A bemusing article on urban cycling in the Netherlands, where the attitude on bicycles is oh so different:
Amsterdam bicyclists can be seen dressed very formally, like suit and tie for men, and dresses for women.
With or without any extra seats or foot-pegs for the extra riders, you will see 1 or 2 or even 3 extra passengers side-saddle, balancing precariously, standing, sitting, whatever it takes so they can hitch a ride with a buddy or parent. No Helmets EVER.
Almost all of the bicycles in Amsterdam are what I would call "beaters", which means they are beaten up, scraped, bent, out of tune, and have bad paint jobs. At the same time, all these beaters have these GIGANTIC security chains that look like they should be the chain on the anchor of an oil tanker ship. The ton of high tensile, military hardened steel in each security chain must be worth more than the bicycle it is keeping safe!
Lots and lots of pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment