Only vehicles would be emergency and cargo.

[KrunchyJD]

@jamamanjamh13 Sounds like a great idea

[milner614]

try biking in cumbria uk too many hills biking in dam is a pice of piss

[KingCorvette]

This makes me kinda wish I lived in the city. I live out in the country (Oregon-the most beautiful state in America) and everything is more than ten miles away. It's not that I couldn't ride there, it's just that I could never get there on time. It takes two long. But Amsterdam looks so beautiful and it must be so quiet, because it this video is not loud at all. My country road is louder than this.

[corpeedo]

The only real obese people here are Americans and the British. Also this video highlights another excellent reason Cycling is great around the city, its practically silent! peacefull.

Bedankt

[technolleke]

That's odd, someone apparently already replied to your question but is displayed separately after your question.

I really don't understand Youtube's replying logic :S.

[Broomeister]

A question to any Dutch cycists who happen to be reading this. Are Dutch bikes generally single speed in Holland?

[fishfriend1]

@Broomeister As a city bike you are best of having a single speed because there is less change of things breaking and so on but there are also a lot of 3 speed and 7 speed bikes around. A lot of people have an old 'city' bike and a different one for sports or bigger distances with more gears. There are more bikes than people in the Netherlands.

[Broomeister]

@fishfriend1 Thanks for your reply. I have just bought a single speed Dutch bike. I've had it a week and I love it. I do need a bike for longer distances still though. However my heart is with Dutch bikes, Old English roadsters etc

[technolleke]

Mostly yes. Especially in cities. I guess it's for a number of reasons (main reasons I ride a single speed bike):

- Since the country is flat, switching gears is an unnecessary luxury.

- Since your bike is likely to be stolen or removed once in a while, an expensive (multiple speed) bike is not a smart deal ;)

- One-speed bikes are more reliable and don't break as easily as multiple speed bikes do (and are easier to fix when they do)

- Single speed bikes often have a coaster brake that I prefer

[Broomeister]

Thanks for your reply. I don't really understand the Youtube reply thing either but am grateful I got 2 replies. The reason I asked the question is I was looking into buying a single speed Dutch Bike off ebay. I live in the UK but a reasonably flat part of the UK. I have now bought it and I love it :-)

[lzzrd007]

@Broomeister Generally they are not

[Broomeister]

@lzzrd007 Thanks

[TheMadafada]

environmental friendly... amsterdam really is a nice cities.. very openminded and not depending on conventional education....

[lekkerding469]

Critical Mass, no need in Holland. It's nationally recognized and respected mode of transportation.

[DanManHfx]

Critical mass in Amsterdam...? Looks like everywhere, all the time...

[McAMilly]

does anyone know where critical mass in Amsterdam convenes?

[hoegg]

This is nothing compared to Copenhagen..

[stevevaizorz]

Bicycles > cars + you get excersize

[amsterdamster]

Sigh, I miss Amsterrdam. Don't live there anymore...

[certanlight81]

YES! they do have laws against drunk riding...even against drunk walking. It was in the news that someone got busted for being too drunk & walking..it's also dangerous to others.

[Twinhit]

that is neat to see. Do they have laws against drinking and riding?

[HackebeilHarry]

as long as you dont do stupid, you can drink and ride.

[Pekingeendje]

LOL that's not really rush hour. I've seen busier.

[FcK2420]

if this is a bike rush hour u aint never seen rush hour biking in copenhagen

[gezelligtexas]

The Netherlands boasts more bikes per capita than any other country in the world.

[xzaz2]

Copenhage is fake, whats the numbers when people get older people in Denmark are taking the care more often. In the Netherlands is the other way arround.

[Zoza15]

This is normal in netherland... So whats wrong with this?..

[degnaw]

This is nothing like Critical Mass - there's no hooligans blocking traffic in every lane or corking red lights. If American cyclists really want drivers to start respecting them, eliminating Critical Masses is a good way to start.

[KrunchyJD]

@degnaw Typical response by someone with any excuse to bitch about cyclists.

[degnaw]

@KrunchyJD Huh? I'm just pointing out that there's a big difference between a spontaneous parade once a month (CM), and an actual, legitimate heavy usage of bicycles.

[KrunchyJD]

@degnaw Bitching about Critical mass and generalizing the behaviour of the people involved equates to bitching about cyclists, because the aim of critical mass is to create a recognition for cyclists and their rights.

