Cycling in The Netherlands - Brilliant

[@ronwhite8503]

As an ex-pat in t'Netherlands I can testify how excellent, and convenient, cycling is: the only time I drive now is to pick up visitors! It is soooo much better than grim SE England..... I'm loving it.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Ron, I am jealous - I would love to live in The Netherlands but we would be too far away from the family. Cheers. Peter

[@MrTowton1461]

Love cycling in the Netherlands. Great country, great people.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Lurcio, I agree. Peter

[@zerlom]

Lurcio Titters Thanks!👍😀

[@jankokpit]

I really loved your video. I am a former "Dutchman" and now a Canadian living in Toronto, Canada. As a child and teenager, I practically lived on my bike. On my recent visits back to the Netherlands, I saw many changes and improvements within the bicycle infrastructure. And I think that they all are very sensible. I particularly like the fact that most primary bike paths are red. This is something we should do in Toronto to make motorists more aware of where they cannot drive their cars. As I am now not as agile as in my youth, I like to try one of those wonderful electric bikes on my next visit to Holland. Thanks again for posting this informative video.

[@pennyroyal3813]

I came for a woodworking video and found this gem. Thanks for uploading this.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Penny Royal Hi Penny, I mostly make videos about woodwork but I cover anything that interests me. So, there is cycling, photography, woodwork (of course), car stuff, roofing and much more. Many thanks for watching. Peter

[@driewiel]

But these are plastic?

[@lordsleepyhead]

I like these "outside perspective" videos about my country. Especially when they're positive! ;) Glad you enjoy it here but please don't be shy to provide us with constructive criticism on how we can become even better!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

EarthmanFiveBillion It is difficult to criticise a country that has the best cycling in the world and the most reasonably priced cups of coffee - perfect for a mid morning or mid afternoon break when cycling all day. Cheers. Peter

[@robertpersall98]

You make me want to visit! I love to ride and would enjoy it more in a bicycle friendly atmosphere!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Robert, I am there right now, on the same campsite and enjoying the super cycling. Peter

[@daveschofield259]

Wow what an excellent video....it looks absolutely beautiful, like you say an ideal place for cycling. looks like you got lucky with the weather to.looks like its defiantly worth a visit .Thank you for sharing that video, really enjoyed it.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Dave, Yes, we were lucky with the weather. We only had 2 days when it rained during cycling time and on one of those we were moving to a new camp site. The other day was not too bad and we cycled anyway. Whilst at the Petrushoeve camp site a Code Red thunder storm came along in the evening. The camp site owner and his son visited every single camper and warned them and they took the people from tents into their own house just in case. The storm was not too bad but it was a great help to be warned - most site owners would not bother to warn their campers at all. I really do recommend cycling in Holland - it is fantastic and we spend at least 4 weeks there every year. Most years we cycle further than we do with all of the driving (measured from home and back) ! Peter

[@daveschofield259]

Peter Parfitt Wow sounds brilliant.The Dutch are very nice people very hospitable and friendly.....it sounds an ideal place for an ideal holiday,I love the cycle path mapping system...once again thanks for sharing that video and get back to work!!!!.haha I am waiting with eagerness for the miter fence video,keep up the good work Peter.

[@benjaminsteven2830]

A great video to encourage visitors to the Netherlands. We were in this area in 2016 and used the very routes shown in the video, the ferry and the campsite. We are regular visitors and the video shows why! Benjamin and Valerie

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Benjamin, We were there in the early summer last year and the same again this year. Not sure when we will be there next but it could be just after Easter. Peter

[@Vyomesh839]

Looking at our cycling laws from an outside perspective has really given me a new appreciation for it. I know a belgian dude who comes to our country JUST so he can ride his bike everywhere safely. Awesome video. Hope you enjoy cycling in our country for many years to come!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Francesco Salvia Hi Francesco, Thank you very much - we come across at least once a year and always stay for a minimum of 2 weeks. If I could afford it I would buy a house in The Netherlands as it is such a wonderful country. Cheers. Peter

[@ikkezegtie]

wow, you really inform your visitors well! and indeed, everyone speaks or at least understands English in the Netherlands.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Frank, The Dutch are wonderful people and have make my wife and I very welcome during our visits to your super country. The cycling is absolutely fantastic no matter whether you are a leisure cyclist (like me), a racing cyclist or off roader. Many thanks. Peter

