Fietsen - Episode 1

[@BreadAccountant]

Came over from NotJustBikes i like this

[@AmericanFietser]

Thank you for checking it out and welcome. I plan on making more episodes in the near future. Very kind of NJB to share it with our like-minded audience. If you're on Twitter, come by and say hey. 🙂

[@ladysknightthefamiliar]

Same here

[@bricerice1]

ja me too

[@moonlight-hm4bh]

same

[@patrickcruess7230]

Same here. Wishing you success!

[@MooreOfJason]

@13:05 "I want my infrastructure to be my helmet..." Wonderful statement! For me, biking in South Florida, it's necessary to wear a helmet just in case. If there were protected bike lanes and better infrastructure, I would feel so much safer.

[@MrI-Johno47]

The whole area looks amazing. Just a great development project for the town. I have a huge respect for the city planners and developers, local government that work to improve cities for their residents and visitors. These developments should be promoted widely to encourage other cities to follow in this direction. Great Vlog. Thanks for sharing.

[@WalkWalkWalk-c2y]

I saw a video today about roundabouts in Carmel and it was cool to see a small city making small changes which can make a big difference. Personally, I’m a big city person and I find most American suburbs to be beyond depressing and simply unbearable to live in, but something as simple as this trail and the fact that the city seems to value non-car accessibility makes a place like Carmel, even if not my ideal kind of place to live, an attractive and appealing place. Love to see it!

[@JKRBW]

Also here from Not Just Bikes. Your thumbnail caught my eye because my own Urban Arrow will be ready for pickup in a few days!

[@AmericanFietser]

Congratulations on the investment. Ours has made the car irrelevant.

[@isawrooka4]

This video was so peaceful, i don’t think you have to change a single thing. It’s like watching the vlog equivalent of a bob ross painting

[@mjdoombreed]

I used to ride my bike along this section, it was always great, and had plenty of people on it during the afternoon. Nice seeing someone document it and take advantage of what infrastructure central Indiana has.

[@GreenJimll]

Nice video and some pretty nice cycling infrastructure.

[@UBERKalti]

A lot of the surroundings in this video could’ve fooled me for thinking it was the Netherlands, and it’s not just the bicycle perspective. Looks like a very nice Community Park.

[@WanderingAroundAZ]

​@American Fietser with the Indy 500 and long history of car manufacturing in the rust belt, "car culture" is deeply engrained in that region. That's why I think it's amazing that Indy has the Monon, Canal Walk and Cultural Trails. I remember when the Monon opened back in the early 2000s. We walked a stretch on the north side of Indy and into Carmel as well as a stretch through Broad Ripple. Now that I live in Phoenix, I miss those places. We have extremely poor bike infrastructure here. What Phoenix touts "bike friendly" is typically nothing more than painted "death lanes" that do nothing to separate bikes from vehicles. Only the sport cyclists with a high tolerance for danger typically use them. We have canal paths, but unless you live in wealthier areas, these are mostly compacted sand/gravel and not paved. Mountain biking is the culture here. I would love to be in Carmel. Thanks for the video! (Oh, and yes, NJB sent me)

[@AmericanFietser]

Thank you for watching and your message!

[@A-scketchy-otter-lol]

You’ll be happy to know that new trails are being made, as well as new bus stations that make it easier for multi model commutes

[@RandomPerson123321]

Was following you on Twitter first. Trying to do the Urban Arrow life where I live too. Glad to see more of these bikes floating around

[@Ruth_Rosa]

Oh hey, I used to live right there near the Monon Center! I loved living in Carmel because of how easy it was to bike to so many places. I live in Indy now, and it is... different 😅 (Editing to add that I came here from NJB, and I wish I'd seen your videos sooner!)

[@AmericanFietser]

I hope Indy can get better in the coming years. Our big cities need equitable infrastructure yesterday.

[@sonyabissmire6457]

Love this! So cute how careful you were not to disturb the ducks. Lovely bike paths there. Looking forward to the next video.

