Bicycles: my own personal terror

The most amusing thing about living in Holland is how amazingly they live up to many of the stereotypes.


BIKES: not just a mode of transportation, but a way of life.


See, here in Holland, trams are #1, but only because they stop for NO ONE. Bikes think they are #1, so basically they terrorize me on a daily basis. Driving from my home to the motorway is like playing pinball with humans in or on their various non-car modes of transportation ... in less than a kilometer, I have to dodge trams, about 25 humans on foot, and SCORES of bikes pedaling for dear life to get to the office on time. This description leads me to pedestrians. We have these magical safety zones, which are otherwise known as zebra crossings. If you see one of these magical stretches of white lines painted perpendicularly across the road, you just step on out! Never fear! All cars and bikes not only MUST stop by law, but they actually will. Unless, of course, they're an impatient American like me, who likes to kind of roll across them in my car. Cars, by the way, are the mode of transportation in Holland that has no rights whatsoever. My roll-through strategy doesn't always work, though. Take the day that I was just plain tired and wanted to get home. I practiced the roll through, and then had to listen to a not-so-friendly member of the Politie lecture me about what a dangerous menace I am to the roads. Justin had great fun reminding me that Mr. Officerman was right, and I was wrong. All I have to say to that is I fear for the public outside of Kimberlee's car. Why? I can't READ the signs, I just DRIVE. FAST.