How Transferable is Holland's Bike Culture?

Cyclists hear a lot about how much better the biking is in Europe. The Brooklyn Paper takes a look at why, and whether or not the lessons of Amsterdam are applicable in the US.

1 minute read

July 19, 2009, 7:00 AM PDT

By franny.ritchie

"In [Amsterdam's] central neighborhoods, nearly 60 percent of all trips are made on bicycles...While the sheer number of bicycles certainly makes the cyclists more visible on the streets, the city's bike-friendly planning has put two-wheelers at the top of the transportation pecking order.

"It's the quickest way to move around in the city, even more than a car or public transit," said Ria Hilhorst, top bike planner for Amsterdam's Dienst Infrastructuur Verkeer en Vervoer, which (we have been told) translates roughly to the Department of Transportation. 'It's a very, very important part of our policy to keep people on bicycles and stimulate the use of it.'"

Thanks to Franny Ritchie

Read the full story: Happy Streets: Holland's Carefree Thoroughfares

Friday, July 17, 2009 in The Brooklyn Paper

Transportation Europe Cycling Transportation Policy Bike Lanes

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