Bicycle utopia

Amsterdam is a bicycle utopia. Bikes dominate the streets. There are bike lanes on almost all of the streets used by cars. Some narrow streets are closed to cars and are only for bikes and pedestrians. Bikes seem to have the right of way over cars, and it is really cool to have cars yeild to you at intersections. No one seems to stop at minor intersections, which sounds a little crazy, but seems to work. You just slow down enough to duck behind the cross traffic or speed up a little to pass in front.

There are so many bikes parked on racks everywhere that it is hard to pick out where the bike rental places are.

Up to three people can fit on your average bike. It is really common to see someone peddaling with a date or a friend sitting on the back rack. The back person hops off at intersections (when a signal requires one to stop) and when the light turns, runs along behind while the bike gets some speed up and then hops on. Although it looks easy, we practiced in the park, and found it to be a bit wobbly and scary.

We've seen up to three kids on their parents bike. Two on little seats on the back rack and one on a seat in front. Adorable. No minivan needed.
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