Are there really too many bikes in Amsterdam?
bicycles reviews | bicycles videos | bicycles online
In June, the New York Times published a story headlined "The Dutch Prize Their Pedal Power, But a Sea of Bikes Swamps Their Capital" that instigated much debate (over 365 reader comments in one day) and a torrent of emails to the editor. The Times followed up by seeking a "dialogue" with its readers about the supposed "swamping" of Amsterdam by bicycles. Then came all the echoes of the Times narrative in other media. So, are there really too many bikes in Amsterdam? On a recent trip to the Netherlands, I got to experience this "sea of bikes" first-hand, and I saw no true problems other than pockets of less-than-ideal bike parking accommodations. Over 30 percent of trips in Amsterdam are done by bike, and many locals have decried the Times article as hyperbole. See what some of them have to say about the situation in this Streetfilm.
Comments
-
This is basically a city of pedalphiles.
-
There can never be too many bikes! Perhaps too many scooters along the bicycle lanes ;)
-
The answer comes at 1:03
-
Not enough bikes. I got mine stolen last week ;)
-
With the E bike there is no excuse to don t use a bicycle.
-
To less.
Imagine they all comes with a car. -
If cities want to take the good things from a country they should never look at the capital city. Want your bike infrastructure to be like the Dutch? Don't look at Amsterdam, look at Groningen or Eindhoven. Amsterdam is just an overcrowded place, even more so because of the tourists, just because it's the capital city.
That's the whole problem, when people look at or go to a country they often look at or go to it's capital.
When I think of England I don't think of London. Too many tourists, too crowded, very hard to find places to have fun (outside of Brixton) which isn't filled with tables to supplement the tourists who want to eat. When I think of the Philippines I really don't want to spend more time in Manila than the absolute minimum. Spain? Barcelona is actually not that bad, except the city center, but it's still bad compared to the rest of Spain. France? I'm never setting foot in Paris again. Thanks to Hollywood everyone thinks Paris is a romantic city. Hell no, it's a tourist trap. -
There aren't enough bikes anywhere.
-
I would say better too many bikes in a city than too many cars. Just imagine what Amsterdam would be like if all those cyclists were driving a car instead.
-
It isn't obvious to me that the article is saying that this is a bad thing, rather it appears to be using "too many" to highlight just how enthused Amsterdam is for the bicycle. It is pointing out that there is more demand for bike racks than what exists.
-
What a great "problem" to have.
-
I'm from Ghana and I want to cycle in Amsterdam.
-
propaganda by car companies lol
-
Great ending shot of all the cars !!! Made me laugh!
-
Car owners pay a lot of taxes. Bike owner don't. Hmm. Do you see why news and governments are mad? :)
-
A lot yes, too many not !
-
what do they do in winter?
-
Its wonderful. There can never be too many bikes, because for each person not biking you have a person using a different form of transportation (which often would mean a car or scooter or what not). Much respect for Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general. Looks very similar to Copenhagen where I live. Now if only more cities would follow suit...
-
I visited Amsterdam last summer. Yes, there were many, many bikes. I can't imagine what it would be like if even half of those people were driving cars instead of riding bikes. Too many bikes? No way. Too many people? Maybe so.
-
More bikes. Less cars.
3m 45sLenght
237Rating