Founder, Fusion Media // Former Cycling & Walking Commissioner // Co-Founder, The Running Channel
I love this new ad from the Dutch Government, encouraging citizens not to take their motor vehicles for short journeys. Even the Dutch, with their high levels of everyday cycling, still need to ensure cycling is promoted and backed by new infrastructure. #cycling #walking #activetravel #netherlands #cyclingindustry Tessel Van Essen Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom
Neil Damerell
2mo
It would be nice to see more adverts like this in the UK.
Ben Pearre
2mo
Ads are something, but design nudges have a much greater impact. Do you know what the Dutch (or anyone) are doing beyond ads to persuade people to take bikes rather than motorised scooters, and how effective it is?
Roy Denton
2mo
Hint: the UK is hilly, NL is flat.
David Quay
2mo
In Nederland If you cycle to work, your employer pays you 7 cents a kilometre, the same as a car. If you travel to work by public transport your employer pays. Most Dutch people are strong and fit, you do not see the obesity we see in the UK. Most major streets have cycle lanes separated from traffic.
Xavier Brice
2mo
Great example of how it’s not just about infrastructure - though it’s vital! - and how we have shared opportunities to grow active travel with exemplar countries
Laurence Cable 📝
2mo
Love this. Because despite the way the Netherlands is (rightly) held up as an example of how to create a culture where people cycle, the Dutch also spend *enormous* amounts on road projects, and love their cars.
Tom Randall
2mo
I think this shows another subtle difference. In NL bikes are left outside, whereas this is rarely done in the UK as we maybe have too expensive and desirable bikes for thieves. The additional time/hassle of getting into a garage, getting your bike out and then locking up after yourself means it is often tempting just to jump in your car that is on the drive or on the road outside!
Verity Tiff
2mo
We went on a cycling holiday in the Netherlands recently and it was really interesting to see how motorists there are so much more aware of and respectful of cyclists. However, until we really have a joined up, safe, well-signposted cycling infrastructure we're never going to encourage people to get on their bikes.
Retired urban designer and town planner
2moThere's a real problem with the design of our homes in the UK when it comes to cycle storage. In most of the clips in this video the bike is kept near to the car (or motor bike) and is as easily accessible. In the UK, in terms of qualitative design requirements, I don't think I've ever seen an adopted policy (though I'm hoping someone will put me right), the assumption is that bikes are kept in the garden shed or back of the garage, or worse in the hall. There should be a requirement that bike storage is more convenient than the car parking, covered, secure and at the front of the house or on the way out of flats. The quantitative design requirement for cycle storage is either absent or barely adequate (surely it should be 1 bike-space per bed-space).