donderdag 25 februari 2016

Cycling in the Netherlands

In some comments on my blog people wonder how to cycle with high heels etc. Well let me explain:  a bicycle is for us in the Netherlands a way of transport. Everybody has its own and uses it to go from A to B. To go to school, to do your daily shopping, to bring your kids  to school, to friends. We don't dress ourselves in sporty outfits but just wear the clothes we wear the whole day. Cycling in high heels is not so difficult as you mostly use your forefoot to cycle and not your heels, aren't you?
There are of course some sporty types who cycle for a hobby and dress up as professionals and go for many kilometres in high speed in the weekends.
In remote areas children  cycle many kilometers to highschool sometimes 10 kilometers or more with strong winds, but they don't mind and mostly cycle in groups and wait for each other. Although I have heard they now often use motorbikes or electric bicyles!
The basket you see in this photo is to transport a doggie on the bike, a safety net over it, keeps him inside.

15 opmerkingen:

  1. Excelente fotografia deste belo meio de transporte não poluente.
    Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  2. That makes perfect sense Marianne, if it's the main way of getting about you would dress for your destination. When I was a teenager going to school my situation was exactly as you described above :)

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  3. I saw many Mothers transporting their kids on the bicycles in Amsterdam.
    That dog basket is cute. I'm not sure I would be able to balance a dog and a kid on my bicycle, but I suppose if you do that everyday it becomes easier!

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  4. I always enjoy your bicycle photos. I love to bike and wish I could use mine for practical purposes besides just fun.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  5. I love your photos of lineups and clusters of bikes here and there. Bicycles are a great way to transport yourself. I cannot wait to get my bike out when the snow is gone. Have a lovely day.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  6. I could bicycle in high heels before I could walk in them. I'll stop there.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  7. I wonder what the dogs think being in a basket like that!

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  8. I was fascinated by your separated cycle lanes in the Netherlands. So much safer there. I would never cycle on the roads in London.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  9. Het posten van allerlei verschillende soorten fietsen zou een leuke serie kunnen zijn..
    Die voorste fiets is ook best een beetje bijzonder met dat frame.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  10. there nothing like bike transportation. I hope they don't go to electric bikes. Now the basket is really cool. I guess I'm a sports cyclist as I ride for fitness but I don't have the sporty clothes.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  11. Ah, but see, I use a road bike with clip on shoes. I'd have to bring my "heels" with me. :-)

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  12. Interesting. I can't even walk in high heels, much less attempt to ride a bicycle!

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  13. Dat herinner ik nog goed Wij fietste van Wijchen naar Nijmegen in een grote groep in harde wind, regen, hagel sneeuw. Was wel gezellig sneeuwballen gooien onderweg :)

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  14. What a clever device to transport a small animal. I used to regularly visit a Copenhagen bicycle site but now must try to find and visit it again.

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
  15. I found it again!! Here it is; go visit if you aren't familiar with it_
    http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen