No reason to be embarrassed! We bike since we're 3 years old! So quite natural we are more skilled at it! But you're making the effort, just keep trying and you'll succeed one day. And then you'll feel proud of yourself of having achieved it. Keep going! And good luck to you, I hope you will be happy here
Thank you Maria for the really kind words of encouragement :) Wow starting to ride a bike from the age of 3 - that really is young! I shall keep persevering at it, and hopefully one day it will become totally natural.
Just keep practicing. After some time you will feel completely confident and even begin to ride without thinking about it. Just like when you drive your car you might be thinking about many things but not about how to drive your car. It has become automatic. Then you will also realize you don't need a helmet. No one is wearing one. Everyone feels safe. You will too. Car drivers are very careful around people on bikes as they all have bikes themselves (or have had and driven them for years) and know how that is.
To be honest, cycling in Amsterdam is a challenge even for an experienced Dutch bike rider. I remember when i moved to Amsterdam it took me a while before i dared to cycle in the city centre or, heaven forbid, near a tram line. But you will get used to it.
Thank you for your comment. It is comforting to know that cycling in Amsterdam is a challenge, even for an experienced Dutch rider! :) I've only been into the city centre a few times on the bike - there's just so much to take in all at once. The tram lines are also terrifying!
The trams, and tramlines which have to be crossed at an angle, are a complication. But all Dutch are used to cycling in groups. Without really knowing, we look at legs to predict what other cyclists are about to do, we communicate with our legs, posture and eyes what we are about to do to others. Especially the single speed coaster brakes make very clear what a cyclist is about to do, but most Dutch have taken this way of cycling with them on different types of bikes.
Absolutely no reason to be embarrassed! You do your thing. We all have to learn some time. It's easy to be a skilled cyclist if you've been doing it literally your whole life. The skill and confidence will come with perseverance. In a few months you will be zooming around. 😊
Thanks to Paul C for the feedback back on the background audio being too loud. I have lowered it and reuploaded the video, so hopefully it's better now.
Cycling is probably one of those things we take for granted, just because we tend to see it as a convenient way to move from A to B with the least amount of effort in a given time frame. Sadly we forget that most of the Netherlands has that infrastructure, others do not. When people walk they use muscle groups different to when riding a bicycle, I'm still in awe of people walking large distances. The funny thing about both activities is, you can only practice while engaging in that activity. All it takes is time. Find some quiet streets and you will improve rather fast. Riding in Amsterdam isn't the easiest thing to do, pop over toward of North, take the ferry there, it will make a difference, less hassle and wider paths. Do not try to go with the flow, and do your own thing, they will avoid you, as long as you follow a predictable path. I guess that is the most important thing, cycling is predicting what others do at that moment in time. For now, you not yet mastered the bicycle, that comes only with practice. As you become more one with that contraption you will start looking around more and see more patterns emerging. And yes, your legs will become stronger and condition will improve. Time. That is all it takes. And thanks for the re-upload 😊
Glad the background sound is a lot better this time round! I would love to take the ferry and visit up north sometime soon. I'll definitely keep in mind to make sure my cycling is at the very least predictable, so that people can pass me easily. Shall keep persevering! I appreciate the words of encouragement, thank you for this :)
Hehe my husband felt the same as you when he moved to the Netherlands from Turkey. He was taken aback, “ but nobody would be as crazy to ride bikes near any road in Ankara” 💀💀💀 Now my husband owns his own bike repair shop and fixes all types of bikes on a daily basis 😅 I have an older brother who has never even cycled in his life. And he has lived in the Netherlands for 38 years. My brother is the type of guy who has preferred cars since he ever got his license at 18 years old. So don’t worry. You are doing just fine 👍🏼
Thank you Nirrini for your insights and kind words. It's comforting to know that your husband felt the same way and even more amazing to hear that he now owns his own bike repair shop! Much respect! Also, very interesting that your older brother has never even cycled in his life before. I assumed everyone would want to ride, but that's wrong of me. Totally makes sense that he prefers somethings else like a car!
