Amsterdam, Netherlands Part 1

 When I first stepped foot onto the sidewalk of my hotel in Amsterdam, it took me a few minutes to collect my thoughts. What a completely different feel of transportation compared to what I had observed in Copenhagen and Malmӧ. It felt like controlled chaos, however, my gut wasn't telling me whether it was good or bad. I figured that would be decided after spending days observing, walking, and biking through Amsterdam. 

I observed pedestrians and cyclists cross the roadway wherever they liked. Red bike lanes (sometimes impeded by parked cars), red separated/protected bike facilities, red lanes where bikes/cars shared the facility but cars were guests, as well as tram lines through the middle.    

        

The first day I spent walking around Amsterdam with my partner-in-crime getting my bearings and observing the City. One item that was quite noticeable was how difficult in many areas it was to be a pedestrian versus a cyclist. Many times sidewalks were impeded by bikes, mopeds, garbage cans, or quite narrow where it was easier to walk elsewhere such as a bike facility or in the travel lane watching for cars.

The City was beautiful with amazing history, new and old architecture, a canal system full of boats, street markets, and packed restaurants.

     

    

    

    

    

Next is to observe the City on a bike.....