In the Netherlands, especially in the major cities, they actually use their bikes everyday: going to the supermarket, bringing their kids to daycare, or even having a date. It's the counterpart of what automobiles are in America.
The Dutch bicycling culture is one of the many aspects that reflect Dutch pragmatism in daily life. Their reasoning is both simple and practical. Riding a bike gives them the physical exercise which is integrated in their daily routine. This also saves time and money from monthly fees to the gym and as well as the money to pay for public transportation.
Children are taught to ride bikes very early and as soon as they can go to primary school. They go on separate bikes alongside their parents each day to go to school. It is also interesting to note that the Dutch are not as over-protective as other countries, such as let's say the US or Canada where everyone needs to wear a helmet. I do not see anyone wear helmets here. Not even children or babies. Babies as small as 8 months I've also seen being brought in sidecars or in small seats in front of their mothers. I also see dating couples sharing one bike: where the lady usually sits on the back seat sideways (ouch!). Some even bike as long as 20 kilometers daily to work. That is around an hour of biking I think. They are pretty tough and their sturdy, muscular bodies show it. Drinking a lot milk and having cheese sandwiches everyday contributes a lot to this remarkable physique.
By the way, did you know that some Europeans have been doing cycling trips in the Philippines lately?
2 comments:
This maybe impossible here in our country but this is what we aim for in the bike advocacy group where I belong, the Firefly Brigade.
I do my part by biking to work daily.
In 1983 I cycled throught the Netherlands on a big tour. The luxury of cycling in this country is the cycle lane that are everywhere. One main reason other countries do not cycle is the hilly geography. When I reach Germany cycling slowed down and was much harder.
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