it’s so weird to see this comment because i just moved to Eindhoven for university from Ankara and I absolutely feel the same things. it’s been 2 days since I started to ride a bike in the near area of my house (i know its not much) and literally this afternoon i almost ran over a car when at the same time i almost crashed into another biker. not knowing a lot about the flow of the traffic also doesn’t help much lol
Two tips for starting and stopping: prearrange the pedals in such a way that the pedal with which you start should be a little over the top position, but not too much, otherwise the first push is too short and you accelerate to slow causing instability. For stopping; use your brakes to come to a full stop and I do advise a full stop, THEN put one of your feet on the ground, many people don't make the full stop then there are two (sort of separate) processes; you fall over to the side because of instability, AND you have to absorb the forward speed that is left because you did not make a full stop. The principle is to eliminate the forward speed carried by your body and your bike to simplify the stopping, once you come to a full stop, arrange to which side you will fall over (this is not hard, only a little experience quickly learns you to do this, if possible fall to the right, not to be in the way of other traffic) and put the foot on the same side of the bike on the ground, congratulations you made a safe stop!
Hi Pieter, thank you for your lengthy explanation here and I really appreciate this. These are some great tips! I'm much better with stopping, but sometimes my starting technique isn't great. You're right, it's all about the pedal position!
You’ll be fine. Speed is a big factor in what you’re describing. It’s probably the biggest factor that will give you stability. Once you get a bit fitter and will be easier to keep your balance and feel secure. Don’t measure yourself against us locals. We’ve been riding every day since we were little.
I totally get this. I never rode a bike as a kid, and although I can wobble around now and go in a roughly straight line, it feels tense and uncertain. Need more practice, obviously ... but somewhere a lot less daunting than Amsterdam 🤪. Tension makes performance lousy in all sorts of pursuits 😕.
Hi Tony, thanks for sharing your experience here! Totally agree it can be quite daunting riding in Amsterdam .... I find it especially daunting in the city centre too!
I like the fact that you use the word "YET" after "not". Eventually, you'll get there and it will probably not be a moment you see coming. You'll know you learned it all somewhere in the past when you realize your grip has loosened, when you read the intentions of other cyclists in their eyes, and when you see things you were not even looking for. A lot of it is anticipation and you'll learn it from exposure and practice, so keep going! Don't worry too much about looking silly. I'm quite sure a lot of us (just like in any other country) very much appreciate it when people make an effort learning our habits. ;)
Thank you so much for your kind words. 😀 I can't wait to get to that level where it's almost automatic and I'm a lot more relaxed about riding too! I shall keep at it!
The Dutch toddler and teenager gain experience through trial and error. Cycling through snow, storm and warm summers. And go to the disco with the girl on the back of the bike. And finally cycle home drunk with trial and error again. So the average Netherlands knows the dangerous boundaries with cycling and feels confident. What also contributes are the theoretical and practical bicycle exams at primary school.
Ah yes, years and years of experience in many different situations is so valuable. Wow - didn't know there were theoretical and practical bicycle exams at primary school too! Thanks for sharing :)
You don't have to be ashamed of anything. We here in the Netherlands were kind of born on a bicycle. It is our second nature. You will be fine, eventually.
It can be exhausting when you're first starting and the pelvis bones hurt like hell. But you'll be suprised at how soon you'll get fitter and more confident. Ixd like to hear about your experiences a year later
Both my sons managed to bike within an hour, but that was after one and a half years of riding a balance bike (no pedals) For that first start a balance bike is the best thing to build the confidence and first skills. I am therefore not fond of trainer wheels at all, as it encourages to lean and not balance at all, which results in more accidents afterwards. In your case, rest assured, just keeping on biking will automatically build skill.
