Daily Transportation: Getting around in the Netherlands
Throughout this dialogue, transportation methods (specifically bicycles) and the infrastructure that makes that transportation possible are some of the key things that we are studying. As a result of this, biking is our key mode of transportation, public transit being used when a trip we take is too long to do on two wheels. Our dorms are a perfect distance for us to bike to TU Delft, the school we are studying at, in the morning. It takes about 10 minutes to bike from or dorms to there. Typically a group of guys living in the dorm will meet up in the lobby 15 or 20 minutes before class starts and bike over in a big group, and the extensive bike path system that exists in the Netherlands makes for a very relaxing bike (even during peak morning hours), especially when compared to any commute in Boston.
On top of going to school, our bikes are used to take us everywhere. Field trips to view different towns, cities, and pieces of infrastructure are done on bikes; as are trips to dinner, the grocery store, or the fields to play some soccer. The paths are so relaxing and enjoyable to use that we often go out and ride around when there is some down time and we feel like moving around.
As for public transportation, it is far better in the Netherlands than I have ever seen before. This is partially due to the amount of money that cities are able to gather for and spend on public transit projects (we recently visited a brand new train station with the mixed function of being city hall that featured newly dug underground tracks and a beautiful structure). At this point, we haven’t used a whole lot of public transportation as most all of our destinations are within biking distance, but we are going to take trains more often when we start to visit cities such as Amsterdam that are not quite a comfortable bike away. In general, however, the public transit here is timely, quiet, clean, and an all around pleasant experience.
This concept of prioritizing funding towards public transportation and biking infrastructure is at stark contrast with the car-centric culture that I’m used to back in Boston. It has taught me a great deal about appreciating the potential of biking and public transportation, and the benefits to having a city where most of commutes are not done on cars, but rather biking, walking, and public transport. While cars are still used here quite frequently, biking through main roads without having to worry about being hit by a car is quite a wonderful experience and has taught me a great deal about potential for this type of infrastructure.
This is a typical Dutch cycle track located in The Hague seen as it passes through an intersection. The triangles in front of the cars as they arrive mean that the cars must yield to through bicycles. Note the pedestrian crossing lights.
