BicycleDutch

Even in the dark and cold, cycling in Utrecht (NL) never stops. For my new post I filmed the evening rush hour at a busy intersection—hundreds of cyclists, smooth interactions, and barely a car in sight. Plus, an unexpected moment… Watch the video!

https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2025/02/05/evening-rush-hour-by-bike-in-utrecht/

Evening Rush Hour by Bike in Utrecht

This week, I’d like to share a video of the evening rush hour in the dark. We’re still in the darker months of the year here in the Netherlands. It will be a while before we can cycle home from wor…

BICYCLE DUTCH
Feb 4 at 11:00pmJetpack
Show threadbartosz 🚲🌳🐍🦀Feb 5
@BicycleDutch it looks impressive. Thanks for sharing. I noticed that in spite of big number of cyclists there are no conflict situations. Is it n due to law abading nature of Dutch people or does the infrastructure encourage compliant behaviour?
Show threadCyclesSmilesFeb 5
@btel @BicycleDutch 'law abiding nature of the Dutch' 😂
We coined the phrase ' gedogen' .....
No, seriously, the infrastructure helps tons. Still a lot of people cut corners ( literally and figuratively)
Show threadbartosz 🚲🌳🐍🦀Feb 5
@CyclesSmiles @BicycleDutch 😃 I see. Btw are mopeds allowed on bike paths in some circumstances?
Show threadCyclesSmilesFeb 5
@btel @BicycleDutch ✅ in some circumstances.
Usually when the path is not so busy, though it is up to the county to decide where and when.
NB some mopeds are legally equal to (some) ebikes here.
Show threadbartosz 🚲🌳🐍🦀Feb 5
@CyclesSmiles @BicycleDutch ok, thanks. I am planning a trip to Utrecht this year, so I hope to explore its cycling infrastructure with my own eyes 🙂
Show threadCyclesSmilesFeb 5
@btel @BicycleDutch do!!! Enjoy it.
You might try to hook up here on Mastodon with cycle advocates there too, if you fancy that....
@fietsria
Show threadArjen HaaymanFeb 5
@btel @CyclesSmiles @BicycleDutch with the rising popularity of fatbikes we see way fewer mopeds these days. I guess there's an advantage of seeing so many fatbikes #unpopularopinion
Show threadCycling on RailsFeb 5

@btel @BicycleDutch What strikes me most is that no traffic lights are needed despite the steady flow of cyclists.

It really highlights that traffic lights were born with cars, and will die with them. #CyclingInfrastructure

Show threadRobinFeb 5

@btel @BicycleDutch
Keep in mind that it's well marked, the cross-street has give-way markings ("sharks' teeth"), but also there is an underlying desire to not hit someone or be hit by someone because it's unpleasant for all involved.

Biking in places like these, you very quickly pick up how the flow works, and before long it just works something like a school of fish: people know where they need to be to make it work, and how to indicate (hand, eye contact, nods, etc) to others when something changes.

It definitely helps that there's a lot of space here, but that makes sense for a busy location.

Show threadbartosz 🚲🌳🐍🦀Feb 5

@eythian @BicycleDutch @cycling_on_rails these are all very good points on how to ensure harmonious flow of cyclists. Thank you!

#cycling #bike #infrastructure #nl

Show threadDaniel BrotherstonFeb 5
@BicycleDutch Heh, this is almost on my commute, I turn off Kanaalweg at Van Zijtseweg. It really is an amazingly pleasant commute.