That's a very good point about the training wheels encouraging kids to lean rather than learn how to balance. A balance bike definitely sounds like the best way forward. Thank you also for the words of encouragement, I shall keep at it! :)
03:45 that might also be related to the type of bike. The typical Dutch Oma-fiets is made that you're in a very upright position, it comes very natural to not grip the handlebars as much because you don't have to lean into your hands to keep yourself lifted. I am used to bikes like this, and it makes it easy to ride with one hand and use the other for, idk, holding a dog leash. One time I rode a bike in New York (in the park) and my wrists hurt so much after that from all the pressure I put on to them.
@@pocketlighthouse I think the channel Not Just Bikes made a video about the difference in 'Dutch' bikes and those used in other countries a few weeks ago, if you're interested in this topic!
But don’t forget that Omafietsen are not very efficient. Sitting upright with you’re feet a bit in front of your body cost a lot more energy than he more sporty bikes where you’re feet are below the body.
Remember a lot of people don't have brakes on the handlebars, they have the backpedal brakes on the old-school sit up and beg bikes (omafiets). Also if you do have to bike in the centre i.e. inside the canals, it's often better to choose what seems to be a roundabout route on the map, doing more actual distance, but on a better bike lane with fewer traffic lights or junctions. E.g. to get from Leidseplein to Centraal Station go up the Marnixstraat and then right down Haarlemmerstraat, over Singel and up to the left to get onto Prins Hendrikskade.
That's a great tip about taking a more roundabout route which might be longer, but has better bike lanes etc. I shall definitely try and do that thank you :)
@@pocketlighthouse Definitely faster and more stress free, especially when we're talking about the centre of A'dam with all those humpy bridges and tourists wandering everywhere but on the pavement.
@@simonh6371 The stress free part is so important. I can't even think what it's like trying to ride a bike and to be mindful of lots of tourists wandering everywhere! Sounds pretty tough!
TRIKES, are the bikes I am cycling most of the time. No more stability issues anymore. I am not afraid to fall when it is slippery (rain, wet leaves, black ice, snow, oil, pebbles, waste), no more saddle pain, very short braking distance (2 front brakes) and 2 stable rear view mirrors. I have cycled all my life a Dutchie on 2 wheels, no surprise here. Storing a trike is difficult in Amsterdam, but most trike can folded up to reduce space. Sure, trikes are expensive compared to Dutch city bikes. And a flag and pennant counteracts the reduced visibility of a trike.
Thank you for your comment here! :) I didn't know about trikes before and just googled this. I've definitely seen quite a few of these bikes around and it must be so nice not worrying about stability issues any more!
Vacation? Book a small cottage including bikes, or go to a bungalow park for a long weekend en rent bikes. You will use the bikes all day in a save and quiet environment. Shopping, small trips in the woods or biking in the area around, you will develop skill and stamina, and same time have a wonderful time in nature. If the corona-lock down is not any longer prohibiting this kind of vacation.
Its not a sport when you drive on you're bike to the shops, or work. Just drive as fast, slow as you feel comfortable. You should be able to hold a conversation on a bike, if that is not possible drive slower. You don't have to adjust to someone who is driving his/here bike there whole live. You will get stronger the more you ride, and than driving faster will take no effort. If you force you're self to adjust to someone who is just more experienced than you, you are going to hate biking the rest of you're live.
Please never be embaressed if you don't master something please don't. We don't care a lot about what other people think ill bet you be a great bike rider now.
One day you're not gonna need the helmet anymore and your face, when riding a bike, will be more relaxed, not like you're in some kind of pain ;-) Riding a bike in Amsterdam is not for the fainthearted. Just keep at it, you'll get there!
So..... Get a bike Where you sit up straight.....Oma fiets by far the best. Make sure you have a break system that works when you backpeddle...a terugtrap rem. This system is the way Dutch kids learn and helps you stop easy and without doing stuff with the hands.......that comes later. Also....try not to use gears. Some bikes got 21 on them...but They increase speed. You are not used to that. Oma fiets with 3 Max....is best. Use leg speed and later when you are better move up. Think.....How do Dutch kids learn this. They dont by getting a 21 gears....part electric bike at the start.