[@AmericanFietser]

Thank you, Sonya! More to come and I appreciate your time for watching. 🙂

[@hngldr]

13:00 ish - studies have also shown that helmets worn by car occupants would actually be MORE beneficial to them than helmets are to cyclists. Why don't we have car drivers and passengers wear helmets? We've massively modified the landscape to forgive their non-helmet-wearing mistakes, why can't we make miniscule changes to forgive others'? So glad you made this video - I follow you on twitter but saw this thanks to NJB. Hope there's more to come!

[@AmericanFietser]

There will be more. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@PiotrT-ue1jw]

I have biking helmet that has really bright colour. It mosty helps for others to spot me while driving. If I will collide with car that kind of helmet won't help me in any way. It's good if you will for example crash with other cyclist, street lantern, or bump your head on pavement. They shouldn't be mandatory because it will prevent some people from cycling. Cycling as cardio training has more benefit then you have wearing helmet. Riding with helmet is like wearing seat belt. It's good habit for people that start riding because they will get used to it quickly. So teach kids to wear those. They will thank you in the future.

[@hngldr]

@@PiotrT-ue1jw I wear my helmet for a similar reason - to give my 360 gopro the best view as my dashcam. It works very well to deter many drivers (even just sitting there turned off I notice much better behavior from drivers), and for those it doesn't I can report them with footage now

[@e-BikeLife]

Yes, make it a thing! Anybody who loves ducks 🦆 is alright in my book!

[@Snowshowslow]

NJB sent me here :) Nice to see what you're doing!

[@CareFreeCommuting]

12:02 I mostly commute w/o a helmet, doing a mixture of suburbs, small Midwest city, with some bike paths and trails along my way. When I switch to a more “road riding” day, the helmet goes on…but that is not because I am riding safer, I’m riding more aggressively. I think most of us would likely ride a bike with more caution if we aren’t clipped in and wearing a helmet 🤷‍♂️ 13:31 in the end, if we don’t change our ways, we may have more to worry about than this debate as well, because getting everyone biking or using alternative methods of transportation is super vital for all the people of the world and some animals things as well I suppose.

[@AmericanFietser]

Accurate observation and tactics. The everyday Dutch don't wear them, but the sports cycling Dutch do wear them.

[@tylerlong1144]

I live in Indiana too and didn't know there was anywhere with this much bike infrastructure here! Had to laugh this morning when I got into South Bend and saw a "share the road" sign taking up the entire width of a single lane unprotected bike lane. I've been wanting to ride my bike more but unfortunately I'm in a suburb where there are no safe places to ride a bike for miles (other than just around the neighborhood fun a little exercise) and even if there were, there's really not anywhere to go either.

[@AmericanFietser]

We've lived in Carmel for a little over a year. I do feel they've done so much more than most any city or suburb in the US. It is quite enabling for living car-lite. There's a lot they could do better, and I'll show that in future rides, but for what it is at the moment, I can't complain too much.

[@Viivek2309]

I really enjoyed it. You're doing awesome work. I would love to see more videos like this cycling around your neighborhood and your opinions on topics like these.

[@ThalassTKynn]

Great episode! I love the parking and repair stations. My town has a few mixed use trails like yours, but only a couple. Everything else is sharrows. I gotta get into politics or something so I can fix it lol

[@AmericanFietser]

We need more people with your drive. Go for it!

[@RandomPerson123321]

Seriously, do it. I'm influencing my area just by showing up and voicing a concern every now and again.

[@philipbyrne3037]

Hi, another NJB referral. I did some basic internet research on Carmel before commenting. The urban growth in Carmel is certainly extraordinary. Certainly the Monon Trail exhibits a rejuvenated New Urbanism ethos in a sea of suburbia. I am most grateful to see an example of how conurbations can develop a healthy, more sustainable built environment. I’m from Australia and the most constant representation of City Planning in Indiana is obvious. We have similar problems in Australia but the development lobby often says Knope to this type of development outside of major urban centres. I hope you are not overwhelmed by the attention the NJB link has created.

[@AmericanFietser]

Thanks for your message and taking the time to watch the video. I have good friends in Adelaide that keep me up to date on the Aussie situation. It certainly sounds like you all are fighting an uphill battle the way we are here in North America. While I'm not new to large exposure on Twitter, I am here on KZbin. Very kind of NJB to spread my work. It motivates me to keep going in this content creation space.

