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Train and ferry travel between UK and Netherlands also banned for passengers

Brin Andrews
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0
Train and ferry travel between UK and Netherlands also banned for passengers

As of midnight on Sunday, Eurostar trains are no longer running to and from London, as Belgium has closed its borders to the UK, reports NU. Ferry services between the UK and the Netherlands have also been halted.

The Dutch government does not yet know when train services to the UK will resume, as the Belgian government has not yet clarified how long the borders will be closed.

According to Dutch Railways, affected travellers with previously booked trips will be able to request a refund.

Ferry docking ban

Ferries carrying passengers are also no longer permitted to dock in Dutch ports. The Dutch government imposed this measure on December 20 with immediate effect. The ban will remain in place until at least January 1.

The docking ban means that ferries with passengers will no longer be able to depart the UK for the Netherlands. Dutch nationals who are now unable to return to the Netherlands are advised by the government to “arrange accommodation in the UK and await further developments.”

Freight transport not affected

Freight transport is not affected by this ban and may still be shipped between countries. Lorries and lorry drivers may also continue to cross borders by ferry using the Green Lines.

Will your travel plans be affected by the rail and ferry docking bans? Tell us in the comments below.

Feature Image: Alp Ancel/Unsplash 

Survey finds that 1 in 5 Dutch nursing home staff do not want to be vaccinated

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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0
Survey finds that 1 in 5 Dutch nursing home staff do not want to be vaccinated

A survey carried out by the FNV trade union has found that more than one fifth of staff working in nursing and care homes do not want to be vaccinated against coronavirus. 

More than 9,000 employees of the care and welfare sector were involved in the survey, AD writes. Of those surveyed, over one fifth responded that they definitely do not want a vaccination, 13% said they “think not” and 18% said they were in doubt about getting vaccinated.

Guinea pigs

For many of those surveyed, the reasoning behind their doubts was based on the speed at which the vaccine had been produced. Those who said they were apprehensive about the vaccine cited the scientific basis as a worry, given that the vaccine was produced so quickly.

Those who do not want to be vaccinated, or who are unsure of the vaccine, also said that they do not want to act as guinea pigs, the survey found. They worry about any potentially harmful side effects that may come to light once the first group of people are vaccinated.

Kitty Jong, vice-chairman of the FNV tells AD that “care employees who are not positive about it feel like guinea pigs… These people understand that they work with vulnerable elderly people, but they are also concerned about their own health. ”

Healthcare staff will be amongst the first group of people in the Netherlands to receive the vaccine on January 8.

More information

Jong believes however, that those in doubt may be convinced to take the vaccine if they receive more information and have their questions answered. She hopes that Rutte will understand healthcare workers’ concerns.

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport hopes to offer more information about the vaccine through public campaigns involving advertisements and social media.

Consequences

Dr Hans Zaaijer, a professor of microbiology, tells AD that if healthcare workers refuse to get vaccinated, there must be consequences. “If you work in an institution with vulnerable people, you can demand that they participate in certain vaccinations. There is no right to be allowed to do that work unvaccinated.”

Those staff who refuse to get vaccinated may, as a result, no longer be allowed to work with vulnerable groups of people.

Do these numbers surprise you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature Image: EVG/Pexels 

 

The problematic pronunciation of a town called Utrecht

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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6
The problematic pronunciation of a town called Utrecht

“I’m moving to Youtrekt!” I shared with excitement, “Youtrekt, Netherlands!”. And so it was, that my Australian drawl butchered the name of my future home of Utrecht, my lazy tongue running the syllables into one, the harsh intonations simplifying it to some kind of Russian Star Trek planet.

I even led my Australian family astray in my pronunciation; if ever lost or kidnapped I would not be found, as officials would be quite uncertain as to where the imaginary land of “Youtrekt” lay. Utrecht City, however, would likely be easier for them to find.