Thank you so much for the advice on this! I haven't tried riding the oma style bike before, but am definitely curious to give it a go. My current bike has both handbrakes and a backpedal, and I've been trying to use the backpedal - but when I have to stop quickly I always default to the handbrake. Will take some getting used to I reckon!
No reason to be embarrassed! We bike since we're 3 years old! So quite natural we are more skilled at it! But you're making the effort, just keep trying and you'll succeed one day. And then you'll feel proud of yourself of having achieved it.
Keep going! And good luck to you, I hope you will be happy here
Thank you Maria for the really kind words of encouragement :) Wow starting to ride a bike from the age of 3 - that really is young! I shall keep persevering at it, and hopefully one day it will become totally natural.
@@pocketlighthouse I'm sure you will succeed!
A lot more expats should take the time to practice, it's the wise and responsible thing to do. It's only polite to the other cyclists.
Just keep practicing. After some time you will feel completely confident and even begin to ride without thinking about it. Just like when you drive your car you might be thinking about many things but not about how to drive your car. It has become automatic.
Then you will also realize you don't need a helmet. No one is wearing one. Everyone feels safe. You will too. Car drivers are very careful around people on bikes as they all have bikes themselves (or have had and driven them for years) and know how that is.
Thank you for the words of encouragement. I very much look forward to the day when riding a bike becomes a lot more automatic!
To be honest, cycling in Amsterdam is a challenge even for an experienced Dutch bike rider. I remember when i moved to Amsterdam it took me a while before i dared to cycle in the city centre or, heaven forbid, near a tram line. But you will get used to it.
Thank you for your comment. It is comforting to know that cycling in Amsterdam is a challenge, even for an experienced Dutch rider! :) I've only been into the city centre a few times on the bike - there's just so much to take in all at once. The tram lines are also terrifying!
The trams, and tramlines which have to be crossed at an angle, are a complication. But all Dutch are used to cycling in groups. Without really knowing, we look at legs to predict what other cyclists are about to do, we communicate with our legs, posture and eyes what we are about to do to others. Especially the single speed coaster brakes make very clear what a cyclist is about to do, but most Dutch have taken this way of cycling with them on different types of bikes.
Absolutely no reason to be embarrassed! You do your thing. We all have to learn some time. It's easy to be a skilled cyclist if you've been doing it literally your whole life.
The skill and confidence will come with perseverance. In a few months you will be zooming around. 😊
Thank you for saying that :) I shall keep persevering! Hopefully in a few months all the struggle shall be a distant memory. Here's hoping!
Thanks to Paul C for the feedback back on the background audio being too loud. I have lowered it and reuploaded the video, so hopefully it's better now.
Well done, keep it up👍👍👍
Thank you very much :)
Cycling is probably one of those things we take for granted, just because we tend to see it as a convenient way to move from A to B with the least amount of effort in a given time frame. Sadly we forget that most of the Netherlands has that infrastructure, others do not.
When people walk they use muscle groups different to when riding a bicycle, I'm still in awe of people walking large distances. The funny thing about both activities is, you can only practice while engaging in that activity. All it takes is time. Find some quiet streets and you will improve rather fast. Riding in Amsterdam isn't the easiest thing to do, pop over toward of North, take the ferry there, it will make a difference, less hassle and wider paths. Do not try to go with the flow, and do your own thing, they will avoid you, as long as you follow a predictable path.
I guess that is the most important thing, cycling is predicting what others do at that moment in time. For now, you not yet mastered the bicycle, that comes only with practice. As you become more one with that contraption you will start looking around more and see more patterns emerging. And yes, your legs will become stronger and condition will improve. Time. That is all it takes.