[degnaw]

@KrunchyJD Really? If I (or MLK, for that matter) bitched about the Black Panthers, does that equate to bitching about all black people? After all, the Black Panthers' goal was for better recognition of black people.

[KrunchyJD]

@degnaw You equate the critical nass rides that you have seen with all critical mass rides. Furthermore, there is no need to have bicycle protests, in places like the Netherlands, because their governments actually want to promote cycling, and people treat cyclists with respect. Cyclists have a right to ride on the road. If prpoer cycle lanes are provided then any sane cyclist including me will use them, but usually where I am from either they are dangerous, or don't exist.

[degnaw]

@KrunchyJD I'm not contesting cyclists' rights, a visit to my channel will probably clear that up (safe cycling facilities don't really exist here either). I just don't believe Critical Mass actually improves driver-cyclist relations. I'm imagining an already anti-cyclist motorist who gets stuck in traffic for half an hour due to CM, and I can't see their attitude towards cyclists improving as a result.

[KrunchyJD]

@degnaw The point of critical mass is to assert cyclists legal rights to ride on the road, and to celebrate cycling. Sure some critical mass events are not productive, however I believe critical mass helps people see the numbers of cyclists. As for people who already have a bad attitude to cyclists, I personally dont think you can do anything to change their opinion. Change the law though and or enforce it better and it does not matter since they may fear prosecution, they will act differently.

[andrew097]

Part of the reason why so many people use bikes in Holland is they are using the right bike The Granny bike is so easy to cycle and comfortable I use one around Dublin all the time. I call it a time machine, because every journey time is door to door. No finding parking and walking to the destination. I think in Dublin the people in cars are mad where a car journey in rush hour of 1km could take 20 mins

[timlameris]

nah.. we discovered the joy of fast food:P just like america.

[donri07]

@NafeesLACC yes most off us living in the big city,s like amsterdam were i grow up also goo from A TOO B with the bike ..eversingle day ;0 that really keeps you fit and slim for sure ..AMSTEREDAM ROCKS BIG TIME and remember there is more too see and do then the coffee shops and the sexmuseum heeeyyy summertime is here aahhhhh soo great :)

[mariojragucci]

Amsterdam people sometimes take pet on bicycle and ride around (ex. birds, cat, dog, ferret)

America is fearful of getting hit by car and thats why I accept there will never be a shift to non-auto society. If Americans would kick aLL the cars off the interstates there'd be a wonderful country going here.

Folks, rightfully so, are afraid of getting hit in America. AMsterdam has a population able-bodied folks who can ride. America will rise as beautiful AFTER the removal of automobiles :-(

[jschnell64]

I think all of the cities are too spread out for this ever to happen in America, they definitely are up in here in Canada. Holland is very flat and compact.

[mariojragucci]

There are places in AMerica that are flat and compact. It's really the automobile mindset which keep all the cars running in America.  Folks don't know any other way, and now the cars dominate everywhere here. In Amsterdam, folks really enjoy a lifestyle that is totally free of car-culture. All of America is dominated by car-culture :-) For now anyway ;-)

[allgoo19]

jschnell64:

At least in Japan, they use bicycle to get to the station. Not many people use only bicycle to get to work, usually combination of bicycle, bus, train etc.

And Japan is not flat.

Traveling from city to another city can be done by train much easier, you can rest while moving.

Basically, cars are gas-powered wheel chair to American people and very comfortable with the idea. They use it because the gas price is cheap.

[civilmonkey7]

@jschnell64 As a matter of fact most of the rides you see here are from the central train station to work, most likely less than 10 minutes one way. Inter city cycling is much more rare, although of course it's still more than in the 'spacier' countries.

[weeardguy]

@jschnell64 You don't need cities close to eachother for something like this: most people you see here are going to work or biking to the station: Cycling from city to city does happen, but not as much.

[ptuku]

@jschnell64 what are you talking about, I never leave the city with my bike (only in rare occasions :P), we use cars and public transport for that..

[cyclenut]

Thanks to Bush and his oil wars I kicked the car-habbit. Mortorist act like fools when I take the lane and travel 30mph...

I did get hit once, stopped at a red light, from the rear, a hit and run. Still I bike every single day!

[Broomeister]

Well done. I have spent a lot of time in your country(I'm from the UK) and love America but as someone who doesn't drive, with the exception of San Francisco which has excellent public transport and is pretty cycle friendly as well(although I didn't actually ride there) it is hard to get around without a car in the states. It seems like they want you to drive. Why they do I have no idea!

