Loves it.
I think winter in Chicago may be over. Highs of 50°F this week!

Lovely

No child helmet law? Or are helmets banned in Holland? :)

really great photos! especially like gal in green hat.

The scene was similar here (Northwest US) last weekend, beautiful weather, lots of people outdoors, enjoying bicycles for the first hints of springtime; but the difference was lots of lycra, helmets, and shoes which could not be worn for walking. I was one of them and I miss Amsterdam!

I AM NO LONGER A CONVICTED CRIMINAL FOR RIDING A BICYCLE WITHOUT A HELMET!!!!!

I am still guilty of the crime but my former conviction was quashed in the District Court last Friday. Basically the judge completely agreed with me, could see why I had my beliefs, felt my response was proportionate but he could not extend my defence of necessity to meet my claims that the element of 'imminent peril' was met by my fears of catastrophic climate change and the need for climate justice requiring me to ride a bicycle whenever possible – however he did intimate my matter shouldn't have been a criminal one – the opposing lawyer was also of the same sentiments – both urged me to seek an exemption which I have done on 'therapeutic grounds' and 'grounds of civil liberties'

- sorry to hi-jack your beautiful post but as always your blog is inspiring and i'm pretty happy with myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Sue! great news

Lovely pics.

I'm cycling through the towns along the River Po in N Italy and there are lots of people cycling 'Dutch' (ie proper bikes, no helmets/lycra). It's a pleasure to see.

lucky man!

You mean those weird looking plastic thingies that people get scared into using, Christa? Answers: nope and we value our sanity ;-p

Thanks, Sigrid! Yeah, me too, she was like a dream how she descended into the park.

That must have looked real nice, Wilma. Of course, with Amsterdam on your mind, you just need to think away those pesky add-ons, and enjoy cycling :)

That's so great, Sue, congratulations!! Thanks for sharing that wonderful news, love it when common sense prevails! You should be happy with and proud of yourself, you set a great example and hopefully this will be the start of bigger changes!

That's great, David, surely that enhances the scenery :). Enjoy your stay!

I really don't mind how cold it is. It is sooooo great to have so much light! :)

Wow :) people in Amsterdam really love their bikes… maybe that's more understandable when you watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an1m7t6p548

exactly, quite prolific coming from a Spanish dude :)

a smooth Van Moof plug, sir, but I'll allow it :)

This blog's audience have come to realize that, no worries and I think our bicycle reputation is pretty much on par with that of tulips, windmills and dope :)

Downtown Calgarians are mid-winter sun worshippers too – we are fortunate to get blasts of warm air during the winter, called “chinooks”, and urban Calgarians can be found imbibing and sunning themselves on patios too! http://tweetphoto.com/12949031

I have to say that seeking sun is really a Dutch leitmotiv. The slight bit of sun and they’re all out… I was surprised by the number of roof terraces in Amsterdam, a city where it rains almost every day. The reason is simple, when the sun is out you should take advantage of it *NOW*. It might be gone in two hours or even ten minutes.

Those who don’t have roof terraces manages too. they just go out in the street
http://blog.re/me-in-amsterdam/index.php/travailler-au-soleil (sorry in French)

Just sending that 3 years old post where I couldn’t understand all these people leaving in the street. It took me some time (winters) but now I fully understand it. You perfectly describe it.

Yeah, I've kind of stopped aspiring to capture Cycle Chic really (unless I just happen upon it randomly), and just enjoy my time on a bicycle in the city – it's a gorgeous city, Portland, and easy to get around in normal fashion, in normal clothes, on a normal bike, without the need for neon, reflective tape, or plastic buckets on your head – even if most people haven't realized that yet :)

Congratulations, that's fantastic news. You should be proud of yourself for fighting what really is a civil liberties issue, and I hope this will lead to bigger change to come. Cheers!

While it usually doesn't get that cold during the winter in Portland, it is cloudy and drizzly most of the winter, and the first day in Spring we have sun and temperatures above about 13-15 C, everyone is out soaking up the sun and you see people in shorts even, with sunglasses, and suddenly bikes are everywhere, like all the eggs hatched in the sun or something :)

I have to say that seeking sun is really a Dutch leitmotiv. The slight bit of sun and they're all out… I was surprised by the number of roof terraces in Amsterdam, a city where it rains almost every day. The reason is simple, when the sun is out you should take advantage of it *NOW*. It might be gone in two hours or even ten minutes.

Those who don't have roof terraces manages too. they just go out in the street
http://blog.re/me-in-amsterdam/index.php/revisi... (sorry in French)

Just sending that 3 years old post where I couldn't understand all these people leaving in the street. It took me some time (winters) but now I fully understand it. You perfectly describe it.

I have to say that seeking sun is really a Dutch leitmotiv. The slight bit of sun and they're all out… I was surprised by the number of roof terraces in Amsterdam, a city where it rains almost every day. The reason is simple, when the sun is out you should take advantage of it *NOW*. It might be gone in two hours or even ten minutes.

Those who don't have roof terraces manages too. they just go out in the street
http://blog.re/me-in-amsterdam/index.php/revisi... (sorry in French)

Just sending that 3 years old post where I couldn't understand all these people leaving in the street. It took me some time (winters) but now I fully understand it. You perfectly describe it.

That's the legal people. They admit they are wrong because of the procedure, they advice you to justify yourself for “therapeutic reasons” but at the end they won't clearly admit that you have a point…

All I can ever say is about your pictures is – Amazing! Such an inspiration.

What you talk about is something that I love about Chicago, after growing up down South – the love and appreciation for the slightest warm up or sun ray. :)

Gorgeous, as usual. Love the shots of the couples holding hands. That's something you don't see here in the States.

We're all soaking up the sun in Montana. Highs in the 50s for tomorrow. YAY! Bikes came out en masse (well, for us) when the snow and ice finally melted from the roads a couple of weeks ago.

[...] And it doesn’t look like it will skip town anytime soon. In just a week we moved from just catching some rays to, yes, dare I say it…springy-dee springtime. What a relief. And no other way to prematurely [...]

Streets so safe, hear gear is unnecessary. Yes, sanity and lucky kids.

head*

Yeah, thing is: I've promised myself I wouldn't get myself dragged into helmet conversations too much, it's no use. I could name a few other things besides safe streets that would make them instrumentally useless, but let me just say that there are a few very important reasons why Europe (ECF), our government and bicycle research & advocacy institutions don't promote or legislate it.

I'll stop myself right here. ;)

Thanks for sharing! I love the word 'leitmotiv' :).

Thanks, Dottie! We are a desperate bunch, huh? :)

Thank you! My girlfriend Lauren absolutely adores those scenes, including the ones where the male gives the female a little push going up the bridge ;).

Here's to more sun!

It's not common for Dutch to like german words…

Agreed. I don't usually talk about it either unless someone asks.

looks good, Sean! Just my size of pint ;)

weird how that works, huh? :-p

call me a lingo freak ;)