And thanks for the re-upload 😊
Glad the background sound is a lot better this time round! I would love to take the ferry and visit up north sometime soon. I'll definitely keep in mind to make sure my cycling is at the very least predictable, so that people can pass me easily. Shall keep persevering! I appreciate the words of encouragement, thank you for this :)
Hehe my husband felt the same as you when he moved to the Netherlands from Turkey.
He was taken aback, “ but nobody would be as crazy to ride bikes near any road in Ankara”
💀💀💀
Now my husband owns his own bike repair shop and fixes all types of bikes on a daily basis 😅
I have an older brother who has never even cycled in his life.
And he has lived in the Netherlands for 38 years.
My brother is the type of guy who has preferred cars since he ever got his license at 18 years old.
So don’t worry. You are doing just fine 👍🏼
Thank you Nirrini for your insights and kind words. It's comforting to know that your husband felt the same way and even more amazing to hear that he now owns his own bike repair shop! Much respect! Also, very interesting that your older brother has never even cycled in his life before. I assumed everyone would want to ride, but that's wrong of me. Totally makes sense that he prefers somethings else like a car!
it’s so weird to see this comment because i just moved to Eindhoven for university from Ankara and I absolutely feel the same things. it’s been 2 days since I started to ride a bike in the near area of my house (i know its not much) and literally this afternoon i almost ran over a car when at the same time i almost crashed into another biker. not knowing a lot about the flow of the traffic also doesn’t help much lol
Two tips for starting and stopping: prearrange the pedals in such a way that the pedal with which you start should be a little over the top position, but not too much, otherwise the first push is too short and you accelerate to slow causing instability.
For stopping; use your brakes to come to a full stop and I do advise a full stop, THEN put one of your feet on the ground, many people don't make the full stop then there are two (sort of separate) processes; you fall over to the side because of instability, AND you have to absorb the forward speed that is left because you did not make a full stop.
The principle is to eliminate the forward speed carried by your body and your bike to simplify the stopping, once you come to a full stop, arrange to which side you will fall over (this is not hard, only a little experience quickly learns you to do this, if possible fall to the right, not to be in the way of other traffic) and put the foot on the same side of the bike on the ground, congratulations you made a safe stop!
Hi Pieter, thank you for your lengthy explanation here and I really appreciate this. These are some great tips! I'm much better with stopping, but sometimes my starting technique isn't great. You're right, it's all about the pedal position!
You’ll be fine. Speed is a big factor in what you’re describing. It’s probably the biggest factor that will give you stability. Once you get a bit fitter and will be easier to keep your balance and feel secure. Don’t measure yourself against us locals. We’ve been riding every day since we were little.
Thank you for the words of encouragement. Your comment did make me smile! I shall keep working on the fitness.
you have more control when you don't grip the handlebar too hard.
there are special sponge-like grips that help you not to grip so hard.
Thank you for this tip! :) I shall try not to grip the handlebars too hard.
I totally get this. I never rode a bike as a kid, and although I can wobble around now and go in a roughly straight line, it feels tense and uncertain. Need more practice, obviously ... but somewhere a lot less daunting than Amsterdam 🤪. Tension makes performance lousy in all sorts of pursuits 😕.
Hi Tony, thanks for sharing your experience here! Totally agree it can be quite daunting riding in Amsterdam .... I find it especially daunting in the city centre too!
I like the fact that you use the word "YET" after "not". Eventually, you'll get there and it will probably not be a moment you see coming. You'll know you learned it all somewhere in the past when you realize your grip has loosened, when you read the intentions of other cyclists in their eyes, and when you see things you were not even looking for. A lot of it is anticipation and you'll learn it from exposure and practice, so keep going!
Don't worry too much about looking silly. I'm quite sure a lot of us (just like in any other country) very much appreciate it when people make an effort learning our habits. ;)
Thank you so much for your kind words. 😀 I can't wait to get to that level where it's almost automatic and I'm a lot more relaxed about riding too! I shall keep at it!
