De fiets

I've been in the Netherlands now for nearly 3 weeks and have had a chance to make several observations about life over here. One of the most remarkable things about this country is the prevalence of bicycles.

Bicyclces come in all shapes and sizes. The most common bikes that you see are 1- or 3-speed models, often with backpedal brakes instead of hand brakes. Mountain bikes are somewhat less common than they are in Canada. Then there are bikes with unique designs intended to make them easier to fold up or transport. Many other bikes are motorized to varying degrees. All in all, there is a great variety in the two-wheeled transportation available in this country.

The Netherlands also is a very bike-friendly place. Cyclists aren't treated as second-class citizens on most roads, and bike paths (fietspad) are found along most major routes.

If there is a lesson to be learned, it is that, in combination with a good public transportation system, it is possible to use cars a lot less than in North America. I should confess that the Netherlands is the most densely populated country in Europe, and 19th in the world, behind a raft of small islands, so travel distances are fairly short. Still, despite the fact that the condition of my bike Vincent leaves something to be desired, I can still get around easily and comfortably.

I've been keeping track of who much distance I have put on my bike and so far I have reached about 160 km, in just over two weeks.

Take Off

This will be my last post from Winnipeg as I fly to Toronto, then Amsterdam, at 6:50am Tuesday morning for my Intermenno adventure in the Netherlands. Last preparations have been made: I have a book to read on the plane (Dostoyevsky's The Demons , also sometimes translated as The Possessed), some overpriced rainwear from MEC, and the like.

Future posts should be full of tales of the Dutch and their passion for cheese and canals, and my travels.