Dutch Cycling Embassy

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Dave Feucht

The Netherlands has just launched the Dutch Cycling Embassy.

As stated on their website, they are a comprehensive network of private companies, non-governmental organizations, universities and research organizations, and their national and local governments, coming together with the purpose of both promoting cycling for transportation, and helping interested parties to implement good policies and best practices in their own places of residence, with the expertise of the people who have made the Netherlands the best country in the world for cycling.

Here is their promotional video, done by our friend Marc from Amsterdamize.

Cycling For Everyone from Dutch Cycling Embassy on Vimeo.

And their PDF brochure:

http://dutchcycling.nl/downloads/dutchcycling-brochure-english.pdf

Now, how do we get the Portland city government to talk to them, and then take them seriously? :)

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  • BLF

    It makes one rejoice to see this. Gradually, the move towards a world built around people rather than machines gains momentum. Thanks for posting!

    • http://pin-hole.tumblr.com Dave

      That’s what I’m hoping for! Keep pushing for it!

      • Dan

        Actually, I think what may work best is not to get the leaders over there, but the general populace.  That way, we can have the masses demanding the safe and clean cities, instead of a top-down social engineering.  The Dutch did it not by demanding safer conditions for cycling (as “cyclists” are perceived mainly as a minority looking to take lanes from others), but by demanding safer conditions for children (as cars are one of the leading causes of childhood death, both as passengers and as pedestrian/cyclist accident victims).  AND, it certainly didn’t hurt that they have a strong tradition of cycling and could (when they started pushing in the 70s) mostly remember how it used to be (instead of most Americans trying to imagine how it may one day come to be).

        • http://pin-hole.tumblr.com Dave

          Yeah, I agree. Getting some of our population there to experience their streets in person would be quite an experience for a lot of people, I think. Some brief explanation as to how their traffic works, and then shove them off and let them feel how relaxed their public space feels, and how looked-after you feel…

          Have them stay for 2 weeks or longer, and then let them feel the shock as soon as they hit the streets of Portland again.

          • Dan

            Although, it seems like a difference in social perception may interfere.  I was thinking last night about how the Dutch were able to turn concern for child safety (children are being endangered by automobiles, therefore, we have to make it possible for children to cycle safely about) into reform of the cycle path system.  Here in America, given our perception of children being unable to be left on their own to travel about safely, I fear the reaction would be to strap them into bigger SUVs and further decrease child cycling (it’s too dangerous for them to do; it’s only for big, strong, strapping adults to bike about).  One set of data (increased child danger), two diametrically opposed reactions. 

          • http://pin-hole.tumblr.com Dave

            I’ve thought about that a lot, how our ingrained reaction to danger here is to protect ourselves rather than demand the danger be taken care of. I think it’s horrible, as it just enables and encourages dangerous situations to get worse.

          • Dan

            And, therein lies the crux of the problem.  In the Netherlands (for example), there seems to be more of a feeling of social responsibility (a sort of  ” we’re all in this to make everyone’s lot better”) than exists in the United States (for the most part; cases where a child is lost or abducted tend to show how we can band together).   The angst over the diverter north of Division on SE 52nd is a good example.  Many people were concerned about the increase in traffic on their street, even though it seems to be an order of magnitude less than the traffic seen currently on nearby streets, and not recognizing that by enabling more people to get out of their cars and commute by bicycle, the traffic congestion may well be resolved.

  • Melinda

    Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful if people in our state capital to an interest in this!  Salem is so behind Portland, Corvallis, and Eugene in the way of bike infrastructure.

    • Melinda

      I meant to say “took” an interest in this!

    • http://pin-hole.tumblr.com Dave

      It certainly wouldn’t hurt if it managed to influence statewide policy, either!

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