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hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Hackney Cyclist
@hackneycyclist.bsky.social
12K followers 110 following 2.1K posts
Hackney-based. Advocating for cycling that’s as safe, convenient, and comfortable as it is in the Netherlands. I share my own media of Dutch street life, hoping to inspire more liveable communities everywhere.
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hackneycyclist.bsky.social
5 people, 1 bike
A man rides a cargo bike with three kids in the front and one on the back
January 14, 2026 at 1:58 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
This is what happens when streets stop being shortcuts for cars and become streets that serve communities. Design for people and life fills the space.

📍 Haarlem, NL.
January 13, 2026 at 8:17 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Frans Halsstraat, Amsterdam in 1982 and today. Your streets can be used to store parked cars, or they can be places for people. It's a political choice and city leaders can make it happen.
Split-image comparison of the same residential street in Amsterdam. The top image, from 1982, is black and white and shows a narrow street lined with tall brick buildings, both sides crowded with parked cars and little space for people. The bottom image, taken today, shows the same street transformed into a green, people-friendly space with trees, planters, bicycles, and wide paths, where an adult and a young child are walking together
January 13, 2026 at 5:57 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Greenery alongside the cycle track creates a nice separation between bikes and traffic, helps rainwater retention and biodiversity, and trees help provide shade from the sun and rain
January 12, 2026 at 7:55 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Damrak, Amsterdam in 1987 and today. From multiple lanes for motor traffic there is now only one lane, in one direction, heading out of the city for cars and no car parking. Tram lines and cycleways remain in both directions.
In 1987 there are multiple lanes for cars and a painted cycle lane in between the lanes. Today there is one lane, a wide cycle lane and a child cycling in it
January 12, 2026 at 5:29 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Protected cycle tracks are needed alongside main roads so everyone can safely and comfortably get around their town or city, from elderly people with mobility issues, to young friends cycling to hockey practice together
January 11, 2026 at 5:02 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Haarlemmerdijk, Amsterdam in 1977 and today
In 1977 the road is clogged with cars as two cyclists try to squeeze through. Today cars cannot use it as a through route, a woman cycles with children in her cargo bike
January 11, 2026 at 2:08 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Singel, Amsterdam in 1976 and today. Cars are no longer allowed, only open for those on bike, foot, or on the tram
In 1976 there is a tramway and a road alongside. Today's the road has been replaced by a cycleway
January 10, 2026 at 6:01 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
When you remove through motor traffic from residential streets, they don’t just become safer for walking and cycling - they become places to live. Neighbours add benches, sit outside, and the street becomes an extension of home.

This is what a healthy neighbourhood looks like.
January 8, 2026 at 6:25 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Staalstraat, Amsterdam in 1974 and today, now a cycle and pedestrian only street
In 1974 there are cars parked at the side of the road, today there are no cars as bollards can be seen at the end of the street
January 7, 2026 at 7:41 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
I did find the gritted routes option on the fietserbond route planner very useful when I was over in sub zero temperatures a few years ago!
Gritted routes option on Dutch cycle route planner Gritted cycle path
January 7, 2026 at 10:52 AM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Quellijnstraat, Amsterdam in 1978 and today
In 1978 the streets is filled with parked cars, today they have been replaced by a playground, with kids playing
January 6, 2026 at 6:31 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
A photo I took on Vijzelstraat in Amsterdam in 2018 and in the same spot last year. Car parking removed for bike parking and car lane removed for cycle lane. The Dutch continue to improve their streets over time, some streets in Amsterdam don't have cycle lanes because they haven't been built yet!
In 2018 there is a line of cars parked on the right of the road, a woman cycles on a shared lane with cars between the car parking and tram lines. Today bike parking has been built where the car parking was and a cycle lane has replaced the car lane
January 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Protected cycle tracks alongside main roads, with priority over motor vehicles at junctions, are needed so large groups of young female friends feel safe choosing to ride and don’t have to take risks just to get around. RIding together like this should be normal, not brave.
January 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Oudezijds Achterburgwal, Amsterdam in 1980 and today, with car parking replaced by outdoor dining
In 1980 there are a line of cars parked along the canal. Today it has been replaced by outdoor tables, with people eating on them
January 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
I had the pleasure of cycling along this brand new layout on a road in Breda last year: upgraded from painted cycle lanes in the door zone or mixing with buses to real protection. Improves the street for everyone. Safer, greener, more pleasant streets — and faster public transport too.
January 3, 2026 at 8:02 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Reguliersbreestraat, Amsterdam in 1979 and today
In 1979 there are parked cars lining both sides of the road with cars driving on the single tram line in between them. Today it is car free, with two tram lines and wide footways
January 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Time and again, improving city centre streets for people leads to stronger retail demand and higher sales:

"Plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street are translating into a sharp rebound in retail demand, retailers have been racing to secure space and vacancy is now at its lowest point in two decades"
Plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street are translating into a sharp rebound in retail demand, with a potential record number of store openings signalling renewed confidence in the West End after years of decline. Retailers have been racing to secure space before the long-anticipated transformation of Europe’s busiest shopping street, with leasing momentum accelerating over the past year. Since last January, 20 shops have opened on London’s most famous shopping street, the highest level since before the pandemic, according to Savills, the property adviser. Based on the company’s analysis of available supply and active retailer requirements, a further 25 openings are expected over the coming year. If this pace were maintained, Oxford Street could reach a record number of retail launches by the end of 2026. Sam Foyle, of Savills, said: “Oxford Street is continuing to see demand, with pedestrianisation plans injecting real momentum and vacancy now at its lowest point in two decades. The street is on track for record-breaking activity, underpinned by sustained investment and a clear vote of confidence from international brands.”
January 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Cities aren't loud - cars are!
January 2, 2026 at 8:50 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Favourite thing about this street is the sound. Such a busy street but only the sound of people to be heard!
January 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Ferdinand Bolstraat, Amsterdam in 1979 vs today. Car parking is gone - and so are cars. What was once a traffic-clogged road into the city centre dividing the community is now a busy shopping street for bikes, pedestrians, and trams only.
In 1979 there are cars driving on the tram lines and parked at the side of the road. Today there are tram lines with bikes lanes alongside on a paved street
January 2, 2026 at 8:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Here's three minutes of me cycling through Zwolle city centre on mostly motor-free or low-traffic streets. Everyone benefits from this design: more trade for cafés, pleasanter places to walk and cycle, quieter homes for local residents, and vibrant public spaces. Design for people and cities thrive
January 2, 2026 at 6:11 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Merry Christmas all!
December 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
If you regularly cycle on British roads you'll have come across aggressive, dangerous drivers like Paul Doyle who use their motor vehicles as weapons, the roads are full of them. Their behaviour is completely normalised until the day they run over 100 people
He left his home in Croxteth at 17:29. He drove aggressively back into the city centre. The court has seen dashcam footage of Doyle speeding along residential roads on his way into Liverpool, clearly running a red light and undertaking other cars. Music can be heard on the radio. Greaney said: "This conduct is far from the most culpable that the defendant engaged in that day, but it forms part of Count 1 - dangerous driving - and demonstrates that the safety of others was far from the priority of Paul Doyle even at that early stage." Prosecutor Mr Greaney said Doyle's vehicle arrived on Dale Street at 17:54 BST. More dashcam footage is played showing Doyle following a bus along the road as pedestrians stream around him. It is clear Doyle is getting increasingly frustrated. He can be seen to pass through a red light and is faced by a steady, dense stream of pedestrians. The beep of his parking warning indicators are audible as people pass by the car. He suddenly shouts "Get off the [expletive] road!" Mr Greaney has been describing the moment at 17:58 BST when Doyle drove towards an unidentified man with ginger hair who was walking with a child. He said the man appeared to become concerned that Doyle posed a threat to his son. The prosecutor said: "It appears that in order to protect his child, he placed his right foot on the bumper of the Galaxy as he manoeuvred the child out of the way. "The man pointed his finger at the defendant, who shouted, "it's a '[expletive] road"
December 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
From Brussels to Hackney Wick in 2 hours and 25 minutes #trainsnotplanes
Hackney Wick Station
December 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM