A boat and bike trip in the Netherlands
Reading Time: 10 minutes Boat and Bike tours are popular in Europe. We tried it for a few days and were positively impressed: while you travel, your hotel travels with you.
Cycling in the Netherlands
Densification in Dutch villages: how does that look like?
Reading Time: 5 minutes The Netherlands needs to be really smart with its space. Many villages have grown and added many homes around the old core. Here are some examples of urban densification.
The incredible service of the Dutch railways to return my backpack within three hours
Reading Time: 4 minutes Last Saturday I took the train of the Dutch Railways (NS) from a small town north of Leiden to Aardenhout south of Haarlem. It is only a 13 minute ride, including a stop in Hillegom, centre of the Dutch flowerbulb industry. The flowers are currently in full bloom and the waft of Hyacints is all over, outside of the small towns. Bikes on trains You have a great view on the fields from the slightly elevated train tracks and I was moving a bit between the left and the right side of the train to get the best views. I [Read more…]
7 Gorgeous Bike and Pedestrian Bridges in the Netherlands
Reading Time: 6 minutes This blog about bridges appeared earlier but after Brent Toderian retweeted it last week, I thought it was time to update it. I added two bridges and updated some of the text. I have also added the architect and the estimated cost of each bridge so you can compare it somewhat with the infrastructure that is built in your own municipality. Bridges as an image of a city Netherlands’ cities have been building some fantastic bike infrastructure in the last decade. Bridges that look more than just a utilitarian crossing over a river or road. Cities don’t always chose the [Read more…]
“Dafne Schippers” Bridge Ramp Built over a School
Reading Time: 3 minutes Mark Wagenbuur wrote about it already a while ago when the bridge was being constructed, but now the new Dafne Schippers bridge in the Netherlands is officially in use. The bridge crosses the important Amsterdam-Rijn canal, connecting Amsterdam’s harbours with its hinterland in Europe. The canal is a considerable barrier and with a growing number of people living across the canal, this bridge was needed as part of the bike route from Leidsche Rijn (I loosely call it a suburb) to Utrecht Centre. The Amsterdam Rijn canal is a 72 km waterway and opened only in 1952. The part north [Read more…]
Rain sensors to adjust bike signals before it rains
Reading Time: 2 minutes Although it doesn’t rain that often when I want to bike, I do try to plan around a rain shower if possible when there is even a threat of rain. One of my best sources is the weather radar at the Environment Canada website. By estimating the speed of the incoming rain from the 7 images displayed, I can usually work around getting soaked. Rain sensors in the Netherlands are going to help getting you home dry. Rain sensors installed Netherlands’ cities installed rain sensors already a few years ago. When they detect rain, the computer adjusts traffic signals in [Read more…]
Dutch City of Leeuwarden About to Toss Out 1000 Traffic Signs
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Dutch try to use as few traffic signs as possible. The City of Leeuwarden found another 1000 to throw out.
The Unknown Amsterdam by Bike – Part 2
Reading Time: 6 minutes Last week, we started cycling to Amsterdam north and checked out some great places. This week we continue the trip along the waterfront.
The Unknown Amsterdam by Bike – part 1
Reading Time: 6 minutes Amsterdam is more than canals and coffee shops. We are going to explore the highlights of Amsterdam North by bike. It is not what you expect…
Cycling to the Quintessential Dutch Windmills
Reading Time: 6 minutes Not far from Haarlem and Amsterdam, the Zaanse Schans is a bike-able destination. We checked out 17th century saw mills, old farms, Dutch skies, a ferry and passed a waste facility that looked like a luxury hotel.