When I arrived here, I was quickly put straight. Or, attempted to be put straight. Politely corrected. Told to say it right. At times, laughed at. It’s not as if I hadn’t tried to learn Dutch prior to arriving – I had over 80 basic phrases down. They weren’t perfect, but I had spent more than a few hours hoarsening the back of my throat in an effort to learn the guttural rolls of the Dutch language.

Because Utrecht is not pronounced Youtrekt, as an Australian would be intended to pronounce it, to write my best phonetic impression would result in some tangled creation of vowels and consonants that looks something like: ‘ooghc-treyh-chkt’. Ew.  

The problem is, well, everything. The title of the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands is just a tangle of letters that should never follow each other. And here’s a clue: if you, as a visitor or expat THINK you are saying it correctly – you’re probably not.

Utrecht City itself

It’s not Utrecht’s fault. Contrary to the name pronunciation, Utrecht is, well, delightful. It’s a fairy-tale village with beautiful canals bordered by quaint terraces along with the convenience of all of the giant capitalist corporations that make the world go round. The name Utrecht does little to convey the namesake’s beauty.

Utrecht city
How can such a beautiful city be so hard to pronounce? Image: Diliff/Wikimedia Commons

Arriving here with the flurry of international students one September, I quickly fell in love with the hustle and bustle of Utrecht Central Station. I learnt quickly of the value of OV chipcards, and the inherent danger of stepping onto a bike path that is cleverly disguised to a non-local as a red footpath. I repeated the phrase ‘Sorry, English?’ so many times now that I’ve perfected it into a beautiful, exquisitely executed sing-song. And after many disappointing taco nights, I’ve finally distinguished between slagroom (whipped cream) and zure room (sour cream).

In short, I’ve become much more educated, cultured, as much of a Dutchie as I could ever hope to be. The perfect professor of pronunciation.

Utrecht City: calling it like it is

If I taught a fellow foreigner how to say Utrecht now, I would ask them to picture hacking up a loogie in the back of their throat, like when you have a cold and get rid of phlegm in the shower. I would request they put on their worst Transylvanian accent, preferably learned from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But first, I would, of course, make them do multiple vocal warm-ups, some facial stretches, and sign a waiver to compensate for the exercise their throats were about the endure. Safety first, after all.

I would teach them how to pout their lips like they’re back in high school preparing for their first sloppy kiss, lips in the shape of a platypus’ beak simply in order to make the ‘OOH’ sound, then ripping their lips back wide for ‘treyh’, like a bad French accent with a guttural roll, the hardest Dutch sound to master, and then spit. Wait, no, just pretend that part, before rounding it off with a ‘t’ as delicate as a ballerina.

And then, I would advise they go ask a native Dutch speaker because after eight months of this being my home, I still have no idea. So, please don’t ask me to pronounce Groningen.

What’s the hardest Dutch city you find to pronounce? Share it in the comments below!

Feature Image: Tambako The Jaguar/Flickr

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in October 2019 and was fully updated in December 2020 for your reading pleasure.

Flight ban issued against UK travellers, new COVID-19 mutation also found in the Netherlands

Brin Andrews
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0
Flight ban issued against UK travellers, new COVID-19 mutation also found in the Netherlands

The Dutch government has announced a flight ban against travellers coming from the UK, in effect as of 6 AM this morning. The restrictions are intended to limit the spread of the new more infectious mutation of the COVID-19 virus that is circulating in the UK, which has also been discovered in the Netherlands. 

The UK imposed stricter measures for London and the southern and eastern parts of the country on Saturday afternoon. In these affected regions, retail, gyms, and other facilities have closed, and the British government has issued urgent advice against travel and inviting guests to the home.

It’s in response to this report from the UK that the Netherlands has revised the travel advice, according to the cabinet’s press statement. The RIVM recommends that “pending further information and an explanation of the epidemiological situation in the United Kingdom, any introduction of this virus strain from the United Kingdom be limited as much as possible.”