[@michaelburtenshaw]

We have canal paths that go many miles around Phoenix Arizona. But does not compare to this but has many beautiful things to see. Thanks for the upload.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Thank you so much for that. Peter

[@martijnfransen9933]

this is briliant my parents live in Stramproy.. they started this route system actually overther now it is in the whole of the netherlands....this is our favorite way of spending our summer. we now also have soemthing similar for walking....Best regards from hollan, Martijn

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Martijn Fransen Hi Martijn, Do I understand your correctly - your parents started the Point numbering system in The Netherlands? It is also our favourite way of spending the summer - simply brilliant. Peter

[@jaspermay5813]

I think he means that 'they' the authorities started the route system in Stramproy, not his parents.

[@marie-jacqueline2180]

A very well done film about Dutch cycling. What I do want to write here is that something in your video took my intention. I saw the map and I did realise that you were just a short bike ride from where I live. You were in Swalmen and I live in Roermond, which is a city. You have chosen very well. It is a beautiful part of Province Limburg. You notice I'm rather bias. On a few km2 a lot of landscape, culture and history. Furthermore the German an Belgian border are very nearby. I want to thank again for your efforts making this film informative and interesting

[@simonesagi6607]

Great explanation of how to use the Dutch fietsnetwork. Cycling in Holland made easy.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Simone, The Fietsroutenetwerk is so easy and very logical. Many thanks. Peter

[@ltg8382]

Thank you for visiting our little part of heaven, Limburg!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

We had to cancel our holiday this year but will be back there in the New Year. I agree, it is wonderful in Limburg. Cheers. Peter

[@woodfordp]

Really helpful thank you a country I love

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Phil, Yes, we go there at least once every year. I am hoping to make another cycling video later this year but it will be aimed at people interested in e-bikes which are now almost as popular as normal bikes in The Netherlands. Cheers. Peter

[@woodfordp]

New Brit Workshop annually for us too I can't ride a bike anymore but planning on going again this summer but on a recumbent trike this time, going to cycle up to den holder Can't wait!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Phil, I am sorry that you are not on an upright bike but must say that I have seen some stunning cycle work from people on recumbents - some using leg power and some with arms. We tend to go in the south. Peter

[@jannetduijndam2839]

Thank you for this friendly promotion of The Netherlands

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Jannet, It was so easy - everyone is so friendly, the cycling is great and accommodation (or camp sites) are not expensive. Many thanks. Peter

[@megcrust7327]

Very good film, I'm aiming to cycle in the Netherlands this year, no excuse as Harwich is nearby! If the EU forced the U.K to have a cycling infrastructure like the Dutch I'd vote to stay in Europe.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Meg Crust Hi Meg, I think that I would do the same - or move to The Netherlands ! Peter

[@zulawoo]

Limburg is one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. And with it being the Netherlands, bikelanes are everywhere. I think there is basically no place you can't go by bike.

[@NakedPigeon]

big tip for tourist cyclists, never take the righter way. be sure they give you the righter way. (make eye contact) Graveyards are filled with people that had the righter way

[@bertjesklotepino]

Mr Stefant and the 5 people who pressed Thumbs Up to this comment............. Please have another look at the video. Especially between 6:45 and 6:55. At roughly 6:48 the maker of the video says something. I shall quote it: "you will find that the cyclists may not have Right Of Way" Not Righter way. En ik ben ook Nederlands, by the way. As for the tip: perfect tip. It just doesnt make sense to me. This Righter way bussiness. BUT!!!!!!! I am dutch, as said. Perhaps i am wrong, and perhaps the maker of the video will correct me and say that Righter Way is also correct. I was always taught to use Right Of Way. Just a tip.

[@bertjesklotepino]

Ps, not meant to be a jackass or anything like that. Just that i can imagine that people might not be able to interpret it as how you meant it. I read it the first time with my dutch brains turned to dutch language and thought you meant to say that the cyclists should never go right............... (de rechter weg)............ But, in the Netherland we drive On the Right. So it didnt make sense at first until i ofcourse realized we are dealing here with a languagebarriere. As you can see, my english isnt perfect either. Hope you take this just as it is, a tip, and not as some other people do (which is: wijsneus......... smartass)

[@zulawoo]

I believe there are about twice as many bikes as people in our country. Everyone has one, some obviously more than one. The one you use daily, some for excercise/fun/off-roading. And the entire infrastructure is mostly "bikes first". The cities have streets that are too narrow, no parking spaces, so bikes are just more useful. Also basically every road has a safe seperate from traffic bikelane.. It can be a bit annoying during winter, (and basically the rest of the year randomly) with snow, rain, wind, but you get used to it. Kids get bikes at about 2 or 3, just about the time they start to walk decently. Then around 4 or 5 you lose the training wheels. And at about 6 you bike to school with your parents. In high school you even have to take a biking exam, just like you do at 18 for your car.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

We have approached cycling in the same way (my father cycled 20 - 30 miles every day until he was 96 years old ! ) . My son had his two sons on bikes at about 2 1/2 years old. It really is a good thing. I still wish I lived in The Netherlands. Peter

[@katherinestansfield9926]

So helpful, thanks very much

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Katherine Stansfield Hi Katherine, Many thanks - enjoy your cycling. Peter

[@vincentmoues9948]

Nice i live near this.i love this:) i love where i live:)

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Excellent - Perhaps we will bump into each other one day. Peter

[@PavBryan]

This makes me #happy :)

[@SlicedSlappy]

you have mesmerizing pointing skills my dude.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Thank you. Peter

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I received a PM from Jochem van den Berg and he has asked me to relay it to you: Hello Mr. Parfitt, Greetings from The Netherlands, I enjoyed watching your video Cycling in The Netherlands - Brilliant. I have a few little things I would like to add, which you might be able to make into a video. This is not meant as criticism, but as helpful information. Around 6 min 40 sec, you talk about the right of way. Often when I watch videos on youtube about cycling in The Netherlands, I notice that people forget to explain the simple road markings which indicate who has priority and right of way. If you look at the attached link. www.fietsberaad.nl/library/repository/ontwerpvoorbeelden/rs_7.%20joostdendraaijerplein%20hilversum.jpg You will see some painted triangles also known as yield signs. If I'm not mistaken, the UK uses yield signs on a pole. The painted yield signs are also refered to as "shark's teeth". These yield signs are both used on road and cycle paths. In short, when you approach a painted yield sign painted whether by car or bicycle, you give way to the traffic crossing your path as seen in the link. Another thing I would like to mention is that the Dutch rules of the road has a ranking system. 1. Pedestrians 2. Cyclists 3. Mopeds and Scooters 4. Motorbikes 5. Cars 6. Trucks and Busses In short, the higher you are on the ranking system, the more rights you have, the more you are protected by law and the more lower ranked vehicles have to take care when on the road with you. The last thing I would like to mention is, when children are in their final year of primary school, they get lessons in rules of the road and how to behave in traffic. As well as practical exercises on how to handle their bike properly. This concludes with an exam where children have to cycle through the city, showing they know the rules of the road and that they know how to behave in traffic. If you search "Utrecht Traffic Garden" on youtube, you can see how one city has decided to teach kids how to cycle. Yours, Jochem. P.S. Apologies if there are grammar and spelling mistake, English is not my 1st language.

[@LeafHuntress]

When talking in aspects of liability, yes they do. Busses are bigger & heavier than cars. So when a touringcar plows into a smart, the chauffeur of the touringcar would be held accountable, unless it can be proven that the driver of the smart was acting irresponsible. The more vulnerable a roaduser is, the higher up & more protected class they are, by law. Actually, there is a class above pedestrian: children & disabled persons; because ALL adults should protect children & one cannot expect a blind person to see a car, so in those cases, the driver of the car should act to protect the more vulnerable. If they do not & a chrash happens, they WILL be held accountable. The driver should have lowered their speed, to account for the unpredictability of children, especially when they are in play. If i'm on a bicycle and i ride into a older person using a walker, i'm the one who has to pay any damages, because i'm the faster/heavier one, so i'm the one who is liable, unless i can prove the other person was at fault. Busses (public transport) of course sometimes have their own lanes & stoplights in the cities to make sure they can stay on time, so in those circumstanses they go before (have more rights than) cars.

