Imagine two less wheels per person. It’s no wonder Amsterdam can be so cozy and calm. Replace motors with a little huffing, but mostly laughing and it makes for a very refreshing street life. Oddly, it seemed people were moving faster, but instead of frowns and rage, there were smiles, laughter and all kinds of people in different positions. Girls giving girls rides on their panniers, riding side saddle in the back to the cafe; babies on the front, babies in boxes on the front, babies in back, kids on tiny bikes. Dudes with a purpose; lots of high-G cornering, Mary Poppins style.

One funny thing is, as colorful as Dutch clothing and expressions are, the bikes were on the whole, very dark and non-descript. A few exceptions, like the well heeled girl above with the pink bike, stood out like Dina Martina in Snohomish. I wonder if tassles and colored spokes would cause a stir?