[@mmckeeha]

Try doing that on the south side of Indy:). Oh I miss Carmel.

[@AmericanFietser]

I wish Indy the best. Their bike/ped deaths are through the roof this year and it doesn't need to be that way. They know how to build better infrastructure. Look at that amazing Cultural Trail! The money is there, but the priorities are not. Funding for equitable infrastructure is being eaten up by car culture. It's that simple. Not just in Indy, but North America as a whole.

[@mccorn75]

I really enjoyed Episode 1 and the nature views! Any chance you can link maps of the trails you ride in each video for reference, please? For video ideas, can we see a "day in the life by bike"? I know you post a lot of your trips on social media, but maybe the video could show more about how much time it takes for biking with all of the standard stops you do. I recently moved to Manhattan, Kansas and was happy to find that there is public transportation and they are making an effort to be more bike friendly. It has a ways to go, but I am hopeful for the future. For now, I can walk to the library, grocery stores, and restaurants.

[@jrekwq]

99% sure he is biking along the Monon Trail in Carmel, IN!

[@roblowe6086]

Great video. Love these bikes so much despite the initial upfront cost but you do get what you pay for.

[@fayecurnow1918]

I enjoyed this video. I am looking forward to more. I enjoyed hearing the story of your flip.

[@silentbob551]

That was great. Thanks for the views! Would love to see more of the bike itself.

[@halleradam]

I was smitten by visiting NL many years ago, and even made it a priority to return there, to learn as much as I could on short visits that my American life allowed. I’m convinced the largest barrier to change in the USA is land use, and more specifically single family zoning. It is our major root cause evil, and if you attempt to change it, be ready to be attacked.

[@rickb3078]

I have no questions but I do enjoy the nature footage. Will watch future videos to hear your opinions and observations

[@AmericanFietser]

Thanks Rick, I appreciate your comment and am happy it brought you a little entertainment.

[@allencowgill5494]

Brandon. Love this. It’s so fun hearing your voice and perspective. Thanks for sharing this.

[@AmericanFietser]

Thanks, Allen! More to come.

[@mcsequoia5107]

I've to say that as someone who lives in one of the "best bicycling cities" in the US",, I'm very envious about how clean, new, peaceful the MUPs are not too mention the absolutely amazing community center complete w. both a skate & water park! I guess there's more to Indiana than 'The Little 500', 'Hoosiers;, Larry Bird, Mike Pence & Gary, India let on to.

[@rainiervandenberg]

Looks like a nice area to live in. And not a car in sight!

[@AmericanFietser]

Oh there's cars. Carmel is very much a motorist city. That'll be more apparent in future episodes.

[@rainiervandenberg]

@@AmericanFietser I'm just impressed by the seemingly extensive bicycle infrastructure there. Been living in the UK for the past eight years and I haven't wanted to consider using a bike here as the infrastructure is not conducive. Much like in much of the US probably. Glad to see there are areas there that make cycling not only possible but also enjoyable.

[@johnsonfamilyvideos1876]

I love that comment… “that’s what KZbinrs do, right?” Thanks for taking the brave step to post a video. I’ve been thinking of doing this myself for a small town in Arizona. The weather is great here for commuting year-round, and I’ve done it for 4 years now.

[@HJKWRs]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your aha moment. Mine came when I had to pay $1k/week to rent a car where we spend part of the year. An e-bike and the occasional Uber/Lyft are all we need. Not looking back.

[@hank3368]

You should do a video ride down the trails in Indy! Our portion of the monon is being repaved. Fall creek trail is nearly finished expanding, B&O is coming, and of course the cultural trail. Also, you just had to hit a roundabout in the Carmel journey didn’t you?

[@AmericanFietser]

One of these days I'll visit Indy. I'm just not much of a distance cycler and it'd be quite the roundtrip. The Cultural Trail looks amazing and I wish infrastructure design like that would blanket Indy. People deserve it and it would save a lot of lives.

[@xiezicong]

What are you using to record? Definitely interested in the gear question. Hoping to hear your answer in episode 2.