The ban is in place until January 1, though it may be extended. The restriction does not apply to medical personnel.

GGD detects mutated strain

A coronavirus case in the Netherlands at the beginning of December revealed the same variant of the virus characterised in the UK. The GGD is further investigating this case to determine where it came from and whether any related cases can be identified.

Other modes of travel still allowed

The Dutch government is closely monitoring the development of the situation abroad and investigating the possibility for additional measures against other forms of transportation. For now, travelling by train, car, and boat is still permitted, although the cabinet reiterates the advice: “do not travel, unless strictly necessary.”

According to the NOS, Schiphol Airport and KLM are investigating what the impact of the ban on travellers will be. For the time being, most flights to the UK will take off as scheduled with passengers and the aircraft will then fly back empty. “You can no longer book a ticket on these flights,” said a spokesman.

KLM advises affected travellers to keep an eye on the status of their flight via the KLM website.

Will your plans be affected by the new travel ban? Tell us in the comments below.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

Long-stays in Amsterdam: hotels you can call home

Brin Andrews
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0
Long-stays in Amsterdam: hotels you can call home

More and more, hotels and hostels in Amsterdam are offering their guests long-stay options at lower rates. It’s great news for anyone who’s moving house, on a temporary work assignment, or having a nice long holiday.

Seeing as many of our dear readers often fit into those very categories, we wanted to find out more. So we learned all about this new shift toward more affordable temporary housing, and we’re excited — we think you will be too.

Long-stays: a new trend in Amsterdam

Anyone who has lived in Amsterdam has experienced the challenging house-hunting and moving process. Finding the right home in the right neighbourhood at the right price can be an overwhelming and drawn-out process, not to mention the chore of the physical move itself.

In fact, moving house is frequently listed as one the top most stressful experiences a person can go through in life, right up there with divorce and the death of a loved one. It’s hard! 

One thing that can make a world of difference is having a comfortable place to stay while you’re getting the details sorted. This is where long-stay hotel options and short-stay apartments in Amsterdam can be your golden ticket. 

What to look for in long-stay accommodation in Amsterdam

While you’re shopping around for the right short-term home, there are just a few important questions you’ll want to ask yourself. 

  • Location
    • Do you want to be centrally located, close to public transportation, near the neighbourhood where you hope to live, or a new part of the city you want to explore?
  • Affordability 
    • What’s your budget? Would you rather spend a bit more for your creature comforts, or is it more important to save money and live simply?
  • Amenities
    • Will you need parking? Are you hoping for a gym? Do you want to fully unpack into a closet or are you comfortable living out of a suitcase? Think about what you can and can’t live without for a month or two.

The beautiful thing is that this isn’t your long-term home, so there’s no need to agonize over the details. If you find a place that ticks these boxes, you should be all set. Just go with your gut and don’t look back.

The best long-stay options in Amsterdam

With help from our friends at a few wonderful extended-stay accommodations, we’re excited to bring you a handful of local options that we absolutely adore, with a little something for everyone.

Aparthotel Adagio

The Aparthotel Adagio Amsterdam City South is located Amstelveen, not far from the Amsterdamse Bos and Amstel Park. The quiet, safe little neighbourhood is easily accessible by public transportation and it’s just a quick tram ride from Amsterdam Zuidas (the main business district). Parking your car is easy too (a rare find).

The beautiful four-star Aparthotel Adagio is an excellent choice for business travellers or people moving to the city who want to experience a home away from home. Solo travellers can enjoy the roomy 52-square metre Superior Studio, while the whopping 123-square metre two-bedroom apartments comfortably sleep a family of four (and include a gorgeous top-floor terrace).

Each apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen and separate living area, which is ideal for long-stays. A few more great perks include free use of fitness facilities, smart TV, laundry facilities, and weekly housekeeping.

