Neighborhood Brunch
Car-Free Sunday turned out like I expected. Not entirely car-free, lots of little islands of fun for young and old, cuteness, gezelligheid…if you knew where to look. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but apart from a few more balloons and moderately cornered off areas, for the untrained eye it was hardly any different than ‘ordinary’ Sundays in Amsterdam.
I think that’s a compliment, both ways.
Information booths are not for the young.
First, the organizers (some official, many just residents) just morphed their little events into the urban scene. Quietly, modestly, but entertaining and welcoming. Little tradition here, little commercial modernity there.
Second, this historic, dense city (and country I might add) evolved in such a way that events like these seem to just be absorbed…no, embraced is the better word. A mother padding her son on the back, comforting him, giving him a drink to calm down and sending him back out on the streets to play.
Pimp My Ride
The city tried to have everybody pitch in, participate, on a voluntary basis. Some events were packed, some turned out not according to plan. But that’s fine. So much choice, so little time, I had to be picky anyway. My “Tour De Care-Free”:
- A Park For One Day at Multatuli statue: no one showed.
- Neighborhood Brunch on Leliegracht: very nice setup
- Pit stop on Dam Square: were road bikers flocked to feel safe
- “Cleaner Transportation Boulevard” or ‘Bicycle Party’ on Albert Cuypstraat: very busy, lots of varied events and very nice atmosphere.
- Bakfiets Parade: I saw three people register and found out later that seven had participated. No biggie.
- Whike demo: my personal bike highlight of the day, awesome. Stay tuned for the video.
- Meeting up with Amy Joy, Pete and son: mellow.
- Fiets TV: little market, not much to do, short and nice conversation (on camera), cameraman finding out he’s not the only one :-p.
- Fietsen Exhibition: Art gallery with ‘garbage’ installations and the people in vintage clothes on vintage bikes were out in town somewhere.
- Live music on Prinsengracht: my last voluntary stop before going home.
In that same order, see the pictures I took. On mouse-over hit the button bottom-right to go full screen, so you can also read my commentary:
In conclusion: this event should evolve further, into a consciousness that not only defies the car and its often unnecessary impact, but also the purpose of reminding ourselves that the streets belong to people. Keep aiming that arrow of awereness especially at the young.
Hopefully this will inspire them not to gamble with it, like we did.
Go to Tamara’s blog to read an American ex-pat’s perspective on this day.
WHAT TO DO NOW?