[@e-BikeLife]

Nice to see you posting again. Hope you can keep it going even if it’s just riding through neighborhoods chatting about whatever. It’s kind of what I like to do in my ride videos. Addressing your comment about not feeling valued, I, and probably every other person riding a bike in the US, feel the same. We need to have laws enacted that specifically place the onus on motor vehicle operators for hitting cyclists and pedestrians. The bigger the vehicle the greater your responsibility. If you as a driver hit a cyclist or pedestrian, your ass is grass! Unless proven otherwise.

[@AmericanFietser]

Thank you for your message! That's one of many things I appreciate about the Netherlands. Regardless of circumstances, the motorist is always at fault if/when hitting a cyclist or pedestrian. The burden of safety falls on those who possess the greatest potential for harm.

[@e-BikeLife]

@@AmericanFietser So agree!

[@JootjeJ]

@@AmericanFietser As far as I'm concerned that is one of the best traffic rules we have. Since that became law, drivers of bigger / faster vehicles became much more aware of the more vulnerable users of public spaces. It made a very significant difference to the number of serious accidents.

[@gingermany6223]

Texas (yes, that Texas) passed a law last year making it a criminal offense to injury or kill a ped/cyclist in a cross walk. It’s a start and shows there is hope.

[@nairocamilo]

I still try to wrap my head around the number of laws and onuses here where I live for people that drunk-drive and end up killing people, but they easily escape any kind of punishment with a good lawyer and a WAD of money. It's right there, the so-called law and the many addendums it has! The driver is supposed to end up locked up even if the fine is paid. No one enacts it! Argh!

[@Kingedwardiii2003]

Carmel is a nice area, Indiana is shit during the winter from a couple hours north of Carmel

[@AmericanFietser]

It's not too bad here in winter, IMO. I lived in central Minnesota for 6 years, so my definition of "bad winter" is rather defined. 🙃

[@charlie_p0011]

I get weird looks on my regular cargo bike that’s just long and I’m in Oregon. I hope the box cargo bikes catch on, they are such a good tool/option to have.

[@ProSandlin]

Where did you get your Dutch bikes in the US? I’d love to but an omafiets but they seem hard to get here.

[@AmericanFietser]

Urban Arrow falls under the same ownership as Gazelle and they can be found all over the US. Go to their website and do a dealer search for your area. 👍

[@RobertoFischer]

Re 7:40 I get a lot of people asking me how much my bike cost. Made me uncomfortable at first, now I just say it.

[@AmericanFietser]

Ask them how much their cars cost them every month.

[@RobertoFischer]

@@AmericanFietser oh it's not people in cars, only people on foot, so I'd rather not extrapolate. I usually follow up with "and I only spent about $100 a year on it afterwards" if the conversation is at all engaging

[@daniloconrado6521]

Man, I hate cars so much, the second answer hit me. I got here through Not Just Bikes. Have a good one!

[@AmericanFietser]

Thanks for watching, Danilo. 🙂

[@A-scketchy-otter-lol]

At your first stop at the community center there’s a lovely waterside trail that I’ve loved riding on warmer days

[@A-scketchy-otter-lol]

Nevermind you already know about it lol

[@Bizcachi]

Liked the video!

[@BruceWaynesaysLandBack]

Awesome camerawork

[@icingfeestbeest]

Concerning helmets one argument changed my mind. I'm a father, I have children. If I have a stupid fall with my bike and hit my head on the curb I will hopefully be fine. I don't care how I look while I'm commuting. On top of that I make my kids wear helmets since they have touched a bike. I'm not trying to save myself from a big SUV crushing me, I just don't want to be disabled or die because I was not paying attention to a pothole or curb for a second and stupid stuff happens.

[@DougGrinbergs]

Audio level seems a few dB low

[@rickb3078]

Was fine for me.

[@JaccovanSchaik]

Agreed, could do with a little more volume. I had to turn my speakers up for this. Nice video otherwise!

[@AmericanFietser]

First run, new audio equipment, new editing software, no idea what I'm doing. I'll click the bar up a little next time. 😂

[@Snowshowslow]

It adds to the calm feeling of cycling through nature :)

[@ike1660]

I'm Dutch and you're being way to nice about us ;) Love the episode, keep it up!

