We all know that riding bicycles is huge in the Netherlands, right? It is very common there, during every season. Even during the winter, when many people here in the United States would not think of bicycling (although it is becoming more common here, too, as I noticed more bicycle riders during this past, brutal winter, than any other winter before), bicycling is apparently very common in the Netherlands.
Well, here is a short video documentary piece, if you will, where a Dutch man provides commentary on conditions for bicyclists here in the United States. Much of it is highly critical, although he does point out some positives, and finally, towards the end, concludes that there is a bright future for biking in the United States.
That would be a good thing, given that Americans are, at least presently, the most overweight people in the world. That said, there is a strong, and growing, movement towards greater health consciousness in the States, and this is being reflected in many ways: diets, exercises, meditation practices, education, and all sorts of books, television shows, and articles geared towards providing greater health conscience. It was only natural, and probably inevitable, that bicycling, a relatively cheap, and often very useful exercise, would eventually grow in popularity, and be taken more seriously. I don't know if this is on a national scale or not, but I can personally attest that Hispanics in northern New Jersey have probably contributed to the popularity of biking, because I see them on bicycles everywhere - day and night! Riding a bike at night used to be extremely rare here. Now, you are starting to see it with a fair degree of frequency.
The main problem in the United States is that everything is geared towards being car friendly. So much is this the case, that Bill Bryson noticed it, and wrote about it, in his brilliant book, "A Walk in the Woods". And here, the Dutch guy is making the same observations in relation to bicycling. They both have a point, too. Really, how can Americans expect not to get fat when we are encouraged to eat supersize McDonald's meals and other crappy foods, and we get around everywhere by car?
One time, I was amazed to see someone get into their car to drive four or so houses down! That's laziness to the extreme!
We need to get healthier habits, and I don't think anyone is arguing that. Michelle Obama's personal campaign (each First Lady seems to have one) is personal fitness. Conservatives opposed to Obamacare often base their opposition that many Americans don't take care of themselves. The general consensus is that we, as a nation, have gotten into bad health habits, and need to change our ways to become more fit.
But that is not even what this man is talking about, because in the Netherlands, people do not bike just for fun, or even for fitness. They bike out of practicality, when they need to take trips that they can do with bicycle. Gas is more expensive, and of course, the Netherlands is generally flat, so it makes sense. Also, European towns tend to be more tightly packed together geographically than American ones, which often are spread apart quite a bit. But if more Americans would opt to take their bikes for short trips, that might make a huge difference right there!
When I saw this on Facebook, it was accompanied by someone (unidentified who exactly it was who said this) who wrote, "At first I was mad. But then I kept watching."
Not sure why they would automatically get mad. Was it because bicycling indeed is not taken seriously here in the United States? Or is it because it is a Dutch guy criticizing a certain aspect of the United States? If so, is this person aware of the concept of constructive criticism?
In any case, the point here is about bicycles, and how despite some considerable improvements for bikers over the course of years, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Here is what the article from Rollie Williams of Upworthy (that introduces the video) says:
Apart from being able to deliver the nicest reprimand of all time, this Dutch cyclist's conclusion is inescapably accurate: America doesn't take bicycles seriously. If anyone out there sees a downside to more Americans riding bikes, please enlighten me. If you need me, I'll be the one lodged firmly underneath a truck tire.
Here is the link to the video that was the topic for this blog entry:
"A Dutch Guy Is Disgusted By America, But He Has A Hell Of A Point" by Rollie Williams of Upworthy,
http://www.upworthy.com/a-dutch-guy-is-disgusted-by-america-but-he-has-a-hell-of-a-point?c=ufb2
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