Wiggly Dutch cycle path leaves little room for cars

A new cycle path in Oostzaan, a commuter town north of Amsterdam, has led to much laughter among drivers and cyclists because at some points the part of the road allocated to cars disappears altogether.

A dashcam film by a local woman shows the road markings starting out normally. Then, after a few metres, the red cycle paths start to weave in and out, banishing cars to a thin strip in places.

The cycle path was drawn up after talks with locals, the cyclists’ union and local police. The plan? To create a cycle path wide enough for two cyclists next to each other, with cars banished to second place.

While the markings may appear odd, the Oostzaan cycle path is not the only one in the Netherlands leaving little room for cars. And, as all Dutch people know, cars can cross into the red asphalted area if there is no alternative and no bikes in the way.

‘The Kertbuurt has been a 30 kph zone for years but 80% of cars using it drive too fast,’ local alderman Joop Klinkhammer told paper NoordHollands Dagblad. ‘Locals, the council and the police had had enough.’

‘We don’t mind all the attention. And the videos show how drivers should behave – driving slowly and only overtaking cyclists if the traffic situation allows it.’

Hilariteit rond nieuwe belijning op Oostzaanse weg: “Het lijkt wel een rits”

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