[@SpikeyTech]

Didn't know you had a YT till you tweeted about it. Been following you on Twitter for some time, and your account is a gold mine

[@AmericanFietser]

I appreciate this feedback. Thank you! Happy to have you along for the ride. 🙂

[@PiotrT-ue1jw]

Awesome city for cycling. In Poland we have sometimes much worse cycling infrastructure. Would love to live there.

[@JacobBax]

The public rest rooms is what I miss here in the Netherlands. Great video

[@jamieswedler2793]

"I know where I want to go. I just don't know how to get there." ~The American bicycling experience in a nutshell.

[@AmericanFietser]

🎯

[@williamogrady9063]

Love the vid and the whole idea of your channel. As a rec cyclist myself, can you show how you run errands, perhaps weekly food shopping and such? Do you contend with roads and how you secure your bike, etc. when on shopping trips. Thank you!

[@AmericanFietser]

My "How To Ride A Bike In Carmel Indiana" videos show off real-time errand rides with no edits. They were meant to give an idea just how day to day riding is around here.

[@mightymacabee]

It seems this is a bike trial, it would be interesting to see if the regular streets are as nice.

[@jazmintrejooliver3703]

Where did you get that bike?

[@AmericanFietser]

It was ordered locally. If you go to Urban Arrow's website, you can do a dealer search for your area.

[@hondaryder3779]

Looks nicer than most NA cities, but what's it like in busy traffic? 🇳🇱NL

[@AmericanFietser]

We suffer from double-lane roundabouts and deadly traffic.

[@DavidBrown-mt7wl]

Here from njb! I lived in Indy for a minute and thought about biking to work, but realized I wanted to live :/ Def some nice trails around tho!

[@AmericanFietser]

From what I've seen this year, Indy bikes and pedestrians are being injured and killed at alarming rates with almost no proper reaction from leadership. I really hope big changes come to Indy soon to stop the vehicular violence.

[@mgrieser]

I’m in Irvington-not too far away from you. Carmel has so much better bike infrastructure than Irvington. I’ll keep trying to get us caught up! Keep up the good work.

[@yaash4123]

That's a really nice looking bike.

[@drewsmith7726]

Nice cargo bike! How do you keep it from getting stolen?

[@AmericanFietser]

That's really all subjective depending on where you go and where you live. You can employ a series of locks that are applicable to the threat level for your area. After all, any bike can be stolen given enough time. The goal is to make it undesirable or too time consuming.

[@saulgarza9276]

Right on! I grew up in Hamilton county in secluded suburbs. Kinda sticks you to a computer chair growing up. Carmel looks to be doing much better nowadays although I went to downtown Indy instead nearby to a grocer. Unfortunately I still find myself using my car too often but I appreciate the added walkability Love the video! It’s amazing how distinctly the sound of “central indiana” comes through online 🪳

[@Nathan_Mash]

When was the last time you accidentally ate a bug?

[@AmericanFietser]

This week. 🤢

[@mikepictor]

Is it a challenge to do maintenance on the arrow from the US?

[@AmericanFietser]

Aside from brake pads, there's not much to do to the bike.

[@claudec9182]

I wish other places were like Carmel too. I live in Indiana and most cities even close to Indinapolis arent nearly as good. They've had the success/wealth to develop this infrustructure. It's time we start doing the same for lower income counties too!

[@CasperEgas]

Do you cycle to work too? I am a geography teacher and work about a 12 minute cycle ride away from my house, so that is great!

[@rdewey]

I love what you are doing here. I’ve been trying to think of ways to influence my community (and others) to optimize for biking (and density) rather than cars and sprawl. I’d like to make some videos too! May I ask what camera and mic you are using? Love the video and commentary (came from Not Just Bikes).

[@AmericanFietser]

Thanks for your message, Rob. I'll make a video about the simple setup soon, but for now the audio is Rode Wireless Go and camera a GoPro8. My feelings towards GoPro are somewhat negative, so that aspect of the AV will likely change in the future.

