A picture is worth a thousand words, and most of the words I write tend to be rather cynical.
In an attempt to focus on something positive instead of banging on as usual about why cycling in the UK is so awful, here is the first of a series of photo-posts. The aim of the series is to show how people in the Netherlands enjoy and benefit from the cycle infrastructure — and to show how good we could have it, too.
This first instalment shows how Dutch families use the safe cycling conditions as an easy way to get around town. These photos don’t show rare occurrences — they’re all simply normal everyday scenes in the Netherlands.
And I didn’t say the f-word once!
You can find all the picture posts here.
The Alternative Department for Transport is written by, and the personal opinion of, 
The Alternative Department for Transport 
Last month we stimulated people to use good bicycle lights. Having good lights we made photographs of these people They are all posted on the sight of http://www.flickr.com/groups/fietsersbond-drechtsteden/pool/with/8155496153/#photo_8155496153
You”ll see people of all ages standing in front of a picture of the mt Ventoux. Have fun.,.
Hi William,
Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry it took so long to appear, WordPress assumed it was spam and I only just saw it!
Regarding bike lights, I know they’re legally required in the Netherlands, but do you know if there are minimum standards set, i.e. brightness, size of light-beam, etc.?
S.C.
As usual with the Dutch, there’s supposed to be a standard, but if you have some form of light on, it’s OK. The complete set of rules (in Dutch) is here: http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/fiets/vraag-en-antwoord/wat-zijn-de-regels-voor-fietsverlichting-en-reflectie-op-een-fiets.html
They have the best bike culture of the world
I am not allowed to say the f-word to my collegues anymore: I am too excited about fietsen. That is cycling in english…..
They actually cannot fathom what’s extraordinary about these pictures. It’s not culture, it’s just normal, like walking or taking a shower.
yes, FIETSEN is normal. Now it only has to become as normal to the Brits as having a bath , eating a crumpet or going to the chippie.
Last photo is brill. “Whaddayou looking at?! Eat my check shorts!”
Great post.
Love these. Thanks for sharing.