Op de fiets werkt beter
So a bit of Dutch for a change. This phrase is a complex sentence.
It contains:
fresh air,
fitness,
charity,
environmental awareness!
It means as a direct translation:
On the bike works better
With a play on words with the word work.
It’s a simple, yet great, Dutch initiative. People are encouraged to sign up and cycle to work from spring into autumn. Then they can log their kilometres on the website.
The kilometres prompt contribution to charity. This year 235,893 were cycled.
2462 people participated from 105 different companies in The Hague. The authority also donates money to charity based on the number of kilometres. This year they are supporting a local children’s charity and an Ethiopian women’s charity.
It really gave me the initiative to cycle to work and I’ve participated a few times over the last few years.
Obviously the initiative is made more accessible by Dutch commitment to enabling cycling.
There are well known good cycle paths, companies provide shower facilities, bike purchase is supported, other modes of transport like cars are subject to high taxations….
Would you cycle to work?
What would make it more practical to do so?
Take it with you:
12 comments on “Op de fiets werkt beter”
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What a great idea. Sadly, I probably wouldn’t cycle to work–biking sets off some wrist problems I’ve had for years and I pretty much avoid it–but if it weren’t for that…
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Thats a shame. Thanks for coming.
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A brilliant initiative!
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Its great.
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I do enjoy cycling here in the UK but would like it even more if it were more like NL & Denmark.
Adopting a similar approach when it comes to accidents involving a car and a bike, with the car taking greater responsibility, would make a huge difference.
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The national funeral protest in London this weekend might help change the facilities.
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Looks like it’s going to be huge. Friends are going but I sadly have another commitment today, will be there in spirit though.
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If you gave five minutes and a twitter account you can support that way too. Retweet #nationalfuneral
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Good point, have a somewhat neglected twitter account, tweet a lot less frequently than I used to, mostly retweets these days. Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
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If it trends it will help. Theres a lot of retweeting possibilities.
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In answer to your question about cycling to work the answer is being twelve years younger but anyone with sense would use the wonderful cycling infrastructure we found on our holiday in North Holland.
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Not having to go to work is a great notion. But what I’ve also realised is that the cycle paths give people freedom. My ninety year old neighbour cycling to the shops was a joy to see but also the people using electric mobility scooters on the cycle tracks are inspiring. People have their long term independence. This is priceless too.
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