[@johnpaulyates1655]

Nice bakfiets, man!! 😃👍 I live in the mountainous Mid Atlantic region of the country where owning a car is just necessary. But here’s the truth about America and Canada: Cars don’t make you free. They just make you poor!!

[@WanderingAroundAZ]

Yes, they do!

[@NonsenseFabricator]

This audio is real quiet...

[@rkma]

I don't like helmets, either, except for bike parks and MTBing, which is rarer and rarer for me.

[@robertocalibancove8245]

The volume is pritty low.

[@docvideo93]

Came here from Not Just Bikes!

[@AmericanFietser]

Welcome!

[@david.godlewski]

you’re speaking my language my friend

[@JAKempelly]

You're very calming to listen to. And Carmel looks beautiful.

[@AmericanFietser]

Ha, that's the first time I've ever heard that. Thank you! 😃

[@TylerProvick]

I'd love one of these bikes, but I can't fully replace my car, so the cost savings vs a car doesn't help. Also, it looks like prices are up significantly currently, maybe they'll come down.

[@AmericanFietser]

Where and how you live definitely makes this more viable for some than others. Also, local infrastructure is a major player in that. We live centrally and locally, so it makes sense for us. It was a gradual life change that didn't come quickly or easily. Maybe you'll get there one day, or at least your own version of car-lite living if possible.

[@TylerProvick]

@@AmericanFietser I'm in Ottawa, which is considered very bike friendly for North America. Since the pandemic I work from home so we went down to 1 car. Now sometimes my wife and I conflict in the evenings and I was thinking about getting an Urban Arrow. However we'd have to reach the point where we need the second car *and* I feel like I can survive with an Urban Arrow instead. So, not anytime soon, sadly.

[@Kram1032]

"massive exaggeration" Only slight exaggeration to my mind lol

[@Tom_Dahl]

Great Video! But next time you should turn up the volume a bit. I have the video on full blast with headphones it, and it's a bit hard to hear.

[@AmericanFietser]

This is the 2nd time I'm hearing this. Odd, as I don't have volume problems on the phone or tv. Anyway, it was the first run with new audio equipment, so it's a work in progress.

[@Livisliving]

Yup had to turn up on mine too…still clear just hoping I don’t get blasted by a KZbin ad! Lol

[@quinncasey120]

Nice video, Carmel looks gorgeous. Your take on helmets reminds me of MrMoneyMustache's response to people saying "but biking is so much more dangerous compared to cars". The damage to your health of NOT cycling (or being active) is statistically much more dangerous than being hurt while on a bike. Whatever gets you pedaling on two wheels, be it the wind in your hair or the security of a helmet, just do it.

[@ooogyman]

Not Just Bikes brought me here and I think this series is great! I was getting a little dizzy watching the face-camera while riding (I think watching the scenery pass backwards was too much for my inner ear); I think either riding slower or zooming in closer to your face might help. Nevertheless, I support anyone continuing to evangelize the benefits of a bike- and pedestrian-centric lifestyle!

[@AmericanFietser]

I hope you'll stick around and look away when necessary. I'm a KZbin amateur trying to inspire, educate, and entertain the urbanist world. 🙂

[@Owwliv]

I wear a helmet because sometimes I run into bollards.

[@thomedj]

This is exactly what it's like to be surrounded by car-centric culture in a forward-looking bastion of reasonableness for the sake of property values. In the absence of government incentive structures, I would expect that no household in the bottom quintile of earnings lives within easy walking distance of this route.

[@WanderingAroundAZ]

The Monon runs north-south through pretty much central Indianapolis with Carmel being an upper-crust suburb on the north end. The trail goes through many economic areas. Unfortunately, the condition of the trail and amenities along it vary greatly depending on the amount of tax dollars going into it along each stretch.

[@qgames1006]

Answer first Q = bring car people to the netherlands,and travel true the country.

[@frankcander]

Why do you live in a place that starts with car if you prefer biking?

[@charliebozzo9948]

Volume is not so good. First time seeing. Want to like. Not sure what I'm liking. I guess a portrait stroll is better? than the typical knee pump.

[@drooplug]

Don't like helmets? Get a hövding!