Fiets in The Netherlands

the bike racks

Bicycles are not uncommon in every region of the world. But there is something special about bicycles in The Netherlands. They are not a one-moment trend. Neither a stylish accessories about what's in and what's not. Bike is a need. It is cheap, healthy, and fast. People ride bikes anytime, to any destination. Even you can find some men in neat suit going to workplace daily on bike. Students, the older ones, professors, professionals, anyone. People can choose an expensive multi-geared bike with fancy model or they can basically opt for an old--but fast one.

It is common for little children to start with 3-wheels bike, then usually children in school age will learn to ride bikes with foot-brake, the ones without hand-brake and you need to turn the pedal backwards to brake. I have tried them once, and it was not easy, as I did not usually ride bike in Indonesia, where I came from. There are also special bikes designed for people with disability. Usually they are three-wheeled, with different models and size depends on their disabled limbs. Some children with special needs also use custom made bikes to stimulate their movement, strength, and coordination. Another extra benefits of bikes. 



Later on, people can add custom accessories to their bikes, depends on what they need and want. Additional kids' seat (front or rear), postman-bags, baskets, front and rear lamps, or even flowers arrangement for additional aesthetics detail.

Bike for people with motor disturbances

bike for children with special needs

One thing for sure, people would not mind to invest on a good lock, or two. Bike robbery are quite common in The Netherlands. Good bikes are stolen to be (illegally) sold to another person. Not-so-good bikes are stolen just for fun, sometimes to be thrown to the canals (based on the information I got from a tour guide in Amsterdam). There are plenty bike park (fiets rekken) all around the city and near public places, where people can park and lock their bike to. But still, the bikes are in enormous number and people basically want their bikes to be parked as near as possible to where they are, so it is not uncommon to park your bike against street lamps, street signs, trees, or even just park it in front of the shops.

Riding bike can be really fun during summer days when it is not too cold, a little bit of light rain, cool wind, and sometimes if you are lucky, accompanied by abundant sun lights. But it can be quite tricky during heavy rain, powerful wind, or during winter when usually the roads are slippery and falling bikes will be a usual view.
 
There are special bike paths on almost every road in Holland. Usually it is a red-colored path on the right side of the road, some with stone borders which separate them from the main road for cars and buses. The car or bus drivers usually will let bikers to pass first (in some places where there is no traffic lights, or in crossroads), but be careful that there are special signs for bikers to followed. Some terrifying moments I had during my biking experience in Holland is many times I almost collide with another bikers (some with turbo speed) and motorcycles which are also in the bike path.


The price for a single bike can vary, from 30 Euro to 100 Euro or even more. Second (or third) hand bikes are usually cheaper, even cheaper if you buy it from black market or your good friend. Some would prefer cheap bikes (because it might would get stolen anyway) but for the more expensive bikes you can choose the one that fits your height, power, or model preference. But no matter how ugly your bike is, you can always look trendy on it. Just wear your most stylish jas, hot pants + brand new leggings, geek glasses, or even summer pop-coloured dress, and you will hit the road in style! :)


Talking about bikes reminds me of the fixie trend that has been a hip thing recently in Indonesia :)