I want to ride my bicycle (I want to ride it where I like)
japra | Feb 21, 2008 | Comments 5
Isn’t this something? The bike’s not chained up to anything! I love that wicker basket. This was in the shopping area in the town center of The Hague. That’s the kind of bike I want. Nothing too fancy, but definitely with a wicker basket.
But in The Hague, would you look at that! An empty street with four riders in the cycle lane. I tried to count the seconds between bicycles. I think the highest I got was something like four. And no, the street wasn’t always that empty. It just worked out that way for this shot. There definitely are cars in The Hague.
A sea of bicycles in front of Den Haag Centraal train station. It’s a little hard to see, but that bike in the front on the left has a baby seat in front and in back.
Again, kind of hard to see, but the bike in the middle has a yellow flower garland wrapped around the handle bars.
This awesome bike has a baby seat in back, then a regular seat, then two tandem seats in the middle, and finally, a doll’s seat in the front! It must take some mighty fine leg muscles and keen coordination to get this one going.
This is so cool–a child-size rickshaw.
So here’s the best part about bikes in The Hague, and probably in Holland in general: almost everyone (I think I read somewhere that 85% of the population has at least one bike) uses them for regular transportation. It’s not because they can’t afford a car or they’re trying to get fit or they’re doing their part to save the environment. They ride bikes because it’s part of their culture. It’s just their way.
I can’t tell you how impressive it is to see ladies riding around in their smart wool coats and their nice leather boots, or guys biking to work in their suits, overcoats and business shoes.
One afternoon, I saw a young man on his bike with a young woman confidently perched on the luggage rack behind him. How did she get on there, you wonder? The fellow started pedaling with her running beside him. At the right moment, she leapt on side-saddle and off they went!
On our last evening in The Hague, we went to dinner at a delicious Indian restaurant in the town center. We arrived early and got one of the two tables near the window. I had such fun watching people ride up and down the narrow brick street, their white twinkling headlights shining in front and their red flashing tail lights winking from behind. And some of the riders stopped and nonchalantly parked their bikes against the building before cheerfully coming in for a bit to eat. This was a normal way of life for them. But for me, it was wonderfully, even romantically, different.
Anyway, this is a rambling post–I just wanted to tell you about the bikes. I guess they’re just another reason why I love Holland.
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Last year my husband was working in Den Haag — a place that I loved to visit. I used to regularly romanticize bicycles, and your photographic collection filled me with admiration. Like you, I favor a slightly old-fashioned style with a wicker basket (for tulips, fresh bread, and of course a book!)
Have you been to Denneweg (shopping street)? It is very near the Escher Museum and that wonderful Des Indes Hotel. (Hope all of the spellings are correct; do not have a Holland guidebook to hand.) The husband had a flat on Frederickstraat and we regularly cruised Denneweg for things to buy and eat. There is a great bookstore on the street — lots of art and gardening books, in English, at great prices. Can’t remember the name, but they had good displays in glass windows and the street is not very long. If you are walking from the Escher Museum square down Denneweg, it is on your right-hand side.
By the way, I found you on the Homesick Texan food blog. I am sort of a Texas expat in England; “sort of” because I’m a Texan, but we’re not really expats. Hubby is English, and we keep bouncing between Houston and Berkshire. I’m guessing that you live somewhere in Surry; not too far away from me.
I would love to get together if you want a friend to help explore London/countryside.
Beth
Howdy, Beth! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It’s always great to hear from a fellow Texan. :-)
Also, I am glad to hear someone else likes those bikes too. It was really something walking out of Den Haag Centraal that first time and seeing them all lined up. Amazing!
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to Denneweg. Another something for my “next time” list. Did you get to Delft while you were in Holland? I saw that there is a Delft stop on one of the tram lines and wondered if that was THE Delft.
How long have you been in the UK? And don’t you love the Homesick Texan? Sometimes I can’t read through her entire posts, though, because they actually make me more homesick. I think it was the holiday 2007 Holiday Gift Guide that got to me last.
I’d love to hear from you. If you like, you can send me an email: justaplaneride[at]yahoo.co.uk, replacing the [at], of course.
Cheers!
I’m trying to figure out who steers the bike with the doll seat on the front!
I wish you could have gotten a picture of the family bike. Have doll; will travel! Mimsy
Laurie–The poor parent in the seat second to last. I’d be too scared to drive that thing with it sticking that far out.
Mimsy–I know, I bet it is something when all the seats are taken ;-)