The Dutch toddler and teenager gain experience through trial and error. Cycling through snow, storm and warm summers. And go to the disco with the girl on the back of the bike. And finally cycle home drunk with trial and error again. So the average Netherlands knows the dangerous boundaries with cycling and feels confident.
What also contributes are the theoretical and practical bicycle exams at primary school.
Ah yes, years and years of experience in many different situations is so valuable. Wow - didn't know there were theoretical and practical bicycle exams at primary school too! Thanks for sharing :)
Hahahaha that drunk I’m-going-home-from-the-club cycling with someone sitting on the back is so relatable 😆💀
You don't have to be ashamed of anything. We here in the Netherlands were kind of born on a bicycle. It is our second nature. You will be fine, eventually.
Thank you for your comment here. That does make me feel less embarrassed :)
It can be exhausting when you're first starting and the pelvis bones hurt like hell. But you'll be suprised at how soon you'll get fitter and more confident. Ixd like to hear about your experiences a year later
Given how fast time is going by these days, a year won't be too long! Hopefully I'll have made a significant improvement :)
Both my sons managed to bike within an hour, but that was after one and a half years of riding a balance bike (no pedals) For that first start a balance bike is the best thing to build the confidence and first skills. I am therefore not fond of trainer wheels at all, as it encourages to lean and not balance at all, which results in more accidents afterwards. In your case, rest assured, just keeping on biking will automatically build skill.
That's a very good point about the training wheels encouraging kids to lean rather than learn how to balance. A balance bike definitely sounds like the best way forward. Thank you also for the words of encouragement, I shall keep at it! :)
03:45 that might also be related to the type of bike. The typical Dutch Oma-fiets is made that you're in a very upright position, it comes very natural to not grip the handlebars as much because you don't have to lean into your hands to keep yourself lifted. I am used to bikes like this, and it makes it easy to ride with one hand and use the other for, idk, holding a dog leash. One time I rode a bike in New York (in the park) and my wrists hurt so much after that from all the pressure I put on to them.
Gosh I never realised how much difference the type of bike could make, with regard to the pressure on the wrists. That's such a good point!
@@pocketlighthouse I think the channel Not Just Bikes made a video about the difference in 'Dutch' bikes and those used in other countries a few weeks ago, if you're interested in this topic!
@@evab1410 That's cool, thanks for this I'll check it out!
But don’t forget that Omafietsen are not very efficient. Sitting upright with you’re feet a bit in front of your body cost a lot more energy than he more sporty bikes where you’re feet are below the body.
@@rw80 that's true, but I guess it depends on what your goal is: quick and efficient like in sport or comfort
Remember a lot of people don't have brakes on the handlebars, they have the backpedal brakes on the old-school sit up and beg bikes (omafiets). Also if you do have to bike in the centre i.e. inside the canals, it's often better to choose what seems to be a roundabout route on the map, doing more actual distance, but on a better bike lane with fewer traffic lights or junctions. E.g. to get from Leidseplein to Centraal Station go up the Marnixstraat and then right down Haarlemmerstraat, over Singel and up to the left to get onto Prins Hendrikskade.
That's a great tip about taking a more roundabout route which might be longer, but has better bike lanes etc. I shall definitely try and do that thank you :)
@@pocketlighthouse Definitely faster and more stress free, especially when we're talking about the centre of A'dam with all those humpy bridges and tourists wandering everywhere but on the pavement.
@@simonh6371 The stress free part is so important. I can't even think what it's like trying to ride a bike and to be mindful of lots of tourists wandering everywhere! Sounds pretty tough!
TRIKES, are the bikes I am cycling most of the time. No more stability issues anymore. I am not afraid to fall when it is slippery (rain, wet leaves, black ice, snow, oil, pebbles, waste), no more saddle pain, very short braking distance (2 front brakes) and 2 stable rear view mirrors. I have cycled all my life a Dutchie on 2 wheels, no surprise here.
