Cycling and Cars

This is the Netherlands, it’s flat, people cycle – everywhere. I’ve been here for two months and I now cycle regularly. I love it, the relaxation, the fun and the universality of it. It’s just something that everyone does.

I went back to the UK for a week and took my bike with me. Going for a long ride I realised I had forgotten the difference with Holland:

In England you are either going up or down, you are never flat. That’s why the Dutch don’t seem to develop muscles when cycling.

In England there are cars – everywhere. (More coming on this!)

In England there are hedges! You can’t see the country you are cycling through. In Holland you have views, great views, even if they are flat!

When I first came here, as a car driver, I was shocked by the danger – to me. The culture is completely different, and difficult to get used to. If you are going to spend any time here you need to get used to it quickly.

1. No matter what happens you, the driver, are at fault. The law states so. This quickly becomes obvious. Cyclists just cycle wherever they want and totally ignore cars. You have to watch out for them or you will have an accident and then you are in trouble!
2. Mostly cycles are on dedicated cycle paths, safe from you, but there are real problems when they cross each other. Generally the cycle paths have priority and are marked as such. This is, for me, a real issue on the exits to roundabouts where I expect to drive unhindered. I was amazed to see that you have to stop, on the roundabout, and let cyclists through. This is dangerous for cars!
3. Often the cyclists were making eye contact with the driver, as they thought! I am in a right hand drive, British, car and they were looking at the passenger thinking they had been seen. Wow, eventually I realised what was happening and I found I had to look everywhere.

I thought I was home and dry until I realised I had an equal problem with other car drivers. Holland still works on the law that cars coming from the right have priority, even if it is a local road. I had a number of close shaves thinking I was safe on a main road.

There’s a lot to understanding other cultures, but once you get there it is great fun. I am getting fitter and browner in the summer sun cycling everywhere. Perhaps Spain will be OK for cycling too – although I have heard the drivers there just completely ignore cyclists – maybe that’s why they don’t really exist.

We’ll see!

Join the Email List to get:

1. Regular updates on content posted on the site.
2. Regular email with thoughts and inspiration for men.
3. Free eBooks when published.
4. Special content.
5. Discount on products.

@earth_pilgrim @chetaurmila