[Dextralus]

@Broomeister

If you look into the history of Public Transit in the states, you'll see that major car makers actually lobbied to kill public transit in many cities. Why they didn't just make buses and trams instead - I don't know.

[Broomeister]

Very true. I live in a part of the UK that is pretty cycle and public transport friendly. It's pretty flat round here as well and I am closer to Amsterdam than I am London(although the sea is inbetween :( Amsterdam is more my type of place than London is). However there are parts of the UK that are pretty bad. None as bad as most places I've been to in the states though

[mariojragucci]

Heh - this is a great video of Bicycle City. Thank you very much for posting this

[amsterdamster]

Thanks!

[obscureluzername]

IT's funny because I live in Canada and am an avid cyclist but even I was reluctant to give up my car because of how poor the cycling infrastructure is here.

Many drivers are completely ignorant of cyclists and will drive into and stop in bike lanes without warning.

It's more than a little agrivating that I must inhale copious amounts of car exhaust while dodging detritus left over from car accidents while on a bike path.

Oh how I envy Holland's infrastructure.

[elgeneralsv]

you me both... although I envy Canada bike infrastructure the U.S. is WAY behind the curve seems like Europe and Asia both got wise on autos while the rest of us are wondering what hit us

[jeffsandychelsea]

@security1769 We would see the light, were it not for the decades of god-awful city planning and our crippling dependence on the passenger car. Perhaps if oil were $7 a gallon like in Europe, we wouldn't have the colossal problems we do.

[netherlaaadv]

LOL Typical Dutch people.They are stingy.

[JwH193]

It's so very strange to read about the amazement of the non-Dutch people here about the cycling in Amsterdam. We grow up with cycling, everyone's going to work or school by bycicle, or do their own respective activities on bycicles and even go on dates by bycicle. In most cities in Holland is way more convenient to cycle instead of driving a car. I guess I never realized how unique this is in the world. I don't have that sort of amazement when I'm in places where people don't cycle. Cheers.

[PsportV]

in the netherlands everyone goes by bike.

and this isn't bike rush hour.

in my city it is way more.

[elgeneralsv]

thats good... still looks like critical mass I still have to put up with US people using motorised wheelchairs and such.

[DaZKooL]

Hi guys..

I'm Italian and I live in Amsterdam...

I used to go everywhere with my car...and now I run my bike for 10 km every day (at least)...

If you are not Dutch, I can assure that this sounds strange :)

[elgeneralsv]

I average 20 km a day at the minimum (in the US I wonder why all the times I have been hit by carnosaurs why do healthy people use motorised wheelchairs??)

[92video29]

What is so special about this? You'll see this everywhere in the Neterlands.

[uni000ver000sal]

I wonder if they all carry anti-perspirant with them?

I got a girl that pedals to work everyday and she stinks body odour!

Give me carbon dioxide anytime!

[innerwestie]

P.S.

Other cities should learn from the Dutch. Give cyclists more consideration and rights. Make it more accessible, viable and desirable.

Cycling ideally should be part of life (as it is in The Netherlands) rather than some hard-core splinter group arguably putting their lives ar risk. No helmets here, and no need to be a vigilante...

Young, old, all are on bicycles here!!

[veedubbb]

thats so true. when i was there i didnt see many fat people only tourists. its such a nice way to get around place to place especially in small crowded areas like amsterdam. also a great way to see the sights!

[innerwestie]

It is truly the cycle-friendly world that I wish Sydney Australia could be. You don't see obese folk here in Amsterdam (even though all the food snacks are invariably fried and full of oil!). Last night I saw a young couple riding two bikes side. The chap had his ARM around his girlfriend's shoulders. How sweet! Couples (pairs) on one (not a tandem) bike are very common also.

[dikere]

bikes have the right of way if you walk in there lane they ring their bells at you crazy place but a really nice place ro go to lots to do and see [if your'e not stoned that is]

[cbitchin420]

damn it seems that the bicylist is so damn cocky

[booboy1066]

Steped of the plane from the UK,went to a coffee shop,spent the rest of the day jumping out they way of bikes,Great fun,then i figured out where i was ment to walk.Great place Amsterdam.