Rates

  • Long-stays benefit from a discount of up to 40% off regular rates.
  • Prices start from €89 per night for a studio apartment, based on a minimum stay of 28 nights.

How to book

Head over to Aparthotel Adagio Amsterdam City South to take advantage of these great offers!

ClinkNOORD Hostel

ClinkNOORD Hostel is an excellent, budget-friendly option for folks new to the city. The fantastic location in hip Amsterdam Noord gives you easy access to all the city centre has to offer, without the hustle and bustle of it.

Many great restaurants, cafes, bars, and museums are within close walking distance, and a free, five-minute ferry takes you right to Amsterdam Centraal. 

Room choices range from a basic dorm with a shared bathroom to a private “Ultimate Study Suite,” perfect for people working or studying from home. A large, shared kitchen allows you to cook all your favourite meals, and an on-site cafe and bar mean there’s delicious hot food and cool refreshing drinks available when you feel more like taking it easy.

Another big bonus: if you stay for three months, ClinkNOORD will even help you register in the Netherlands.

Long-stay rates

  • Four-person dorms at ClinkNOORD start at €340 per month and private rooms begin at €750 per month.
  • Long-stay guests also receive 50% off all food and 15% off drinks, as well as a range of exclusive local discounts.

How to book

Head over to ClinkNOORD’s website!

Zoku

Whether you’re in Amsterdam for business, home, or holiday, Zoku’s ultra-chic lofts are an incredible option. For people new to the city, the convenient location in the heart of Amsterdam is great for getting oriented, and the inviting social spaces make it easy to build new connections.

Zoku is all about comfort, style, and convenience. The aparthotel offers intelligently designed spaces that you can personalise to your own tastes — even to the degree of selecting your favourite artwork for the walls.

The home-office hybrid lofts offer a relaxed environment for all your work-from-home needs. The lovely apartments are large enough to entertain guests and equipped with all the amenities you could hope for. You can prepare meals in your own kitchen, or enjoy delicious food and drinks with a view from Zoku’s Living Kitchen.

Rates

  • Extended-stay rates with a one-week minimum start at €84 per night.

How to book

Get this deal on Zoku’s website.

Wittenberg Aparthotel

The historic Wittenberg is a lovely boutique aparthotel located in the Plantage neighbourhood, a peaceful area just east of the city centre. This dreamy, quiet location is conveniently close to all the action in Amsterdam and has easy metro access. 

Wittenberg’s modern, fully-furnished apartments will have you feeling at home right away. A full kitchen, washing machine, and Apple TV are just a few of the amenities that make your life easier. With apartments ranging from studio size to three-bedroom, it’s a great choice for individuals, couples, and families. 

Working professionals are in luck; some apartments have a separate office, where you can close the door and get right down to work. For those who prefer to get down to business outside the home, a welcoming community working space is available, espresso and all.

Rates

  • Apartments begin at €85 per night, with a minimum stay of seven nights.
  • Plus, plenty of partnerships with local businesses means you’ll get discounts around the neighbourhood.

How to book

You can score a room at Wittenberg on their website!
Coronavirus note: Each of the accommodations listed is taking precautions to ensure a COVID-19-safe atmosphere. They maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, appropriate social distancing measures, and have reduced occupancy.

Why opt for extended-stay accommodations? 

Settling into a temporary home while you’re transitioning to your permanent home is all about making your life easier, particularly if you’re moving from abroad. It alleviates the pressure of rushing into an apartment you don’t really love, just because you need something fast.

Now that more hotels are meeting this need, there are more affordable options for a range of budgets. There’s no sense in paying a high nightly rate at a hotel, wishfully thinking you’ll luck out and find your dream home right away. It’s much less stressful to take comfort in a short-term landing pad while you grapple with the reality of Amsterdam’s difficult housing market. 

Plus, throw in this year’s coronavirus pandemic, and moving has an extra layer of complexity. You may have a slower time finding available real estate agents or properties, viewings may be complicated due to social distancing measures, and if you’re working from home, good luck managing all the live-in moving distractions. 

