Because the land here is so flat, most bikes only have one gear and instead of braking by squeezing near the handlebars, I have to peddle backwards. So, it took me a few days to get used to my bike—I wobbled around near stoplights, struggled to stop, and nearly fell over when I had to put my feet down. But now, I’m much more comfortable.
I know how to use hand signals to let other bikers and cars know when I’m turning. I learned to wrap my lock through the back wheel when there are no spots at a bike rack so the bike can’t be rolled away. I’m even practicing biking with no hands!
Cycling is a quintessentially Dutch activity. You can buy postcards with pictures of bikes on them. Tourists in the Netherlands rent bikes to experience the Dutch mode of transportation. When I brought my dad a souvenir from my travels here, I got him socks with little bicycles on them. Like tulips and windmills, bikes are part of the Dutch identity.
Cycling represents a commitment to the environment, an active lifestyle, a willingness to brave the wind and rain and the simple joy of riding around. Biking is central to Dutch culture.
