If there is one major different you can notice right away between America and Europe is the use of transportation. For most Americans, whether we have to go to the store to pick up milk or go see a movie in the theater, we get in our cars and go. We drive everywhere. Maybe if you live in a big city you will ride the bus or walk, but according to the United States Department of Transportation 91% of Americans drive a personal vehicle to get where they need to go. You’ll find that percentage extremely lower in all of Europe.
Here in Amsterdam about 30% of Dutch commuters always travel by bicycle, and an additional 40% bike to work, according to World Watch Institute study. Thats a total of 70% of people on bikes everyday and from my observations I would guess about 20% walk or take the tram and 10% actually get in a car in drive.
I shot these photos of bikes the first day I got here. I was just amazed! I have seen old people, young people, children, and adults with kids on their bike in every part of this city. And because of the way these people commute, they are in great health. It is rare to see anyone overweight here in Europe and ZERO obese people. This is something I wish I could say in America, but we all know that is far from true.
This is a very different way of life than I am use to back home and I have to say I enjoy it very much. Although it is so new for me I am just focusing on not getting hit by a biker! They do not slow down or move for walkers, just yell at you “GET OUT THE WAY, COMING THROUGH!” So always watch where you’re walking here! :)