Tuesday, 4 March 2014

How The Dutch Got Their Cycle Paths

The Netherlands is the country with the most cyclists, but also the safest place for cycling in the world thanks to an excellent cycling infrastructure. The first cycle path was constructed in the city of Tilburg (my home town) in 1980. How did the Dutch get this network of bicycle paths?



YouTube link

(via Twisted Sifter)

6 comment(s):

Anonymous said...

.even more than China??

Gerard said...

Yes, even more than China. In China, on a population of over 1.351 billion, there are approximately 500.000.000 bicycles. So, 37% are cyclists.

In the Netherlands, which has a population of 16.6 million, there are 16.5 million bicycles. So, 99.1% are cyclists.

Frenchfarmer said...

The Netherlands didn't have a car manufacturing industry to sweeten the politicians.

Gerard said...

What makes you think the Netherlands didn't have a car manufacturing industry.

Dutch car brands are DAF, Spyker, Waaijenberg, Burton and Donkervoort.

Anonymous said...

I doubt the first path was made in 1980. I saw them in the 60s.

Anonymous said...

The first path is from 1885 in Utrecht. So 1980 is a bit young.

http://www.utrecht.nl/nieuws/artikel/nostalgische-naamborden-voor-oudste-fietspad-de-maliebaan/