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Street with bikes
No space for a garage, or money for a car? Just use a bike and travel anywhere, anytime for much less!How the Dutch do it
Save money and the environment at the same time, that is!
The Dutch bike everywhere. Of course, it helps that the country is flat, flat, flat. And, this passion for biking is helped along by the terrible traffic, impossible parking and high cost of fuel. Not to mention the lovely scenery and favorable traffic laws. Apparently, if you hit a bicyclist with your car, you are automatically at fault. This looming liability really raises one's awareness while driving. For instance, along most roads, there is a second 'voetpad" or footpad, used by walkers and bikers. In some areas, there are 3 roads, one for autos, one for bikes and a third for walkers. Thus, one quickly learns not only to look both ways before crossing, but to look at least 3 times both ways.
The bikers can seem to come out of no where. You're lucky to get a little ring/ding warning before they bear down upon you, hell bent on running you over. Look lively and be prepared to jump out of the way.
But, be careful that you don't jump onto the grass borders that line most of these picturesc byways.
Bikes outside tavern
Don't drink and drive, but is it illegal to drink and ride? Since dog owners here pay a special tax, they feel no obligation whatsoever to pick up after their pets.
"Let the county do it, don't we pay for it already?" Thus, 'dog bombs' are a constant threat to anyone foolish enough to walk on the grass. Since dogs are a well loved companion to many, to walk across any grass area is to invite an odiferous and unwanted substance to accompany you henceforth. Forced to walk across a grass pathway? Be prepared to dance your way across, choosing your steps as carefully as any ballerina ón-pointe.
But, putting these perils aside, walking or biking anywhere in the Netherlands can be a rewarding experience. Even watching those doing the biking can be fun, since you'll see the gamet of characters: Children going to school on colorful bicycles with matching side bags, housewives with their groceries firmly stowed in handle baskets, businessmen with their leather briefcases, chic business women in stockings, skirt and high heels, teenagers in gaggling groups, old folks meandering home. People even transport the most unlikely things: today I saw one young fellow with his new exercise machine strapped to his trusty bike! Only in the Netherlands do
you also get such a wide variety of speciality bikes. Here's a few of my favorites. Just remember to look out for bikes when you drive. Let's share the road with those courageous enough to bike in the US, where there are no special paths or advantageous traffic laws. Be sure to check not just for oncoming cars, but for oncoming bikes.
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Suzanne
non-member comment
How Fun!
Hi Connie! I'm just now having the time to catch up on your blogs. Love, love, love the pics and it sounds as if you are having so much fun. Keep sharing--it's awesome. Blessings to you!