Tag Archives: Netherlands

Shorts: traffic exam for children

Why wait until the driver’s licence? We can teach children safe cycling in school. In the Netherlands, the school children take a traffic exam on their bikes when they are just 11 years old. With a rite of passage on bicycles, are we surprised that the Netherlands is a cycling nation. The nature of a rite of passage is there is something to celebrate!

Cycling facts from the Netherlands where cycling is common

Australia comes in last in this country comparison of bicycle use as a percentage of total number of trips. This will be uncomfortable for many Australians, but Australia is certainly a LOW cycling country. Much will need to be done to encourage cycling in Australia. Few ride in Australia, so it is worth looking at a country where they do.

Traffic calming is everywhere in the Netherlands: Not Just Bikes

Streets should be designed on the assumption that people make mistakes and to minimise the resulting consequences of those mistakes. Traffic calming should be built into every street. It should not be possible to drive faster than the speed limit. Remember: behaviour follows infrastructure!

Section 2.3: Go Dutch: Propensity to Cycle Tool analysis

Men cycle more than women in the ACT: for every woman cycling, there are two men. In English speaking countries this is the norm, however, in Europe women and men are just as likely to ride. It could happen here, too.

The best cycling city: World Economic Forum ranking

A ranking of the best cities for cycling. Utrecht in the Netherlands tops the list. Rankings are popular for comparing cities for cycling. This one uses a basket model. It depends on how it is done, but the cities in the Netherlands always rank highly.