But while it may be extra challenging to move during this time, it may also be necessary. That’s when long-stay accommodations are key, especially in a city like Amsterdam. You’ll have a peaceful little oasis, separate from the relocation drama.

Short-stay, long-stay, extended-stay — what’s the difference?

Strangely, the terms “short-stay” or “long-stay,” are generally referring to the same thing. The difference tends to be in the business that’s offering it. For example, an apartment complex may refer to a one-month stay with the term “short-stay” to differentiate from the longer leases they normally offer.

Conversely, a hotel will probably describe a stay that’s longer than a week with the term “long-stay” or “extended-stay” because their guests typically only come for a quick visit. There’s no hard rule — the businesses are simply using terms that will make the most sense to their audience. 

Good to know when moving to Amsterdam 

When moving to Amsterdam, it’s a good idea to hope for the best while you plan for the worst — it can be tricky. But there’s a lot you can do to make it easier on yourself — like getting to know the city from a long-stay hotel before having to sign a long-term lease. 

If you’re planning to stay in Amsterdam for an extended period, you may be interested in choosing the right neighbourhood, how to get a mortgage, and how to register in the Netherlands.

Have you stayed at an extended-stay hotel, or do you plan to? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Feature Image: Burst/Pexels 

Netherlands announces first coronavirus vaccinations begin January 8: here’s who is first

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
Netherlands announces first coronavirus vaccinations begin January 8: here’s who is first

The first Dutch coronavirus vaccination will be administered on Friday, January 8, according to a parliamentary letter from Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge. 

However, the long-awaited vaccination process will only begin if the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) next week.

Employees of nursing homes, carers for the disabled, community nurses and Social Support Act workers will be the first to be invited to receive the vaccination. They’ll receive an invitation and can then make an appointment by telephone. Later, appointments will be able to be made online.

READ MORE | Rewarded for taking the vaccine, or punished for not? Here’s what the Dutch think

Preparations underway

The vaccinations will be administered at three GGD locations no later than Monday, January 11. From Monday, January 18, there will be 25 central locations in the Netherlands that can administer the vaccine.

The BioNTech/Pfizer requires two separate injections, given three weeks apart. From the start, vaccinations will be given seven days a week across extended opening hours.

The first half a million doses of the vaccine are expected to be delivered this year.

READ NEXT | Dutch cabinet expects nearly 22 million vaccines in the first half of 2021

Netherlands falls behind

The Netherlands has been criticised for its slow vaccine process, particularly compared to neighbours like Germany. However, De Jonge says that a careful, safe, and responsible rollout was a priority.

“Ultimately, the highest possible vaccination coverage is our goal. We will only achieve this if people have confidence in the vaccine and in the vaccination process,” said De Jonge.

Are you planning on taking the vaccine when it is available? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Daniel Schludi/Unsplash

Macron tests positive, Rutte will not go into quarantine following meeting at EU Summit

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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2
Macron tests positive, Rutte will not go into quarantine following meeting at EU Summit

A spokesperson for Rutte has confirmed that the prime minister will not be going into quarantine after French president, Emmanuel Macron’s, positive test for coronavirus.

Whilst Macron and Rutte came into contact at last week’s EU Summit on Thursday, the French president was not contagious at this point, a spokesperson for Rutte has said. For this reason, it will not be necessary for Rutte to quarantine.

Macron is now in quarantine with his wife but he feels well enough to continue working. Rutte took to Twitter to wish the French president a speedy recovery.

Other leaders in quarantine

According to RTL Nieuws, other EU leaders will be quarantining following interactions with the French president.

The Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has decided to go into quarantine following his presence at the EU Summit. The decision was made “as a precaution.”

A person is believed to be contagious with coronavirus approximately 48 to 72 hours before symptoms show.

How do you feel about the Prime Minister’s decision not to quarantine? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! 

