Cycling like a dutchman- New Yorker

[verticaldoug]

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/pe...ike-a-dutchman

easy read for a friday

[johnmdesigner]

My Dutch friend once explained the difference between Holland and America.
A Dutchman opens a tin of sardines and cuts his finger. "Damm, I really should be more careful next time."
An American opens a tin of sardines and cuts his finger. He dials 1-800-lawyer.

[teleguy57]

slight thread drift; stumbled on this a couple days ago and seems appropriate.

[paredown]

Good read on the 'Dutchman' piece.

I had to drive into Amsterdam, and did not have a clue about the 'bikes have priority' rules, and got a firm (but polite) talking to from a older Dutch woman cyclist, who explained the rules concisely, so I didn't make the same mistake again. (I think it involved making a right turn across a bike lane?)

It wasn't flagrant or stupid or put anyone in danger--it just violated the rules--and I had German plates on my car, so I needed to be educated!

[Spaghetti Legs]

Nice article; thanks for posting. Interesting to read how the Dutch took back their streets from the car culture in the 70’s.

[charliedid]

I'm sure I could get used to it as someone who has commuted 30+ years in a big city. I also enjoy the pace and mindset you get into when I ride our lakefront MUP but if I am honest I don't really want to ride bikes with that many people.

I realize it would be different if you grew up there and understood the rules of the road etc. but here most people suck at bikes when commuting.

It really doesn't appeal if I am honest. If Chicago ever got that dense with daily commuters on bikes I'd have to leave.

[Mattre]

"In the United States... I acknowledge a driver’s stopping with a little half-wave. Thank you for obeying the law and not killing me, I am saying."

Just realized I do this too.

Originally Posted by teleguy57

slight thread drift; stumbled on this a couple days ago and seems appropriate.

Interesting, that cleared a lot up.

[thwart]

There’s a gesture I make when I’m biking in the United States that, to me, encapsulates the status cyclists have in this country. Whenever I reach an intersection with a car approaching, I slow down to make sure I won’t be hit, and, even when I have the legal right of way—on a bike path, or when the car has a yield sign—I acknowledge a driver’s stopping with a little half-wave. Thank you for obeying the law and not killing me, I am saying.

Sounds awfully familiar.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by thwart

Sounds awfully familiar.

Indeed

[93KgBike]

Me too, plus:

When I am driving, I acknowledge people riding bikes on intersecting trajectories with a wave to say, "I see you and am following the law to keep you safe."

When I am riding, I call out to make my presence in the area known - like I do with bears in the woods,

When a driver is taking an action to help me I yell encouragements and gratitude, for caring enough to try and help keep me safe - even if they aren't actually accomplishing that.

When I am on a long enough bike-path, I forget about cars & trucks all together.

[kohagen]

Originally Posted by thwart

sounds awfully familiar.

+1

[kohagen]

There's such a difference in the way cyclists are treated in countries where many people cycle, like the Netherlands or Italy, and the United States, where relatively few do it. I never take for granted that drivers are going to do the right thing, even though most times they do. In part this is due to one driver telling me he'd run me over if I got in front of him. But I've also been hit twice by drivers making a left turn and failing to take enough time to see if it's really clear, or texting at a traffic light and waking up to see that the light is green, and not paying attention to cyclists or pedestrians crossing the street. I've broken a helmet in each of those interactions, along with two others in other biking mishaps, so I'm not about to follow the lead of the Dutch cyclists and ride bareheaded.

[merlinmurph]

Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs

Nice article; thanks for posting. Interesting to read how the Dutch took back their streets from the car culture in the 70’s.

That was the big takeaway for me, too. After the war, cars took over, crashes and deaths increased, and the people decided to do something about it.