[Yessicajax]

haha i live in amsterdam...and always going on my bike to work...but yea its true...tourist always walk in front of my bike:P pretty anoying:P but i can laugh about it. and....tourist can drive around on a bike (or however i say)

but i still love the tourists:P

-x-

[Japiejapieja]

Goes in to town right away... it's 30 degress Celsius Today!

[tosalman]

once in a visit to amsterdam, there were many happy people with bicycles. i remember a shot: it was raining slightly in september afternoon.a couple was touching each others hands romantically while riding different bicycles.. many bikes everywhere, even there are some unowned locked old ones which are broken in a bike park.

hi for all happy dutch from turkey!

[Green4321]

I remember really really old people also riding bikes.  It must keep them fit.

But... How is it that you speak Dutch and have an American accent?

[Yessicajax]

haha what u mean??? do we have a american accent?:P

haha

[amsterdamster]

The best is the women all dressed up riding crappy old bikes that make lots of noise.

[AlpineRoute]

I might have to make up a video from Basel, Switzerland, there are also thousands of people using bikes to commute around the city from all walks of life, suited businessmen included.

[serienummer]

savety helmets...lol You won't get brain damage if you fall of you'r bike with that speed :p

And you don't need to look out for traffic bycause we have special bike-lines.

[jaybreak]

@serienummer If your head hits concrete, you're going to get wrecked no matter what speed you're going.

[indiginz]

Why are they not wearing safety helmets?..also why do they not look out for traffic when crossing paths of vehicles?

[zurecitroen28]

in holland this is very normal, everyone goes to school/work by bike. and u have special bike lanes so u dont have to look out for other traffic

[litethinks]

I forgot to add....How beautiful.

[litethinks]

look ma, no helmet! even next to fast car traffic in places. Our cities here in the states can be like this. The more bikes on the road, the more acceptable it is to bike. looks like they've reached critical mass :-)

[DrCrabfingers]

How very civilised. Bit of a shame they were cycling on the wrong side of the road - still, no ones perfect.

[guitarrouk]

@DrCrabfingers

Are you British? Or Californian? Because in the Netherlands the right side of the road also IS the RIGHT side of the road ;). Hope you understand. And yeah, traveling by bike is very convinient.

[DrCrabfingers]

I was joking mon amie. Cycling IS very civilised though. Best wishes to Holland - I spent very happy times in Utrecht.

[jen8933]

tourists beware, the bike lanes are not substitute sidewalks. it's said that if you walk there the last thing you might hear is that merry little ching ching bike bell.

[farmerbeast666]

Absolutely true!! Look where you walk! You can recognize a bikelane by it's pink-orange colour and often there's a bike logo on the road itself...

[magicmusica]

I was in Amsterdam once stoned off my ass, and I got caught infront of those boats that release like 5000 bikers onto the road. I looked like a dam tourist in the way

[farmerbeast666]

i'm sure you did ;)

[ConMurse]

i live in amsterdam, and taking a bike is actually quicker than going by car, plus parking is rediculously expensive, about almost 3 USD per hour. But the distances from one place to another isn't as far as in america. And the weather here is pretty bad. It's either raining or cold 75% of the time

[jaikownje]

in Amsterdam everyone's on a bike :) ''a lot of''

[everybodysayyeah]

so brilliant. they started doing this in the 70's by building actual bike infrastructure instead of painting lines on intimidating streets and calling them bike lanes. Their urban designers makes us here in N.America look like neanderthals.

[dindunundun]

Great video, everyone must be so fit!

[JepeMundo]

nice footage

[atg88]

it looks like one of those fuckn bike rallys

[jpjmr]

Guess this was a sunday-morning rushhour

[witzkeyman]

brought back good memories of when I was stationed in the Netherlands back in the 80's. thanks

[DidguriDoo]

i felt like a king on my bike in iamsterdam!!till i got a ticket for not have a night on my rended bike :S

[confusedzombie77]

it would be nice if americans were as diverse in their mode of transportation. gas guzzlin mofos!!

[dirkjanderksen]

aii amsterdam is the bom!!

[sradwxi]

hi mate, yeah excellent, ive just posted a video response to it, have a look

[amsterdamster]

I have had 2 bikes stolen from that bike parking lot! Now I have a piece of junk and it doesn't get stolen.

[sradwxi]

excellent mate, ive just posted a response to your vid

[jen8933]

i love how amsterdam is so peaceful and quiet.

[dutchmaninAMSTERDAM]

fiets spitsuur, zit ik ook elke dag in :P