the secret code of amsterdam bikers

a lighter topic: on some biking nuances of the dutch.

biking is a way of life here in amsterdam -- highest bike populated country next to China, I hear. biking is as normal as walking or breathing or eating potatoes. people take it for granted. people also take it. period. especially when it's really purty. next thing you know some guy is hawking your bike at the dark corners (wanna bike? wanna bike?).

but, i have to say, i'm also really impressed at how the people here bike and 'watch out for each other'.

episode 1: bram & i were biking in the middle of the night, without any bike lights! -- which is punishable by 50euros here in Holland -- the amount, when converted, could treat my whole family to a feast out (as i often like to compare). anyway, as we were biking along a main road, the bikers driving on the other lane gallantly warned us that the police were up the street checking on those without bike lights. and so we turned around and happily veered criminally in other streets (not to be role modeled of course). We were saved a hefty amount of 100euros because of the kindness of other bikers.

episode 2: i had just come into our 2nd floor apartment and defrosted myself by the kitchen window, noticing that my bike was down the street with its brand new red detachable light still on (i had at this point bought a light). with laziness winning over, i resigned myself to thinking that someone would inevitably steal it. the next morning, ta da!, not only was the red light still there, but it had also been turned off and tucked into my bike bag for safekeeping.

i've seen my good friend marijn do that often, too -- turn off the bike lights when they've been left on. kinda sweet. she says it's the communal idea of wanting to save money.

good deed, indeedy.