Coming from the bicycle capital of the world, where there are more bicycles than people, I thought I had seen it all. I mean, in the Netherlands, babies practically learn to pedal before they can walk. Our national motto might as well be "Two wheels good, four wheels overrated." So, imagine my shock when I moved to America and realized that biking here is less of a mode of transportation and more of an extreme sport.
In the Netherlands, you can bike anywhere. There are dedicated lanes, traffic lights just for cyclists, and enough parking for your bike to have its own zip code. In America? Oh, sweet summer child. Here, the roads are sprawling asphalt deserts designed with one purpose: to let cars roam free like majestic (and often angry) metal beasts. Want to bike to the store? Sure, if you enjoy heart-pounding adrenaline rushes as pickup trucks whiz by at Mach 5.
Sidewalks? Sometimes they exist, like elusive mythical creatures. And when they do, I've seen people walking in the street instead, as if the sidewalk was lava. I don’t know if it's rebellion or just a local custom, but it's perplexing. Meanwhile, I'm there, perched on my trusty Dutch bike, complete with a bell that goes "ding ding" (as if that tiny chime will stop a speeding SUV), wondering if I updated my will.
And let's talk about helmets. Americans wear them like medieval armor, while back home, we treat them like an optional fashion accessory that screams "tourist." In the Netherlands, helmets are for daredevils and professional cyclists. Kids there are practically born with a built-in GPS and an instinctive understanding of traffic laws. At school, they even get traffic education and can earn a certificate proving they won't get flattened by a bus. It's like a driver’s license, but cuter.
Here in the U.S., biking feels like a daring quest: "Can I cross this intersection without being turned into a road pancake?" Back home, my biggest biking worry was getting my scarf stuck in the chain. Now, it's surviving the ride.
But I must say, it's not all bad. There’s a certain thrill to dodging cars and potholes like you’re in an action movie. Plus, I've developed cat-like reflexes and legs of steel. Who needs spin class when you have American traffic?
So, to my fellow Dutchies planning to bike in America: pack your bravery, a helmet (yes, really), and perhaps a reflective vest that makes you look like a glow stick. And remember: the bell won’t save you, but screaming might.
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