The Best Kind of Dutch Cycling Infrastructure
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters use it as an example of segregated bike infrastructure and of how quiet and pleasant car-free streets are.
What it is
Not Just Bikes explains Dutch bicycle-only roads, which let people travel long distances in and out of cities with almost no car interaction. It shows how this changes cycling from a chore into something enjoyable.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2021 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Cites estebank · 2021-06 · on “Cities Are Not Loud: Cars Are Loud, and Places Without Cars Are Quiet [video]”
> I’m unwilling to have someone who forgot to put winter tires on slide over me and my bike Part of the argument is that traffic should be segregated[1] and infrastructure for bikes should be well-kept year round, regardless of local conditions[2]. If a car can slide in snow and run you over, a distracted driver can do that on ideal conditions as well. If the roads are not in a ridable condition, that means that bike infrastructure is not being prioritized, usually because it is not considered a valid commuting mechanism. [1]: [this video] [2]: [LINK]
Cites Mawr · 2023-11 · on “Vehicles with higher, more vertical front ends pose greater risk to pedestrians”
You're comparing living in a car dependant city vs living in car dependant suburbs. It's not going to be meaningfully different. You mention the constant noise, but what do you think causes it? To see what everyone means by car dependency, you'd need to see the few places that aren't. Here's what a 100% car-free island looks like: [LINK] Here are some progressive European cities that have started to undo the damage that's been done by cars: • Freiburg, Germany: [LINK] • Haarlem, Netherlands: [LINK] • Paris, France: [LINK] Check out these background noise levels: • A very busy mixed-use street in Amsterdam: [LINK] • Exiting the train station in Delft, Netherlands: [LINK] • Cycling streets in
Cites Mawr · 2025-03 · on “Congestion Pricing Is a Policy Miracle”
> So make cars pollute less Physically impossible to have them pollute less than methods of mass transportation. Mathematically, even. Just divide the number of people carried per pollution caused by cars vs trains, bikes, or even buses. There's nothing you can do to make cars competitive. > Figure out how to filter microplastics from our food and water "Just figure it out", ok. But even then, an ounce of prevention is worth the pound of a cure. > Figure out what's causing asthma in children A little random but ok. I'm guessing grinding up rubber and metal particles into the air right next to where said children live isn't the best for their lungs. > Not sure how obesity is related. Maybe im
Cites CHB0403085482 · 2025-03 · on “Stoop Coffee: A simple idea transformed my neighborhood”
There were towns and cities BEFORE cars [this video] You can also wave to your neighbours passing by in their cars.