In the News. London Boroughs Like Mini-Hollands

nl-amsterdam-fietsstraat-modacity-2016Can the 8-million city of London learn from the middle-sized cities? At the London-based Travel Watch event (November 22), the independent watchdog for transport users, Ruth Oldenziel argued that the cycling culture’s diversity in London’s boroughs are indeed comparable to Dutch cities’ variety in cycling. Building cycling lanes are not the only precondition for attracting cycling. The event and the Twitter feed drew planners, politicians, public-transit defenders, and cycling activists.

In the News. Amsterdammers Push Policy

Amsterdammers appropriate the street for cycling 2016
Amsterdammers appropriate the street for cycling 2016

For about a century Amsterdammers have pushed policy makers to make room for cycling. Chris Bruntlett marvels about Amsterdam cycling utopia and observes its history on the street. The story of Amsterdam is one of Amsterdammers appropriating the streets for cycling in any way imaginable. It also has been a story of traffic calming rather than bike paths to create a streetscape where cyclists rule and motorists are guests. That said, not just motorists pay a price. So do pedestrians.