Thread by @LisaBJaco

I’m fortunate enough to experience biking, walking and taking transit around Amsterdam for the last few days - the way 90% of people get around here. The city is QUIET and smells lovely…

Plus it is light out until 10pm…

Playgrounds are in streets! #streetsforpeople

This is about 1/3 of the bike parking at a train station a few km away from the city center. Bikes are priority here - if someone is waiting to walk across the street, bikes do not stop - and compliance seems very good

Got to test ride some sweet ecargo/freight bikes at @UrbanArrowcom!

And just some incredible design, fun, and history, what a delight.

Lots of challenges here too, as idyllic (for some) as it is to me. In my short visit, its clear that economic “class” is discussed, but not race. People of color and immigrants are often left out (except if they bike - that is very Dutch - but not if they scooter…)

And the bike culture is dominant and supported, even across party lines. But is too much? Someone said to us “pedestrians don’t exist in Amsterdam” and when you are walking, you feel it.

And transit is really good. The headways are so frequent, and coverage so good. But transit affordability is an issue, and much like the U.S., children, seniors, and those with disabilities get a fare discount, but not if you are low-income.

Still, so much seamless, quality, integrated infrastructure at a scale that is so easy to navigate, but a ways to go on who it is for.