Dutch Bikes

There is nothing the Dutch love more than their bikes and there is no better way to assimilate to Dutch culture than to have your own. With 23 million bicycles in the small country, there are actually more bikes than people. Rain, wind or shine you hop on and ride. A Dutch Bicycle story peers into the lives of 4 international students and their dutch adventures. 

Taken before the COVID-19 pandemic by emerging Norwegian-Dutch photographer Emil Hildebrand, he captures these expats newfound and old found love with their two wheelers. You can find out more about him below.

This is Lea. She is from a small town in Austria but feels most at home in the country’s capital of Vienna. You will never find Lea without a paperback book in her hand, she says it gives her mind a rest from the screens we’re always all looking at. Lea’s picked up her bike second hand and called it Babe. She says its charmingly broken and doesn’t mind getting lost on it after a night out. She got Babe tattooed on her leg this winter so I guess you can say the two have gone into a lifelong commitment.

This is Lorenz. He’s from the heart of the Black Forest in South, Germany. He’s been cycling since he could remember his own actions. And the frame of this bike was passed down to him from his grandfather. He has an insane connection to this race bike, which is just one of many. He loves it history and its nostalgic look. Lorenz goes to University in Münster where he bikes everywhere. “It’s more convenient than anything else and it’s good for the environment too”, he says. However, Germans take their cycling quite seriously, you wouldn’t want to take Dutch habits across that border or you’ll find yourself with a fine. “Biking’s great are more people should try it” is Lorenz’s piece of advice.

This is Bea. She’s half Spanish half German. She’s grown up in a lot of different places and realizes that, if shes connect with someone or something, a lot of places can make her feel at home. But in the last few years, the lakeside town of Konstanz is where she’s settled in. Bea likes the idea of reinventing herself in new surroundings. She thinks it’s a great way to develop your own personal identity. Upon arrival to the Netherlands, the lugged her heavy bike from Amsterdam to Rotterdam on the train. The bike is rusted and slow. The breaks almost don’t work right, but that’s okay, it has had many different owners and that’s what gives it character. But with its’s comfortable seat and brand-new basket, Bea’s bike is perfect for her time in The Netherlands.

This is Haesu. She’s Korean American and is studying in Seoul, South Korea. She loves the fact she’s been able to study in three different countries; it has shaped her in numerous ways. She barely knew how to ride a bike before coming to the Netherlands, so she scared of everything…  in a fearless kind of way. Her first experience riding was in the countryside of the Netherlands and it resulted in her losing control down and hill and hitting a bridge straight on. She’s alright and loves cycling more than ever. She saw her bike in a shop and snagged it right away. Its feminine nature spoke to her. It represents her personality and style and she can immediately spot it in a shed full of bikes. It doesn’t have a kickstand, but it has a compass making it one of the more unique bikes in Rotterdam.  

Strike Out,

Writer: Alessandra Cruz

Editor: Savannah Tindall and Amy Dantin

Photographer: Emil Hildebrand

Graphics: Audrey Estupian

Tallahassee