Visiting Amsterdam like a cousin

For a Copenhagener, visiting Amsterdam - the other city of cyclists - is like visiting a cousin. We feel at home but we like to spot the differences between the two bicycle cultures.



People cycle slowly side by side


No worries about safety, people cycle with kids sitting as they want. The view is actually better from that perspective.









Even the black bikes are spiced up with colors

But whatever the city, riding during the sunset after a day of work remains the nicer moment of the day.


Cycle Chic in Utrecht too


Thanks to Meredith from Amsterdam Cycle Chic for sharing with me a perfect watching-cycling spot.

Clo

City Cycling Europe Guides by Rapha

The first thing you notice about the Rapha City Cycling guides is that they look good. Even the little box they come snugly ensconced in is pretty. They are a series of bright pastel colours and feature a different illustrator for each city, so each one has an air of distinctiveness whilst also fitting nicely into the set.

There are eight guides, taking in nine cities in Europe, most of them good for citizen cyclists: Copenhagen, Paris, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Milan and Antwerp & Ghent sharing one guide. They are initially only available as a full set of eight and feel a little like extended blogs, in that they give you little snapshots of local knowledge – they don’t concentrate on well-known tourist spots, indeed they barely mention them. Instead they give the low down on the latest hip places to hang out.

They contain maps for nice cycling routes, which is handy for anyone trying to get from A to B. But there are also sections on ‘racing and training’ that seem to be aimed at the lycra-wearing market, rather than chic citizen cyclists. Of course in an ideal world, ‘city cycling’ guides wouldn’t be a thing, there would just be city guides.

The recommendations for what to do in Copenhagen are a fairly solid spread of decent bars, restaurants and shops, though of course the nature of cities is that they are always going to miss something out. And the danger is that being enshrined in the permanency of ink they will soon get out of date. One solution to this is of course making sure you get on your bike and get visiting all these cities as soon as possible, and these attractive-looking guides certainly make visiting enticing.

Joni from Amsterdam

Joni, from Amsterdam Cycle Chic, riding strong only weeks before she gave birth to her son. Congratulations, Joni!

Top Three Cycle Chic Police Forces

We were asked a good question the other day. "Which cities have the cycle chic'est police officers on bicycles?" After some thought and a look in our photo archives, we thought we'd whip up a list based on what we've seen over the past five or six years. We admit we haven't seen every cycling policeman in every city, so there may be more out there. Please let us know in the comments.

Finding the number one spot was not difficult. Off to Japan we go.

1. TOKYO, JAPAN (and other Japanese cities)

Leave it to the Japanese to excel in uniforms. Perfectly pressed shirts and trousers, shined shoes and dapper caps abound on the cycling police officers.

We love the bicycles they ride, too. Sensible steeds, with proper chainguards and an upright position. We'd love to have a look in that box on the back rack, but we've never dared asking.

The cycling Japanese police officers are everything a cycling police officer should be. A uniform that commands respect and authority and that allows the police officer to blend in with the citizens. If you're stopped by a cop as you walk or cycle through the city - or have to approach one for directions - it is certainly best if they are dressed in a uniform that regular citizens can relate to. As opposed to a spacey outfit made out of stretchy, artificial fibers and all sorts of sportif gear.

So dapper are the gentleman policeman in Japan, like in the above photo, that we have to repress the urge to salute and stand up a little bit straighter as they pass.

2. FERRARA, ITALY

Che sorpresa that we're going to Italy for the number two spot. In Italy's premier cycling city, Ferrara, with 30% modal share for bicycle users, these two police officers commanded our respect and admiration. Pillars of calm in a world of chaos. And helpful as wayfinders to boot. 

It was autumn when we were last there and sensible, styled jackets were de rigeur for the cycling police force. Not to mention impeccible uniforms and splendid hats. And my goodness, we love their bicycles, too. Matching his and hers models.

3. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

These two police officers were casually watching the crowds wander past on Dam Square, having a chat as they did so. Like every Amsterdammer, they exuded a cool and approachable demeanour. If you don't feel like you could sit down and have a coffee with a police officer then they aren't doing their job right.

The bicycle cops we see in Amsterdam roll along with the flow, blending in with the urban landscape. You don't doubt, however, that when they need to muscle it - chasing a suspect or responding to an emergency - they will do so with vigour and graceful speed - they're Dutch after all.

HONOURABLE MENTION
VITÓRIA, BRAZIL

While a bulletproof vest may be a bit of an exaggeration rolling along the beach on a Saturday in 35 degree heat in a lovely, beach city like Vitória, these police officers don't look like it bothers them. That's the key, really. If their dress code dictates that they have to carry around all manner of police equipment, you as a citizen don't want them to look like they're some Rambo bumbling through the jungle. They have to make it look effortless and even stylish. Citizens should be able to reflect themselves in their law enforcement officers and this chap appears approachable and calm, cool and collected.

HONOURABLE MENTION
BARCELONA, CATALONIA

While we haven't recorded a cycling cop in Barcelona, we love this recruitment poster stating that the city was recruiting 150 new officers. Lovely, sensible bicycles placed firmly and proudly alongside the police cars and scooters. That earns an honourable mention in our books.

Keep Calm and Carry Amsterdam

A lovely cushion for your back rack, spotted in Amsterdam.

For carrying friends and loved ones like this:


But then again, you can also carry them like this:


Or this:


Or this:


Or this:

Amsterturbandam

You see so many splendid things in Amsterdam.


I was at the Blogging the City conference and, as I promised the audience, we put up a Copenhagenize Love Handle in the city.


Read more about the Love Handle here and the brilliant Blogging the City conference here.

Hop And Go

A lovely little film analysing the science and art of mounting the back rack of a bicycle. From our friend Marc at Amsterdamize.

Amsterdam, Copenhagen

A few minutes in Amsterdam was all it took to remind us how much we love the Dutch style of riding double.

The Copenhagen style works pretty well, too.

Amsterdam Rush Hour Cycle Chic

We like the afternoon rush hour in Amsterdam.

Dutch Style

Today, Cycle Chic is going to Amsterdam and are looking forward to a little dose of Dutch style over speed.

Who Let the Dogs Out? Canine Cycle Chic

I know we have a lot of photos in the Cycle Chic archives. Sometimes, however, it is amazing how many. It's nice to put them into themes once in awhile. We figured we'd do a Bicycles & Dogs article. Simple enough. Until we realised how many photos that would involve. So... here's a Best of Bicycles & Dogs series. Canine Cycle Chic, if you like.

When the bicycle is the preferred transport form - and the most convenient - it is second nature to take your dog with you wherever you may be headed. Most of the photos are from Copenhagen, but it's not just us. The dapper chap, above, is in Rome.













Above: Melbourne, Australia



Above: Amsterdam, Netherlands.



Above and below: Mexico City.





Above: Nagoya, Japan.











WALKING THE DOG

Carrying your dog with you in your basket or whatnot is one way to do it but it's not the only way. Here's a series of shots of people walking their dogs on their bicycles.











And dogs are handy to have in the city. Like this one tied to the very busy bike racks outside the Central Library. Great for guarding much sought after parking spots.

And let's wrap up with the Man Bikes Dog video: