Postcards from a City of Cyclists

So, I flew to Amsterdam from London, stayed in The Hague (“Den Haag”) for a week, then spent my Saturday back in the capital. Den Haag is the seat of the Dutch Parliament and boasts a highly service-oriented economy. The majority of residents are civil servants and diplomats — it is one of the major cities hosting the United Nations, home to many foreign embassies and the headquarters of large international businesses, and the location of the International Court of Justice.

One of the things I found most interesting about the Netherlands is its mode of transportation. I know, I know — out of the many fascinating aspects — the sex industry, the drug policy — why fixate on something so relatively… less exciting? But I simply couldn’t help snapping photos of the beautiful bicycles I came across in the Netherlands. Did you know that there are actually more bicycles than residents in the country? In Den Haag, 70% of journeys are made by pedal power. There are dedicated lanes and even traffic lights for cyclists. They even have two-tier bicycle parks that serve much the same purpose as our car parks!

Yes, all of this for bicycles!

Whether in heels or in suits, they pedal; with groceries or with children, they pedal; morning or night, they pedal; to the gym or to work, they pedal. Students pedal, the elderly pedal, postmen pedal, businessmen pedal… a woman in Chanel tweed pedals!

I cursed when she rode past and I wasn’t quick enough to press the shutter. Sigh — if only… the result would have been such a Scott Schuman moment.

Anyway, on to the other images.

The amount of effort they put into bicycles is (pun intended) impressive. It’s the same mentality the Japanese apply to preparing their bento boxes — if it’s something you use every day, you might as well have it in its most pleasing and beautiful form. Makes sense, doesn’t it? With that level of creativity, high-quality rubber, a flawless matte finish, and the most elegant wicker basket — what Chanel tweed? I would even pedal in my wedding dress!

(Alright, no. I didn’t really mean it.)

I’ll be posting more updates from Den Haag and Amsterdam over the next few days. For now, let me wallow in my gelatinous state while you admire this wonderful human-powered vehicle.

With love x