Another view of my commute, showing some of the other people cycling at the same time. There are always quite a few, and they cause a bit of a traffic jam on the cycle path sometimes.
I arrive in Groningen in time for 8 am, and leave for home again after 5 pm. It's a 63 km (39 mile) round trip, and on the day of making the video the total time recorded on the bike computer for both directions together was two hours and 8 minutes. I had a headwind in both directions. I dream of the day when I actually have a tailwind in both directions...
A few days later...
Finally I managed an average of over 32 km/h (20 mph) in both directions, on the same day as I made the video with the open bridge. Since then I've done it even quicker again in a borrowed velomobile.
Nice vid - and good to see some crowded cycle routes.
Now, I know you're an optimist, but you do know that McCracken's First Rule of Cycling is that you never, ever, ever get a tailwind in both directions. Sorry. Nope. Life's just not like that!
Oh, don't talk to me about headwinds. While it took me 58 minutes to get to work this morning, when the air was nearly still, it took nearly 1:10 to get home due to the headwind. Oh, and it had decided to rain too, though luckily only lightly.
I agree, though. It's basically quite pleasant cycling into the rain. Well, pleasant unless it goes on and on and on and it's horribly cold at the same time.
There are more examples of getting priority here. It's generally the case that you get priority unless crossing a very major road. What do you mean "how did it come about" ? You mean this isn't normal elsewhere ? ;-) It's just an example of thinking about cycling seriously.
Tim, I've been asked a few times how I make my videos. Nothing at all fancy. The camera is always hand held. I've just put a description of the process on my other blog.
The positive stuff Three types of safety - the importance of subjective safety. Dutch Safety Figures - Cyclists in the Netherlands are the safest in the world. Sustainable safety - the principles which have lead to Dutch roads, streets and cycle-paths being safe. A million per hour - The scale of cycling in the Netherlands is enormous. Dutch people make more cycle journeys each day than the entire English speaking world put together. What Works - examples of policy, infrastructure and campaigning which have made a different in the Netherlands. Superhighways - "Cycling superhighways" are not a new idea in the Netherlands Cycle Paths - Well designed cycle paths benefit all cyclists, regardless of experience or speed Segregation without cycle paths - you don't always need a cycle path to keep cyclists safe from motorists History - how the Netherlands got to where it is now Before and After - views of places before and after they have been transformed for cycling Directness - examples of prioritising cycling Traffic Lights - examples of how cyclists can be prioritised and kept safe at traffic light junctions. Roundabouts - roundabouts in the Netherlands have one very important feature to learn from: They keep cyclists away from motor vehicles. This is far more important than the differences in geometry vs. roundabouts in other countries. Gritting of cycle paths - dealing with snow and ice. Children - It may seem hackneyed, but children really are the future. If they can't cycle safely then where will future adult cyclists come from ? School travel Cycle Parking Cycle Parking at railway stations Health effects of cycling Road Works - cyclists are thought of in the Netherlands Commuting - Commuting cyclists are interesting, but they're not the only people who should ride bikes. Anatomy of a reliable everyday bicycle - the common features of bikes used by nearly every person every day in the Netherlands. Speed - a post specifically for those who imagine that everyone in the Netherlands is slow
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Come and see for yourself how policy and infrastructure in Assen and Groningen have lead to the high cycling modal share in this area:
We make our living by organizing cycling holidays and selling quality bicycle components.
A cyclist in a cycling family living in the capital of the cycling province of the world's greatest cycling country. I was born in the UK, lived for a bit in New Zealand and now live in the Netherlands. I do varied work, running a web shop, making baskets and as a cycling tour guide.
My email address is david@hembrow.eu
5 reacties:
Nice vid - and good to see some crowded cycle routes.
Now, I know you're an optimist, but you do know that McCracken's First Rule of Cycling is that you never, ever, ever get a tailwind in both directions. Sorry. Nope. Life's just not like that!
What do you use to film these videos, David? I'd like to do something similar, but specialist helmet cams etc. look quite pricey.
Headwind and driving rain coming home today. If your mood's right though, it just makes you feel alive. ;-)
I for one would be in interested in hearing more about how the (dumbstrikingly sensible) bicycle priority at junctions thing came about.
Oh, don't talk to me about headwinds. While it took me 58 minutes to get to work this morning, when the air was nearly still, it took nearly 1:10 to get home due to the headwind. Oh, and it had decided to rain too, though luckily only lightly.
I agree, though. It's basically quite pleasant cycling into the rain. Well, pleasant unless it goes on and on and on and it's horribly cold at the same time.
There are more examples of getting priority here. It's generally the case that you get priority unless crossing a very major road. What do you mean "how did it come about" ? You mean this isn't normal elsewhere ? ;-) It's just an example of thinking about cycling seriously.
Tim, I've been asked a few times how I make my videos. Nothing at all fancy. The camera is always hand held. I've just put a description of the process on my other blog.
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