Why Europe Rides While America Drives
I spent eight years stationed in Germany, long enough for the rhythm of the place to seep into my bones. You learn a lot about a culture by watching how people move through their world, and one thing became impossible to ignore: Europeans love their bikes. Not in the weekend‑warrior, Lycra‑and‑carbon‑fiber way we often see in the States, but as a daily, lived‑in mode of travel.
In Germany, I watched retirees glide past morning traffic with baskets full of groceries. Teenagers pedaled to school in quiet streams. Office workers arrived at their jobs without ever touching a steering wheel. For many locals, the bike isn’t a hobby—it’s the default. Driving is the alternative.
And if Germany is the eye‑opener, the Netherlands is the full awakening.
The Dutch didn’t just make room for bikes; they redesigned their entire transportation philosophy around them. Their solution is elegant, safe, and shockingly efficient. If you’ve never seen how they do it, take a moment and watch this short breakdown: Netherlands’ Bike Infrastructure
It’s not just about bikes. It’s about designing a future where movement feels human again—quiet, communal, and woven into the landscape instead of fighting against it.
Maybe that’s why those years in Europe stuck with me. The Custodian’s world is built on choices that shape the future. And sometimes the smallest choices—like how we travel—tell the biggest truths about who we are becoming. And with things getting pricier, it makes sense to conserve cash flow...$6 a gallon??
Below is the link to Amazon bikes. It can save you money in the long run.
https://youtu.be/Hb0QjASuuqI?si=QZdQlqcrsafBoHd3
If you purchase one of these beauties, I could get a commission.
