Introducing myself — a Dutchman in Arlington

[Guus]

Hello,

I’ve enjoyed reading this forum and thought I’d introduce myself.

After living in North Carolina for 5 years, we are back in Arlington and it’s great to be back in a place where commuting by bicycle is possible. I love the trails and bike facilities in Arlington.

I was born and raised in the Netherlands where obviously bicycling is a big part of daily life. Immigrated in 2004.

As far as observations on the differences in bicycling culture: I am appalled to read some of the stories on the forum about how the police sometimes treats bicyclists after a crash, downplaying the car driver’s responsibility etc. That would be unthinkable in Holland — if there is any crash between a bicycle and a car, it is taken very seriously. At the same time, as a car driver in DC and VA I do sometimes see bicycles do really dangerous things (I learned the word “salmoning” from this forum).

I hope that Arlington and DC will continue their trend towards bike-friendliness. Hopefully one day our daughter (who is now 4 months) will be able to bicycle to school!

Best regards,
Guus

Topic

[Greenbelt]

Welcome!

[dasgeh]

Welcome!

Where were you in NC? I grew up there, and still have lots of family in Charlotte. They want us to move back. I tell them it’s off the table until I could bike to work. They live about a mile from Uptown, and still wouldn’t recommend it. It’s getting better, but it’s still pretty bad for bikes and peds down there. I hear the Triangle is better, but I’m doubtful.

Of course, we love Arlington, so we wouldn’t move, even if NC became the Netherlands (ha).

[baiskeli]

Hi Guus, welcome (back).

What kind of bike do you ride? I may have met you on the trail.

[vvill]

Welcome Guus! I’m also a transplant to DC (from Australia) and also generally very happy how bike-friendly an area it is around here.

[Guus]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

We lived in Durham and my work was in Raleigh so I know the Triangle well. It is a beautiful place, but I never felt comfortable bicycling there (except on a handful of dedicated, beautiful trails).

Here in Arlington I can actually bicycle to my work, which is amazing

My bike is a Trek 7200 which I’ve been pretty happy with. Now that I’m commuting more often I sometimes long for the more up-right seating position that Dutch bikes provide.

[dbb]

Welcome to DC and the forum. Did we chat a bit while crossing the Potomac on the 14th Street Bridge a couple of weeks ago? Me on a Specialized hybrid.

The folks on the forum are an absolute wealth of information (and occasionally an opinion or two). Arlington County provides great support for cyclists.

Please join us for some of the BikeArlington related events.

[KLizotte]

Welcome! We eagerly look forward to your tales of Dutch cycling. Hope you make it to a happy hour to meet everyone.

[dasgeh]

@Guus 23037 wrote:

Now that I’m commuting more often I sometimes long for the more up-right seating position that Dutch bikes provide.

Preaching to the choir here. I am SO JEALOUS of the “dutch-style” bike options that I see in Europe (I have family in London, and have lived in Germany). Once, Tschibo Germany had a perfect commuter bike — upright, step-through, fenders, chain guard, 10 speed, front and rear racks, kick stand – I think it even came with lights — for something like E250. I swooned. I drooled. I considered flying over to buy one.

Though we have a Biria Citibike, which is very nice and was only $400. We switched the cassette to be more friendly towards the ARL hills and riding with a toddler (BoBike mini seat, which we also love).

We’re considering a Baakfiets for when we have two. Have you ridden them? We’re gun shy about the gearing, and can’t find anywhere locally to test ride….

[Guus]

Thanks for the welcome dbb. I don’t believe we met each other — I haven’t taken the 14th street bridge in a while. Would be great to meet at one of the events. With a 4 month old it’s still a bit tricky to get out of the house though

[Guus]

@dasgeh 23053 wrote:

Preaching to the choir here. I am SO JEALOUS of the “dutch-style” bike options that I see in Europe (I have family in London, and have lived in Germany). Once, Tschibo Germany had a perfect commuter bike — upright, step-through, fenders, chain guard, 10 speed, front and rear racks, kick stand – I think it even came with lights — for something like E250. I swooned. I drooled. I considered flying over to buy one.
…
We’re considering a Baakfiets for when we have two. Have you ridden them? We’re gun shy about the gearing, and can’t find anywhere locally to test ride….

Last week during the Euro 2012 soccer championship I spoke with a lady in Ballston who owns a Bakfiets (one of the modern ones). She lived in Holland for several years but unfortunately I don’t have her contact info. They are definitely an acquired taste. For one thing, they’re heavy!

I’m happy with my Trek bike, I mean it gets the job done. If it ever gets stolen I would buy a Dutch bike. There are several importers in the U.S. that carry Batavus and other brands but they’re pricy; starting at $750.

[baiskeli]

@Guus 23037 wrote:

Thanks for the warm welcome!

We lived in Durham and my work was in Raleigh so I know the Triangle well. It is a beautiful place, but I never felt comfortable bicycling there (except on a handful of dedicated, beautiful trails).

Here in Arlington I can actually bicycle to my work, which is amazing

My bike is a Trek 7200 which I’ve been pretty happy with. Now that I’m commuting more often I sometimes long for the more up-right seating position that Dutch bikes provide.

Nope, not you. I met a Dutchman riding one of those Dutch commuter bikes with the built-in everything.

[baiskeli]

@Guus 23115 wrote:

Thanks for the welcome dbb. I don’t believe we met each other — I haven’t taken the 14th street bridge in a while. Would be great to meet at one of the events. With a 4 month old it’s still a bit tricky to get out of the house though

We’ll look for the guy who is falling asleep on his bike.

[Ryan Ron]

Hello Everyone !!
Hello,I am a new member of this forum and just saying hello to all members. I like to join forum for knowledge purpose.Thanks……

[Author]

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