[@martijnfransen9933]

no my parents did not started it but the network has been builded first in the area were you were byciling and were they live ( the rst of the netherlands was done much later)it also extends into belgium by the way

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Martijn Fransen Hi Martijn, How interesting. Yes, we have used the system in Belgium near the coast. Peter

[@oostwest3618]

Great footage. You even make me come from North Brabant to Limburg to cycle

[@NewBritWorkshop]

We are planning our next trip to your beautiful country now and will be there in a few week's time. Cheers. Peter

[@nicoles7652]

Ooh. I wonder if you're here now +New Brit Workshop . It's nice to see positive feedback aboit the Netherlands for once instead of the usual "legal weed" (which isn't even true) and crackhead-image that is usually approached. Sincerely Nicole - just an ordinary dutch girl.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Nicole, I do not recognise that crazy image either. Everywhere we go we meet really kind and hard working people who just love to stop and chat to a couple of Brits for a few minutes. We have booked our channel crossing and will be visiting very soon. Cheers. Peter

[@RicOrnelas]

Well done. I must check it out on my next visit.

[@ThoseCrazyrivers]

Hi Peter - We are looking at a trip cycling in Holland this October..so in the planning stage...Could you recommend a map of the cycleways I prefer to have hard copy rather than plan using a PC.....Thanks Tim

[@NewBritWorkshop]

***** Hi Tim, I have only ever bought local cycle maps whilst in Holland - usually showing about 50 km by 70 km (or thereabouts). I know that you want hard copy but take a look at: @en/online-cycle-route-planner There may be some paper products advertised there as well as the online cycle planner. If you go anywhere near the Maas then consider taking your canoe as it looks very interesting. The Petrushoeve camp site also has B&B and is very close to the river and there is great cycling and excellent Wi-Fi: @ Let me know how you get on. Peter

[@Deblijeegel]

Hi Tim, I dont know if there are any knooppunt maps available in English or English websites that sell the Dutch maps. But I looked one up for you: webwinkel.anwb.nl/webwinkel/fietsatlas-nederland-landelijk.html This maps the entire country and is very easy in use. I dont know if they ship abroad though. Greetings, Hadewich edit, they sell them at amazon too but I would advice that if you buy one from before 2012 you only use it as a sort of guideline and use the maps on the road too. The last couple of years this system has been build so if you have an outdated map you could easily miss a lot of the knooppunten in the country on your map.

[@huibroggenkamp5405]

New Brit Workshop As someone from around that area I would rather advise someone to take his canoe to the biesbosch, not only because this is a beautiful natural park but also because it's not on one of the main Dutch water highways that connects the mainport of Europe to it's hinterland.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

But.... beware of the very unpredictable weather!! You may have four seasons in one day and like in England, it is gloomy and wet sometimes for days at an end. And especially for cyclists, there is a lot of wind, especially near open water like the sea, or the IJsselmeer, why do you think those windmills were built?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Ronald, Gosh, with remarks like that you must work for The Netherlands Tourist Board ! We have had some bad weather but never enough to spoil our holiday. Cheers. Peter

[@Fenmick56]

What a great video, explanation of navigating the map was an eye opener! How simple to get around, we have been thinking of a returning but for a cycling holiday next time in The Netherlands for a while and this has made our minds up, later this year we will be on a boat from Hull.... Anyone suggest the best time to go (or avoid) May to October?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Fenmick Glad you enjoyed the video. We prefer to avoid the school holidays as we go camping and the sites are busier then and slightly more expensive. Other than that it is wonderful at any time of year although we have found the winter quite tough ! Peter

[@Fenmick]

Think we will avoid the winter Peter, I will check on their summer school holiday dates, as we are retired recently all are options are open, winters not an option (oh I already said that, it's an age thing! ) 😀

[@Fenmick]

Poppy M, thank you, think we might try May/June, but might have to wait till next year as we are currently moving house. Always prepared for rain, it is part of the British mind set. 😉

[@NewBritWorkshop]

***** Many thanks for adding these comments of yours - I hope to be in The Netherlands in June for a bit more cycling. Peter

[@alexmorgan3435]

You can tell the tourists they wear a helmet and hi-viz yellow jackets.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Alex, Helmets are becoming more popular in The Netherlands but I agree that more prefer to take the risk and not bother. Peter

[@Saartje05]

@@NewBritWorkshop Not popular at all but used by people riding high speed bikes. Not normal bikes.