Feature Image: Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock.com

Rewarded for taking the vaccine, or punished for not? Here’s what the Dutch think

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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2
Rewarded for taking the vaccine, or punished for not? Here’s what the Dutch think

You have a goal: you must increase the number of people taking the COVID-19 vaccination. 

Your policy options:
a) people who choose not be vaccinated should have restrictions placed upon them,
b) people who choose to be vaccinated are rewarded with access to more public areas,
c) a balance between ‘a’ and ‘b’

What would you choose?

Of 1,640 Dutch people who took part in a study by TU Delft, RIVM, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Maastricht University, the majority leaned towards options (out of a total nine) that focused on reward over punishment.

Vaccination certificates could be key

Almost three-quarters of the participants were in favour of utilising vaccination certificates to earn access to shops, nursing homes and public transport when there is an outbreak in an area.

“That would mean that in the event of an outbreak in Amsterdam, the pubs could remain open, but only for people with a vaccination certificate,” says researcher Niek Mouter.

Importantly, the participants said that the freedoms for vaccinated people should only take place once everyone has had the opportunity to be vaccinated. Mouter says this will be “Probably sometime in the summer.”

Vaccine confidence

Of the participants in the study, 44 percent said they will definitely take the vaccine, and more than a quarter probably will.

This would be just enough to get coronavirus under control — around 70 percent of the Dutch population must be vaccinated before that happens.

Epidemiologist and behavioral expert Esther Metting told the NOS that the government needs to provide vaccination evidence to convince people to take the jab.

“It must first be clear how effective the vaccine is, to avoid false security of the evidence. Until then, the use of rapid tests may be more reliable.”

Self-imposed restrictions

Of those who said that they are unlikely to take the vaccine, half say that they are in favour of restrictions against unvaccinated people anyway. Mouter calls this remarkable.

“They choose a policy option that limits themselves. Despite the fact that they themselves may suffer from it, they think it is important that the economy can continue to run.”

Which option would you choose? Tell us why in the comments below!

Feature Image: Artem Podrez/Pexels

Dutch man gets dragged out of supermarket for not wearing a mask

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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0
Dutch man gets dragged out of supermarket for not wearing a mask

A Dutch man had to be dragged out of a supermarket in Den Helder for refusing to wear a mask and refusing to leave the store. After deciding to sit down on the floor in protest, a security guard had to drag the man out by his legs. 

The incident occured in the Vomar supermarket branch and was recorded by bystanders in the shop. In the video, the man can be seen lying flat on his back as a security man drags him out of the entrance to the store.

The man can be heard shouting “I just want my groceries!” One supermarket employee has to eventually help the security guard to drag the man out the door.

Aggressive

A spokesperson for FBS Security has told the NOS that the events as seen in the video do not tell the complete story. “The customer was asked if he wanted to put on a face mask, but he refused. Then he became aggressive. When the security guard spoke to him about this, he was spat in his face.”

The spokesperson said that the action was necessary given that the safety of other people in the store was being put at risk.

A fine

The security company claims that the security guard called the police to the supermarket once things got out of hand. However, a spokesperson for the police was unable to confirm to the NOS whether police were dispatched to the store.

As a result, it is also unknown whether or not the man was fined for not abiding by coronavirus measures. As of December 1, it is required that people in the Netherlands wear a mask in indoor public spaces.

Controversial

Following the release of the video on social media, the response from the public has been a mixed bag. According to the spokesperson for FBS Security, the guard has received a lot of hate for his actions in the store.

“Such a load of misery has come over him. He has been threatened several times. Again, what you see does not deserve a beauty prize, but at some point you have to intervene.”

In a statement, the Vomar supermarket condemned the security guards actions, saying they were inappropriate and that measures will be taken against the guard.

At the same time, the statement acknowledged that the customer had “misbehaved.”

