Filed under: amsterdamize, photos | Tags: amsterdam, amsterdamize, bicycle, photos
“Almost entirely destroyed, but fortunately still locked!” – Originally uploaded by moosterbroek on Flickr
This weekend was indeed what it promised to be, highly enjoyable (family), ultimately relaxing (in nature) and mind clearing (much needed). Here are just a few snap shots:
Filed under: amsterdamize, photos | Tags: amsterdam, cyclechic, photos, rain
Yesterday I was in London for the day and the city lived up to its reputation, the rain never stopped (I know, the weather will never cease to be a topic of conversation, sigh). I saw a few bikes parked, spotted one daring city cyclist on the road near Wimbledon park, but despite these nasty conditions, that particular British cycle commuter had sort of a Dutch touch to his demeanor: no rain jacket, no poncho, no nothing.
After my return last night I mentioned to a friend that a whole day of non-stop rain is rarely the case in the Netherlands. Yes, it rains a lot, too, but it comes in spades. One moment you’d feel like going to the beach, next thing you know the place is flooding. In short, usually you can’t count on any prediction.
‘Usually’ is the segway to this part of the post. Because, funny thing, today London’s climatic seizure moved here. Jolly. This of course gave me an opportunity to do a photo series on Amsterdam cyclists in the rain:
Ride it out, brother.
Tucked in at the front, cycle chic at the wheel.
Another high tech Amsterdamize solution.
She only ‘popped the hood’ on her sweater.
Optical illusion, it’s still raining.
See more in the Amsterdamize : Soaking Cycling photo set.
Filed under: amsterdamize classics, photos, special | Tags: 70s, amsterdamclassics, amsterdamize, classics, cyclechic, history, photos
My last post got me inspired to do some more research. Feeling like a history major again, I quickly opened up the online image library of the Amsterdam City Archive. Back in my college days, all was done by hand for lack of interwebs and/or no online access to anything. Now, of course, it’s like being a kid in a candy store. And I wasn’t disappointed.
The image library is vast, huge, enormous. Sophisticated search options instantly got me what I was looking for. Then more, more…sure enough, 2 days later, I’m still browsing.
My catch so far: about 250 bicycle related or non-related, but with bicycle as side-kick, photos. Ranging from 1895 to 2007.
Having gone through them all, (legally!) downloaded them all, tagged them all, named them all, a few assumed and promoted aspects of the history of bicycles in the Netherlands are totally confirmed now, no myths, no exaggerations.
Since its invention the Dutch have embraced the bicycle completely (whether general usage was up or down) and started using it for work (commute/cargo), leisure, family, events, celebrations, rich or poor, etc etc. It hasn’t changed one bit. More volume now, but same attitude, same pragmatism, same no-nonsense, same feel for style (or just disregard for necessity to wear something else), the same joy for riding.
Alright, I’ve decided to gradually put them all up, working from back to front, starting at the turn of the 19th century, coining this series ‘Amsterdamize Classics’. For this first post, however, I wanted to pick a decade that I have some familiarity with…thus bringing you the Cycle Chic Jive of the 70′s.
A few from this batch:
1975, girl on Dam Square. Photo by Ed van der Elsken.
1970, corner of Eerste Laurierdwarsstraat and Eerste Rozendwarsstraat, two friends pedaling off into town. Photo by the Amsterdam City Archive.
1975, Vijzelgracht, gotcha! Photo by Ed van der Elsken.
1979, Reguliersbreestraat, view from Rembrandt Square, a time when cars were still allowed there, rush hour for all. Photo by Ed van der Elsken.
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, commute, cyclists, photos, traffic
Friends speeding up while continuing their conversation.
Motorists envious for at least 10 seconds. Cycle Chic alert.
Utility ways of Amsterdam cyclists, man or woman.
Speed & practicality.
Resting easy at bike traffic light & turning right on red.
Tourists rolled into frame from the pavement, passed the traffic light (no biggie), but still too scared or oblivious to use the bike lane, plus blocking the other bike lane…what MORE does a city need to do to make it easy? Ten seconds later I saw the bloke crossing at the exact time that the cars started pulling up, and he quickly had to jump back. *Sigh*.
Filed under: amsterdamize, photos | Tags: amsterdam, perspective, photos, tourists, visitors
I think it’s fascinating to know how people visiting Amsterdam view this quirky town. I talk to many of them (I like to think) and I hear a wide variety of insights, bold stories and impressions in general (which has me tied in knots sometimes, attempting to debunk some myths 
). Anyhoo, one of my favorite online activities is going through the pictures they post online. Either shot with broad strokes or with a fine sense for details, they expose what truly inspires them, almost saying to me: ”Do you even realize how special this town is?”
Yes, these pictures amplify and sustain the reason I started this blog: I won’t take it for granted anymore.
Front Seat Driver, originally uploaded by marcus_a.
“After a super early morning bus ride to the airport, we finally arrived in Amsterdam. Walking the streets and getting a sense of the surroundings was hard. Everything looked the same. building, coffee shops, and people riding on bicycles everywhere. With that said, it was a pleasant feeling to know that people didn’t always need to drive gas gusseler to get around.”
Biking, originally uploaded by sevennine.
“What would a trip to Amsterdam be without biking around the city? I don’t know. My buddy (a head of me) went for a little photo excursion via bike. I with Toronto was more bike-friendly.”
Bikepooling, originally uploaded by gussifer.
Gazelle, originally uploaded by Alex280370.
Amsterdam morning rush II, originally uploaded by frenzypic.
“most people are biking in the morning to get to the office or the kindergarden”
Bikes are widely used in Amsterdam, originally uploaded by rayuma.
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.
Filed under: amsterdamize, photos | Tags: amsterdamize, bikelane, people, photos, roomwithaview
Finally I found some time to shoot pics, not from the hip on my bike, but some steady ones from the window of a house I’m temporarily sitting for. Not all crisp and sharp, but that’s mainly because most Dutch cycle commuters ride so fast (and my video camera’s still capabilites are just barely acceptable)! Yes, fast, on sit-up-and-beg bikes, with kids, on cargo bikes and even cycle chicness won’t slow them down . This post is also meant as a mirror for the more than silly premise of the previous one.
How to move a bike cargo carriage…here you go.
Classic moment: the man on the sidewalk is about to make a classic mistake, edging to cross the bike path without looking back first. The cyclists had already spotted his naive momentum and anticipated in a way that almost naturally avoided a collision, which is hard to imagine with an untrained eye.
Cars and other traffic respect the nr 1 mode of transportation. They have to, they’re outnumbered…and cyclists themselves.
This is downtown Amsterdam, mind you. Don’t even start with “Oh, that looks dangerous, no helmets!”
SUV (Super Utility Velo) & SUM (Superbly Utilizing Mom).
Left pic: Work never stops, but you look so much cooler answering your phone while biking, stopping on the sidewalk, flipping out your papers and be at total ease. Try that while driving a car. No contest.
Right pic: Mom coasting comfortably with 2 in total Cycle Chic style.
More here.
Filed under: amsterdamize, photos, special | Tags: amsterdamize, photos, taxibike, wedding
It’s not only cute, it makes total sense to me.
Or you bring your own cycle chicness..
The bride is making sure everybody is comfortable.
Ready to go to the wedding reception/party.
