Student
Typical Dutch

Typical Dutch – Walk on

I was strolling down the street, thinking about the excellent dinner I had just finished, when suddenly my heart skipped a beat as I realized a car was fast approaching. I froze. At the same time the car slowed down gently and the driver waved happily to indicate that I could cross the road safely.…

The fact that the Dutch give priority to pedestrians crossing the road really caught my attention. For a while I was surprised and still nervous every time I crossed in front of a car. But the Dutch let me cross the road even when they are in a hurry to get to work! I think this behavior is just a habit. The Dutch have put a lot of effort into road planning for a safer transportation for cyclists and pedestrians. Safety is a priority and of course it makes an impression on people arriving here for the first time. In the Netherlands now, I always feel comfortable and safe cycling with friends, crossing the road and enjoying the bike transport system.

By: Dung Duc Tran, Vietnamese PhD candidate in Water Management

Leave a Reply


You must be logged in to write a comment.