Bikes

Did you know that there are bikes in the Netherlands?  Yeah.  They're everywhere. EVERYWHERE.  Bikes are so prominent there that I felt that they deserved their own post.

I was told that there were bikes all over there, and that most people get around by bike, but I was not prepared for the plethora of them.  Bikes of all different sizes, shapes, condition, and color populated sidewalks, roads, trains, buses, and garages.  Some were made for delivery of pizza, and others with front carts to carry children from one place to another (just ask Josje what she thinks of those).  People of all ages rode them, and I was impressed with the dexterity they had as they floated around corners and coasted down hills.  They seemed to glide across the streets with little to no sound.  Once in a while, we would hear a bell warning us of their approach, but mostly they swooshed by with minimal sound and a slight breeze.

Bikes really rule the small streets there.  We had to cross intersections carefully so that we would not get run over, as barely anyone slows down or moves around those walking.  There is a distinct bike lane on many roads, as well as a walking lane (sometimes marked by painted footprints).  We dared not walk in the bike lanes!  There were days that I wanted to ride the bike that the houseboat owner offered, but I was afraid that I would run into someone more nimble than I.

There are many bike paths in the Netherlands, and it is quite possible to bike from one city to the next.  In fact, we know of two cousins who do that regularly.  I could see myself doing that if I lived there.  My favorite excursion would be along the miles of bulb fields in the spring.  I would put a little basket on the front of my bike and use it for (almost) daily trips to the store.

A bike garage in Haarlem.  It can hold up to 5,000 bikes!

Dominoes delivery!

Josje's "favorite" bike. Haha