More and more places in Amsterdam have become pedestrian areas where cyclists are welcome. These spaces are called shared spaces. The corridor under the Rijksmuseum has been a shared space for more than ten years, but recently the situation has become much safer, says Florrie de Pater from the Amsterdam Cyclists’ Union. At the end of last month, the city removed the bike tiles in the subway. “A tourist doesn’t understand that.”
There is a sign on both sides of the corridor under the Rijksmuseum. It is clearly marked as a pedestrian zone. Below it says – to a small extent – ‘allow cyclists on the running track’. In the subway itself, pedestrians were warned by tiles that the road is shared with cyclists, but these tiles are now gone.
Florrie de Pater of the Amsterdam Cyclists Union finds it unbelievable. “It’s not clear at all. Especially since there are pedestrian signs at the beginning with ‘bicycles allowed’ underneath. Not one tourist understands that. So sometimes you see groups walking in the that middle section.”
The subway at Museumplein is part of the ‘Plus and Hoofdnet Fiets’. De Pater sees that more and more places on this main network have become a shared space. “It’s made more difficult for cyclists everywhere with these shared spaces. In the centre, for example, the route from east to west is almost impassable Some streets that used to be accessible to cyclists are as good as closed. Damstraat is almost nonexistent and more and more roads – look at the nine streets for example – are largely closed to cyclists. “
“Shared space is fine, but not on the main cycle network. I have to say that nowadays it seems that tourists are determining – especially in the center of Amsterdam – where cyclists are allowed to ride. So the policy is designed according to where the majority of tourists are.”
The paths in all parks in Amsterdam are also shared space. Introduced in 2013 to prevent mopeds and mopeds. An old-fashioned policy now, says De Pater. We are now on a narrow path in the Noorderpark that looks like a bike path, but is actually designated as a pedestrian area. “Look, in the Vondelpark we can live with it, usually things go well there, but here in the Noorderpark it’s unbelievable for us. The city has drawn up a policy and it applies immediately to all parks. . where it is safe and where it is unsafe Here it is not safe.”
De Pater would prefer to see the paths in the parks that are not used as shared space, and this also applies to the corridor under the Rijksmuseum. “Both cyclists and pedestrians benefit from safety.”
Village response:
“Following a report of potentially unclear traffic conditions under the tunnel due to the bike-shaped tiles, the tiles were removed in June. This has not resulted in any change in traffic conditions. Cycling is still allowed on the central lanes. At the same time, we understand that it may not be so clear to cyclists that they are allowed to cycle on the central lanes. That is why we are looking at how we can clarify this again, for example with tiles or signs on the road.’
‘We are aware of the Cyclists’ Union’s desire to change paved paths in parks into cycle paths. At the same time, we choose to leave the shape of the parks as they are, because we really see parks as places where you should be able to walk, play and recreate comfortably. ‘
💬 Whatsapp on!
Do you have any suggestions? Or did you make an interesting photo or video? Send us your news 0651190938!
2024-08-19 05:03:23
#Cyclists #union #shared #spaces #Amsterdam #crazy #tourists #decide #cycle
