Since most of the bicycles here look exactly the same - two models seem most popular, the "Gazelle" and the "Sparta" - it is curious how people deal with finding their bike after returning to the station. I suppose it is like the sound of your own child's voice in a crowded room, you become tuned to the scratches and dents that make your bicycle yours. I understand that it is common for tourists who rent bicycles to report them stolen when they return to where they have locked it up and can't remember which one was theirs. It's worth noting that Amsterdam is also the city that pioneered the "free" bike system, where brightly colored bikes (pink I think) were left around the city. If you needed a bike, you just grabbed one, rode it to your destination and left it for someone else to use. The system was stopped after a short time and largely considered to be a failure. Most of the bikes ended up in the canals.

So what's with all the bikes? It is not like they have a nation of health nuts over here (see café lifestyle). It turns out that with a nation as flat as Holland - ever wonder where the expression, "flat as a pancake" comes from? - bicycles make exceedingly practical transportation. We rented bicycles in Eindhoven when visiting friends and on their suggestion. It seemed like a quaint idea to me, but it was just normal to them. 

After spending the day on a bicycle in Eindhoven and since watching the cyclists around the city, a few things have occurred to me. First, the bells - they seem charming and cute, but the bell is an important necessity when sharing a city way with pedestrians; without the bells you would either have a lot of people riding around yelling - "Hey look out!" or "Coming through!", or a lot of bike-on-person accidents - and how civilized is that? Besides the fact that it would interrupt the cyclist's conversation on his mobile phone. 

As a pedestrian, when we first arrived, I found the bicyclists annoying and aggressive. Always ringing their bells, occasionally giving me dirty looks for standing in their way while I read the map. I was frustrated that they appeared to give no indication of which way they were going at intersections and when they had the right of way. Until I rode one myself; then I discovered that the cyclists do signal, just not very obviously. A quick downward point to the left or right with an extended index finger, is the acceptable gesture, long enough to make your intention understood, but not so long as to make a spectacle of yourself.

The last thing I noticed is that it's not a race, it's a fashion show. Leave your tough mountain bike, spandex shorts and snap-in shoe bindings at home, and put on a suit. Pick out a vintage Sparta in basic black, with long fenders and a dented chain guard. Strap your brief case to the rack on the back, push your sunglasses up on your forehead, ring your little bell and start peddling. Maybe instead of a brief case you have a chic-looking young lady riding side-saddle on the rack? Either way, you look good. Don't forget to ring your little bell.

- rob

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