The Netherlands
Population: 16,5 million
Bikes: 18 million
New bikes sold a year: 1.7 million
Bikes stolen a year: between 1.2 and 1.4 million
But the number of bikes in the Netherlands has been at that level, thus stable for years, so what explains this gap? According to the chairman of the Dutch Bicycle Union it boils down to this:
- broken bikes are taken off the streets by city services
- abandoned bikes are taken off the streets to be recycled. Read: shredded.
- illegally parked bikes are taken off the streets and are registered to be picked up by the rightful owners, but that hardly ever happens. If so, they are shredded, including perfectly new bikes. Suggestion: resell them.
- Gangs in vans drive around neighborhoods, pick up parked & locked bikes and drive them abroad to be sold. Mostly in Germany and Belgium. It sounds odd, but I’ve experienced the bad end result of this twice myself.
[Update: a related story]
Filed under: amsterdamize, photos | Tags: amsterdam, bikes, commute, dutch, photos
Rush hour has officially started.
Tres Chic.
Checking hair, effortlessly.
Back from the office, presumably on his way to pick up the kids.
No comment needed.
Pause & chat before going seperate ways.
SUV’s parking at Vondelpark playground.
See more in the City Cycle Chic Fabric photoset.
Filed under: amsterdamize, photos | Tags: amsterdam, bikelife, bikes, citylife, people, photos
Cycle powered Tourist Info Center on Leidseplein. Free maps and help with directions. Fine work.
A bike taxi easing through.
It’s pretty clear who lives at nr 4a. Striking color match between bike and street art.
See more here.
Let me introduce you to the part of my neighborhood that is the Westerpark. Part park, part cultural center, with plenty of options for leisure (former and restored gas factory buildings). A sanctuary to fall back on, for your quiet place in the middle of town.
After leaving the supermarket this evening, I felt it was just too nice outside to go straight home. Quickly I turned myself around and pedaled two blocks to ooze into the park. I sat my ass in the grass, then fell asleep for half an hour. That helped.
Upon leaving, I stopped to have a look at a few installations of the public outdoor art exhibition “Homo Urbanus – Homo Sapiens?” by Lithuanian artists. So, standing there, I couldn’t help but take out my camera. However intruiging the art was, soon enough my lens was catching other subjects (surprise, surprise):
I’m sure you’ll forgive me for this display of live bike art 
.
