Amsterdam is Kicking Cars Out and Giving Bikes the Throne!
Did you know that only about 40% of households in Amsterdam own a car? Despite that, cars still hog every narrow street in this city famous for its canals and tight roads. But the city officials have had enough – they are removing parking spots and pushing bikes as the main mode of transport.
Parking spots? Forget it!
This year, Amsterdam plans to remove a whopping 10,000 parking spots! Yes, you read that right – ten thousand! This isn’t just a number; it’s a clear message that the city wants to get rid of cars. If you do manage to find a parking spot, be ready to pay a steep price – 7.50 euros per hour in the city center. That’s like paying a ticket just to drive your car around!
Bikes are the new royalty
While there aren’t many cars, bikes literally flood the city. With about 850,000 residents, Amsterdam has around 881,000 bikes! That means there are more bikes than people. The streets are designed for pedestrians and cyclists, and the city spares no expense on bike infrastructure. They even built underwater bike garages beneath the canals in the city center – yes, you read that right, underwater bike garages!
Why is this happening?
Melanie ter Horst, the deputy mayor, says, “We really struggle with space in Amsterdam. We don’t have enough room for everyone to get from point A to point B. That’s why we have to create more space for cyclists and pedestrians.”
Tourists are baffled
If you’ve ever tried to navigate Amsterdam by car, you know how confusing it is. Not only is parking scarce, but the streets are packed with trams and cyclists sharing the same narrow roads. Tourists often don’t know where to park, and city traffic is a jungle for drivers.
The Netherlands – the land of bikes
The Netherlands is famous for having the largest bike garages in the world. Investing in bike infrastructure is a smart move because bikes take up way less space, don’t pollute, and make the city healthier and more pleasant to live in.
The bottom line
Amsterdam has decided to say goodbye to cars in the city center and give priority to bikes. This is not just an environmental move but a practical solution to congestion and lack of space. If you plan to visit this city, maybe it’s time to leave your car at home and hop on a bike – or at least prepare for the parking spot hunt!
So, what about you? Could you live in a city where cars are unwelcome? Or are you firmly on team “car is king”? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s for and who’s against this bike revolution!
