how the Dutch reclaimed the streets from the car

my first trip as an adult to the Netherlands had me in awe at the bike lanes and bike paths, and the sheer number of people riding bikes for transport.

i had thought, until now, that that was just the way it is over there, that there had always been this respect for cycling and cyclists. however, after stumbling on this very thorough website, A View From The Cycle Path, it’s clear that the Dutch made a clear effort to reclaim the streets once the sheer volume (and number of road deaths) had reached a critical point.

if you’ve ever wondered why more towns and cities aren’t car-free or how the Dutch have it so good (not everywhere granted, but in many places), then have a look at the site and in particular these two articles about the ‘second revolution’ and on why very few people use cargo bikes in Assen.

Warning – this video shows people riding without helmets…