How Amsterdam Became a Bicycle Paradise

Summary

The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, is renowned as a cyclist's haven with high safety levels, contrasting starkly with the US where cycling injuries are 20 times higher. Post-WWII, cars threatened to overtake Amsterdam, but protests and the 1973 oil crisis led to policies prioritizing bikes and pedestrians. The Traffic Circulation Plan of 1978 reduced car spaces and prioritized cyclists. Today, cycling is ingrained in Dutch culture, with a quarter of the population cycling daily, demonstrating the safety and power in numbers.

Takeaways

• 🚴‍♂️ The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, is renowned for being a cyclist's paradise with high safety levels.
• 🚗 The US has a significantly higher risk of injury for cyclists compared to the Netherlands.
• 📉 Amsterdam was on the verge of being dominated by cars, with streets becoming purely for traffic.
• 🚲 The number of bikes in Amsterdam decreased dramatically as the number of cars quadrupled between 1960 and 1970.
• 🏗️ City planners proposed radical changes like filling in canals and building expressways to accommodate cars.
• 🛑 Provo, an anarchist group, initiated the world's first bike and car sharing schemes to oppose car-centric urban planning.
• 🚫 The 1973 oil crisis led to a temporary ban on motor vehicles, which increased bicycle sales.
• 👮‍♂️ Protest groups like Stop De Kindermoord organized blockades to demand safer streets for children.
• 🛣️ The Dutch government introduced the Traffic Circulation Plan in 1978 to reduce car traffic and prioritize cyclists and pedestrians.
• 🏡 The concept of 'Woonerf' or 'living streets' was adopted to create safer zones where drivers must move at walking pace.
• 🔝 The increase in cyclists has made cycling safer due to a correlation between higher bike numbers and lower cyclist casualties.

Q & A

Why is The Netherlands considered a cyclists' paradise?

The Netherlands is known as a cyclists' paradise due to its high safety levels and extensive network of dedicated cycle paths, which make cycling a safe and convenient mode of transportation.

How does the likelihood of being injured while cycling in the US compare to the Netherlands?

In the US, you’re around 20 times more likely to be injured while riding a bike compared to the Netherlands.

What percentage of the working population in Amsterdam commutes by bike?

Nearly half of the working population in Amsterdam commutes daily by bike.

How did the Second World War impact mobility and the popularity of cars in Amsterdam?

Following the Second World War, the mobility and affordability of cars started changing people’s lives, leading to a decrease in the number of bikes and an increase in cars on the streets of Amsterdam.

What were some of the proposals by engineers and city planners to modernize Amsterdam for cars?

Engineers and city planners proposed ideas such as filling in the famous canals with concrete, leveling historic neighborhoods, and building expressways and monorails to modernize Amsterdam for cars.

What was the role of the anarchist group Provo in Amsterdam's cycling history?

Anarchist group Provo came up with the world’s first bike and car sharing schemes, contributing to the sentiment to keep Amsterdam light on cars.

What was the peak year for Dutch road fatalities, and what was the public response?

Dutch road fatalities peaked in 1972, leading to the formation of protest groups like Stop De Kindermoord, which organized blockades in areas with high accident rates.

How did the 1973 oil crisis affect transportation in Amsterdam?

The 1973 oil crisis led to a ban on motor vehicles one day a week, prompting a rise in bicycle sales and showing citizens how Amsterdam could look without cars.

What was the Traffic Circulation Plan of 1978, and how did it impact Amsterdam?

The Traffic Circulation Plan of 1978 aimed to make Amsterdam less attractive to drivers by closing certain streets to traffic, reducing car parking spaces, and giving priority to cyclists and pedestrians.

What is a 'Woonerf' and how does it contribute to Amsterdam's bike-friendliness?

A 'Woonerf' or 'living street' is a concept that reduces traffic casualties by designing zones to slow drivers down, sharing space with cyclists and pedestrians, and requiring drivers to move at walking pace.

What is the correlation between the number of cyclists on the road and safety?

Research shows a correlation between higher numbers of bikes on the road and lower casualties among cyclists, suggesting that a larger cycling community can lead to increased safety.

How important is it to get people on bikes in addition to infrastructure improvements?

Getting people on bikes is just as important as cycling lanes and car controls, as it contributes to a critical mass of cyclists that can lead to increased safety and a more bike-friendly culture.