I Love Riding in the City

NAME: Regina
LOCATION: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
OCCUPATION: For money I work at an art house cinema where I do the books. I’m also a film director’s personal assistant. And then I take photographs and make short videos and documentaries for no apparent reason.

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
A few months ago I moved from Utrecht to Amsterdam. Riding in the Netherlands is nothing compared to anywhere else I’ve ever been (well maybe Copenhagen). Everybody rides a bike here and the traffic is dominated by bikes, not cars. In cities this means traffic laws are looked at as guidelines most of the times—it’s pretty common to see an old lady riding through a red light. Wearing a helmet in daily traffic is considered ridiculous.

There are downsides, too. Because of the number of bikes and the riding style of most people, riding fast in town is difficult sometimes. Also everybody rides, so not a lot of people get it if you have a healthy obsession with bikes. And it rains a lot, but you get used to that pretty easily.

What’s been your favorite city to ride in, and why?
Last year I was in the bay area for six months and I loved riding in downtown San Francisco, maybe because it is so different from what I’m used to. I loved the speed of traffic and the idea that I was a part of it, not tucked away safely on a bike path like back home. And the weather... it’s pretty much always great for riding. Hell, I even miss the hills sometimes—though not the steep ones!

Or just say whatever you want about riding in the city...
When I was in the bay area I made a documentary on riding in the city over there, called “Only the City”. It’s 25 minutes of about 30 different people telling us about their likes and dislikes about riding in the city.

Check out www.improovies.net

We love riding in the city. We know you do, too. Urban Velo features a department entitled "I Love Riding in the City," and we want to include your experiences.

Please note, if you want to be featured in the print version, providing a high-quality photo or piece of your artwork will greatly increase your chances of being selected.

NAME TO BE PUBLISHED:LOCATION TO BE PUBLISHED:
OCCUPATION TO BE PUBLISHED:

• Where do you live and what's it like riding in your city?

• What's been your favorite (or the most exotic) city to ride in and why?

• Why do you love riding in the city?

• Or just say whatever you want about riding in the city... Poetry anyone?

Email your responses to jeff@urbanvelo.org.