Storing a trike is difficult in Amsterdam, but most trike can folded up to reduce space. Sure, trikes are expensive compared to Dutch city bikes. And a flag and pennant counteracts the reduced visibility of a trike.
Thank you for your comment here! :) I didn't know about trikes before and just googled this. I've definitely seen quite a few of these bikes around and it must be so nice not worrying about stability issues any more!
Vacation? Book a small cottage including bikes, or go to a bungalow park for a long weekend en rent bikes. You will use the bikes all day in a save and quiet environment. Shopping, small trips in the woods or biking in the area around, you will develop skill and stamina, and same time have a wonderful time in nature. If the corona-lock down is not any longer prohibiting this kind of vacation.
Oooo yes, doing a small vacation with bikes sounds lovely! I'll definitely be looking into that once it's a lot safer covid wise.
How are you doing on the bike right now? Improved skill?
Thank you for your comment here. I'm doing much better than before, not perfect but slowly getting there!
Tip: get a grandma (oma) bike.
They are traditional......realy female friendly....and you sit straight up. Best bike by far to learn iT
Thank you for your comment
Please give us an update. How is it nowadays?
Riding a bike is thankfully a lot easier these days. I wouldn't say it's second nature yet, but definitely it's not as hard as when I first started!
Its not a sport when you drive on you're bike to the shops, or work. Just drive as fast, slow as you feel comfortable. You should be able to hold a conversation on a bike, if that is not possible drive slower. You don't have to adjust to someone who is driving his/here bike there whole live. You will get stronger the more you ride, and than driving faster will take no effort. If you force you're self to adjust to someone who is just more experienced than you, you are going to hate biking the rest of you're live.
Hi Marco, thanks for your helpful comment here. I shall take it at my own pace :)
Actually this is a funny story. It can easily be made into an item for stand up comedy.
:) hahaha I can see what you mean, although I'd never have the guts to do stand up comedy!
Please never be embaressed if you don't master something please don't. We don't care a lot about what other people think ill bet you be a great bike rider now.
Thanks so much for saying that. It's much appreciated! I'm a better cyclist now, not the best but getting there! :)
Cycling must be ever so exhausting when you are not yet able to go with the bike flow as the Dutch do.
Thankfully I find it a lot better now! :)
One day you're not gonna need the helmet anymore and your face, when riding a bike, will be more relaxed, not like you're in some kind of pain ;-) Riding a bike in Amsterdam is not for the fainthearted. Just keep at it, you'll get there!
I shall keep plugging away at it thanks!
Yeah I'm Dutch but riding a bike in Amsterdam would be a bit stressful for me as well tbh
@@SamyasaSwi I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds it stressful :)
Starting on cobblestones is not the best idea.
Yes riding on cobblestones is a bit tricky.
I noticed those cobblestones too. They remain dangerous even for experienced cyclists. They are slippery and have a kind of irregular feel.
So.....
Get a bike Where you sit up straight.....Oma fiets by far the best.
Make sure you have a break system that works when you backpeddle...a terugtrap rem.
This system is the way Dutch kids learn and helps you stop easy and without doing stuff with the hands.......that comes later.
Also....try not to use gears.
Some bikes got 21 on them...but They increase speed. You are not used to that.
Oma fiets with 3 Max....is best.
Use leg speed and later when you are better move up.
Think.....How do Dutch kids learn this.
They dont by getting a 21 gears....part electric bike at the start.
Thank you so much for the advice on this! I haven't tried riding the oma style bike before, but am definitely curious to give it a go. My current bike has both handbrakes and a backpedal, and I've been trying to use the backpedal - but when I have to stop quickly I always default to the handbrake. Will take some getting used to I reckon!
its only redicilous if you dont try
Shall keep trying! :)
See you in a year's time
😀
You need an Oma bike.
:)