Why The Netherlands Is Incredibly Well-Designed

How The Netherlands Is Incredibly Well Designed

Apart from the colorful bulb fields, the serene windmills, the calm canals, and of course – the cheese, if there is something Holland is known for, it’s what creates the Dutch culture shock, aka the millions of bicycles that grace the country.

Yes!! The Netherlands is famous for its bike paths. Although small, the country is still pretty populated; The Netherlands is the most populated with 17.4 million people with most of its inhabitants living in the larger cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Today, we’re going to give you a sense of what living in the Netherlands looks like and if moving to the Netherlands is worth it.

There are about 23 million bikes roaming the streets of the Netherlands. This means there are 1.3 bikes for every person. With all the bicycles and a pretty reliable transport system, you get an amazing public transport which is both smooth and efficient. So how is it that cycling took up the prime spot?

The Dutch infrastructure is so well thought of, that getting around the place on a mere bike will come across as the easiest and best means to commute. They have done a stupendous job at executing some of the best infrastructures in the world, which is rightly complemented by the scenic beauty the country has to offer. With this in hand, this video will hopefully provide you the pros and cons of living in the Netherlands.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction to the Netherlands
0:42 – The Dutch cycling habit
1:41 – Advantages of cyclers in the country
2:24 – How the Dutch biking culture set in
3:46 – Fines for not following the rules
4:34 – Conclusion

#Netherlands #ClimateChange #Pollution

Every country boasts of its heritage and architecture, but the Netherlands is totally on a different scale. When you think of the Netherlands, it strikes you as a country that has a class of its own. It should not surprise you that some countries around the world look up to the Netherlands for its stellar infrastructure. Now, you should know that anything to do with infrastructure is a reflection of how safe and secure one feels. And the Netherlands aces at providing this. Apart from the colorful bulb fields, the serene windmills, the calm canals, and of course – the cheese, if there is something Holland is known for, it’s for the millions of bicycles that grace the beautiful country. Yes!! The Netherlands is famous for its bike paths. Although small, the country is still pretty populated; While Monaco is the least populated country among the EU countries, with just 18,960 inhabitants, the Netherlands is the most populated with 17.4 million people. Did you know that there are about 23 million bikes roaming the streets of the Netherlands? This means there are 1.3 bikes for every person. To give you a better perspective, the US has just 0.3. So with all the bicycles and a pretty reliable transport system, what do you get? A kickass public transport which is both smooth and efficient. So how is it that cycling took up the prime spot? The Dutch have built a vast network of cycle paths to make cycling safer and inviting. These cycle paths are well marked, have smooth surfaces, display necessary signs for those on two wheels, and are wide enough to allow side-by-side cycling too. The paths in most cities are completely cut off from motorized traffic. However, if space is of concern, both must share. You can see signs along the way, showing an image of a cyclist with a car behind accompanied by the words Cars are guests’. As a biker you have absolutely no need to worry at roundabouts too; those using pedal power have priority here. so you can cycle around a roundabout while cars (almost always) wait for you to pass. Quite the royal treatment don t you think?? The idea that "the bike is right" is such an alien concept for tourists that it takes some time to adapt as a newbie on the block. So how did the biking culture set in?? Dutch kids are immersed in the world of cycling, way before they can even walk. As babies or toddlers, they travel in special seats on "bakfiets" or cargo bikes. These seats are often equipped with canopies to protect them from the surroundings. As they grow, the kids take to their bikes and comfortably ride alongside adults on cycle lanes that are wide enough to do so. As young people aren’t allowed to drive unsupervised until they are 18, cycling offers Dutch teenagers an alternative form of freedom. The state also has a big role to play in instilling this eco-friendly and fitness culture into the youngsters. Cycling proficiency lessons often feature in the school curriculum. All schools encourage bikes and provide ample parking space with required security measures. You might be amazed to know that the central train station provides underground parking for about 10,000 bikes. Electronic counters at the entrance reveal the vacant slots available to park your bike. Cyclists are accommodated in the way motorists are elsewhere, with electronic counters at the entrance clocking in the slots that are available. We cannot emphasize enough how One can find areas to park your bike just about anywhere in The Netherlands – be it outside schools, offices, or shops. All you have to do is just lock your bike up in the designated spot. If you chain it up in the wrong place, your bike will be impounded and you will be fined 25 euros before you can get it back. When a country offers you so much, the least you could do is abide by the rules. Just as any motorist, you too may be fined for riding recklessly, in the wrong lane or for jumping red lights. Police, who by the way are too often on bikes, may issue a 60-euro ticket if you are caught without any lights at night. You may have to shell out a little more if you do not sport the mandatory bike reflectors that come under Dutch law. Of course, accidents still happen, and when it involves a cyclist the motorist is expected to cover at least 50% cost of the damages that are suffered by the cyclist and then his bike. The Dutch infrastructure is so well thought of, that getting around the place on a mere bike will come across as the easiest and best means to commute. They have done a stupendous job at executing some of the best infrastructures in the world, which is rightly complemented by the scenic beauty the country has to offer. Do share your thoughts on what you think about the Netherlands infrastructure. Make sure to like, share, and subscribe to the channel. If you liked this video, you may be interested to watch our other video titled Why Dubai Needs to Fix Its Infrastructure Problem…" we ll be back with more.. thanks for watching.