Shocked by reactions

The security firm stands by the security guards decision to drag the man from the store, saying “it’s not nice what you see, but the situation got so out of hand that the security guard had to intervene.”

The guard himself is said to be shocked by the reactions of the public to his actions and is considering taking action against the man.

What do you think of the security guard’s actions? Do you think they were justified? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: De Kapitein/Youtube.

Cycling culture in the Netherlands: to bike or not to bike

Laura Corrigan
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0
Cycling culture in the Netherlands: to bike or not to bike

To cycle or not to cycle? That is the question. Well, not really. Certainly not for most people in the Netherlands, the world’s most bike-friendly country. And yet somehow it took me two weeks of living here to actually get a bike.

Cycling culture in the Netherlands

While there were always bicycles available they weren’t always within my budget (#studentlife). Not only was life without a bike the ultimate workout, but all the time spent walking also gave me plenty of time to contemplate the pros and cons of bike-life. It also allowed me to really get to grips with the great wheels vs feet debate.

photo-of-dutch-bike-with-cheese-and-clogs
Cycling culture in the Netherlands: will you cycle or not? Image: Thomas Bormaans/Unsplash

The pros of cycling in the Netherlands

  • Everyone else has a bicycle. 
  • People STARE at you wondering how such a peasant came to be when you are walking and not cycling. 
  • Who doesn’t want to be part of that innately Dutch cycling-everywhere thing? 
  • Tote bags are fun when holding free t-shirts, pens and leaflets about all the activities you’ll never sign up for. The fun quickly disappears when these are replaced by (deep breath now) a laptop, charger, notebooks, water, pens, folders, a shopping bag, umbrella, spare jacket, etc. You’ll soon be dreaming of a bike with a basket! 
  • Riding on the back (or front) of someone’s bike is a great way to make friends.  
  • Cycling is simply just faster than walking.  
  • The wind in your hair, cityscapes flashing by – what’s not to adore? 
Moving to the Netherlands to reunite with family
Cycling in the Netherlands is definitely an adjustment. Image: 3194556/Pixabay

The cons of cycling in the Netherlands

  • We had feet before bicycles, right? Relish in the superiority of your own independence and self-sufficiency. 
  • Google Maps is very often more of a hindrance than a help. Now imagine trying to navigate it while cycling. 
  • You know for sure you can always walk. You might think you can always cycle but think again. Traffic lights, pedestrians, bicycles, more bicycles, hand signals, cobbled streets, the triangles on the road indicating whose has the right-of-way – it’s a minefield! 
  • Finding your bike. No further explanation required. A picture speaks a thousand words, and this one is saying ‘Bike, Bike, Bike, Bike, Bike’… 
  • The hassle of locking your bike, chaining it to something secure just to redo it all later. 
  • Losing the keys for the locks and chains – leaving you with no other option than to carry your bike home. Like a FOOL. 
  • De Fietsstewards. They wear bright yellow jackets and stand outside your local supermarkets. Real-life personifications of fear. I’m sure they’re lovely people, but when you see them it means you can’t just park your bike willy-nilly, anywhere you like. No, no, the bike stewards are armed with saddle cover and stickers, ready to mark you as a #FietsHeld if you park correctly and a #FietsAso if not. 
  • The constant paranoia that your bike could become one of the 311 stolen every day. 
  • More paranoia – is this bike you bought through Facebook a stolen bike? What if the original owner steals it back? What if this cheap as chips bike just falls to pieces as I’m cycling? 
  • Cycling while intoxicated – is this even legal?
Girl_bike_netherlands
Image: Pexels/Pixabay

Having lived both as a pedestrian and as a cyclist, I can now say that I stand firmly on the #bikelife side of this debate. Yes, they can be a pain but let’s be real here, life with a bike is simply better.

Do you cycle? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Thomas Bormaans/Unsplash

Editor’s Note: This article was originally written in February 2019 and was fully updated in December 2020 for your reading pleasure.

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