[@OriginalPuro]

I like that "fiets", pronounced almost like FEETS, are the name for the bicycle in the Netherlands.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Many thanks. Peter

[@frisianmouve]

It's fitting because even very short trips we Dutchies take on the bike, trips that in most countries would be taken on foot

[@jhombergh]

Maybe I could add something about traffic rules in Netherlands.... At many points on a crossing and/or juction, as well as soem roundabouts, you will notice "tri-angled" shaped figers on the path and/or road. We call them "haaietanden" ....in English 'shark-teeth' .....when the tips of the triangles are facing you as you approach the crossing, YOU will have to give way....in 99% of the time that will not be the cyclist, but the motorist that will have to give way to any traffic crossing..... I hope I helped out a little bit, since my native language is Dutch as well....but thank you for promoting my country as a cycle-friendly nation...be well..

[@NewBritWorkshop]

jhombergh Many thanks for reminding everyone about this. I am in The Netherlands now, cycling of course, and managing to dodge the odd shower by having an extra cup of delicious coffee along the route. Peter

[@lookoutleo]

i would love to cycle their i need to learn some dutch , do you speak fluent or can i get by with small ammount of phrases and how expensive is it to camp? can i wild camp?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

In my experience the Dutch speak perfect English and the only phrases that I have learnt are for politeness - saying please and thank you. I have not seen any wild campers and so I assume that it s not allowed. Camps sites range fro Euro 12 per night to Euro 30. Out of high season you can get a discount with ACSI or Camping Cheques. Peter

[@Paul_C]

@@NewBritWorkshop Peter, there is a system in place where it is allowed to set up a tent free of charge. It is called Paalkamperen, Google maps has them marked. There is some further information, in Dutch, at this site www.kampeermeneer.nl/paalkamperen/

[@maaiker2977]

Don't stress about learning dutch. We can understand you perfectly and don't expect tourists to know dutch. 😁

[@pwieringa2]

Just like flying an airplane by Way - Points .... follow the list of numbers ....

[@taerial879]

This KZbin channel has a lot of detailed info about the Dutch bicycle friendly infrastructure: kzbin.info

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Taerial, Many thanks for the link. I am just starting to plan our next trip to the wonderful Netherlands. Peter

[@NYtoDCtoNY]

IT WAS DISCOVERED IN BELGIUM

[@jadu-entertainment]

+Frank W What's the point of saying this in caps? Even mentioning it seems kind of pointless.

[@jhcfight]

Funny to see those two Euro signs in his eyes at 5:43

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Dutch bikes seem quite expensive but they are excellent quality. We have now bought a pair of E-Bikes from Lemmen Tweewielers in Arcen. They gave us a very good price and a lot of help. Peter

[@taerial879]

I like to add: cycling in the Dutch mountains: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXSolZhtnt-Arbs And the northern part of The Netherlands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKWmgnymo7J7jqc ...hear the birds chirping and singing while cycling. PS Nostalgia: cycling in The Netherlands in the 50s: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3nKfaSqqJikgNU Even more cycling than today!

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I particularly like the history of Dutch cycling (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqallZlvn76dbdE) which may indicate a way forward for other countries. Peter

[@taerial879]

Yes, I can understand very well! It's pity, that almost no other country in the world implements the Dutch infrastructure expertise. This know-how could prevent many traffic accidents and boost enjoying cycling.

[@Jerbod2]

Hey there, Fiets should be pronounced as Feets. Just like the ij is pronounced like y (notice how it sorta looks the same, just join the i and j together)

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Manny, Thank you for the lesson - I will practice when I am back in The Netherlands (we went twice this year). Peter

[@johnwoodgate5853]

Nice film Peter but I wish you would pronounce the Dutch word 'Fiets' properly; you must say 'Feets' and not 'Fiats'.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi John, You are not the first to point this out and I will try harder next time ! Cheers. Peter

[@honestyforever1964]

..... And we always keep on the right side of the roads..... In The Netherlands we're done with swords... for about two hundred years ago.... no need.... So? When are you islanders?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I have been driving on the right almost as long as on the left and I seem to be able to manage the switch over each time. However, I believe that there are more places driving on the right than on the left so maybe we should all change. Peter

[@Lunavii_Cellest]

Prob never sinse it dors nothing really and just costs a lot of money, also its not just islanders that dribe on the left 1/3 drive on the left and that includes japan, indonesia and india