Denmark v/s The Netherlands

Reflections on Biking in the Netherlands v/s Denmark

To be fair, I am glad we started with Denmark and then went to the Netherlands.

Biking in the Netherlands is different enough from Denmark to be intriguing and similar enough to be comfortable. Both Denmark and the Netherlands have their own cycling culture from their moments in history for embracing the cycle as a solution to the problems they were facing in their country.

Copenhagen is the cycling capital of the world and the Netherlands is the cycling country of the world. That's what I've been hearing from people during our travel.

The Danes have strict rules, regulations, and manners on the road, whereas for the Dutch cycling is a social activity. They are not too focused on the rigidity of life and it shows in their cycling culture. Cycling is a part of life and is heavily integrated in their culture (which is probably why they don't wear helmets or any protection). The entire cycling network is designed to accommodate this. Red colored asphalt paved roads highlight the cycle lanes in the Netherlands and automobiles are on brick paved roads which motivates slow travel zones. When cycling lanes intersect with automobile traffic, the cars and vehicles wait for the cyclists, clearly stating the status and power of a cyclist. The Dutch are much better at communicating with other cyclists on the road as well as pedestrains. Everyone makes eye-contact and is aware of one another. This makes a huge difference in increasing safety and awareness. The Danes are more focused on getting from one place to another as fast as possible. 

In Copenhagen the Danes rush past hastily on cycle lanes that are very much integrated with vehicular traffic. They wear helmets and have a wide variety of cycles. Cyclists huddle together at red lights and dissipate quickly, proving how the system is build for speed and commuting. Due to natural geographic constraints and the country's spatial aspects, there isn't a unified bike network. Even then there is a growing network connecting major cities to suburbs and smaller towns.

The prominent themes in these two countries then becomes a Danish strategy characterized by speed and efficiency versus a relaxed and flowing Dutch system focusing on safety. Both countries boast some of the safest streets in the world. The transportation infrastructure in both the countries prioritize cyclist access and safety over automobile access and speed (as opposed to roads in US). 

It was much safer to bike in Copenhagen than rest of the country. But I preferred biking in the Netherlands as the lanes and traffic were much easier to navigate. I enjoyed using both sides of the road if need be (all lanes were two way irrespective of the direction! This was a little too chaotic for some people).The vehicular traffic was much slower and cautious in the Netherlands as every driver is also a cyclist. This wasn't the case in Copenhagen or other Denmark cities. I had to be alert at times in the shared lanes. Cycling through the highways in Denmark was scary as the vehicles were zooming past at top speeds. Dedicated cycle lanes were almost non-existant in these areas. Since cycling is a social activity in the Netherlands, I could cycle next to my friends and it was completely accepted. The network is designed and connected so well that we could bike safely without fear of heavy traffic.

So which aspects are applicable to the US? Increasing access to shared bikes seems like a great way to start. The image of a cyclist/ biker would have to change from a racer type or a leisure type to more of an ordinary person on an urban bike. Campaigns to make cycling more accessible seems critical at all levels, the most important being neighborhood level. If cities embrace and prioritize having a well connected cycling network, it will definitely bring in more riders. In the end, its about creating human scale, traffic-calmed cities where even people who don't ride a cycle feel belong and welcomed.