Wrap-Up Reflection

As excited as I am to go home, I am sad to leave a place where I can travel everywhere by bike and train. Being in cities that feel built for people is really inspiring. I never thought I would enjoy urban areas the way I’ve enjoyed the cities we’ve traveled to in The Netherlands. Building cities around people, with a focus on public space, accessibility, transportation, and many other aspects, is necessary to foster connection and happiness for the people living there. It just seems as if everything makes sense here. I experience life the way I want to here, without barriers to accessibility and planning. 

Here are some less specific photos that did not make the cut for planned-out blog posts, but still deserve to be highlighted because there are so many amazing infrastructure additions that make the Netherlands an amazing place to cycle.

First off, this gorgeous color and grade change makes moving from road to bike path easy and obviously demonstrates where different transportation types are supposed to be. 

Next, is just another example of the bike paths that span the rural areas throughout the Netherlands, allowing for accessibility to and from the city for people who would otherwise need to drive. (It’s so gorgeous).

This four-way cycle super highways intersection with NO stops or yield signs prevents crashes because cyclists must slow down and be more aware when turning and crossing to make sure no one is coming. 

A moped speed bump is quite fun to ride along on a bike but prevents mopeds from speeding down the bike paths and causing accidents. 

This seemingly random picture which is actually the above-ground area of an UNDERGROUND HIGHWAY!! What?! Yeah, I know… it’s crazy. Where did all the highway traffic go? Underground. What a genius way to bring space back to the people opposed to the cars. 

And lastly, the highlight of them all is the bike path going from a cycle bridge, over and around an elementary school, with a circular basketball court in the middle. The grade is perfect for cyclists, no need to expend too much energy whilst going uphill, plus it's gorgeous and uses a unique space, not found anywhere else. 

I hope I can remain enthusiastic about bike infrastructure and public transit. I want to plan places with people in mind, not cars or industry. I want to share my experiences with those around me and make others enthusiastic about the possibilities of well-planned towns and cities.