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hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Hackney Cyclist
@hackneycyclist.bsky.social
11K followers 100 following 1.9K 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
Hackney Cyclist @hackneycyclist.bsky.social · Mar 11
Right in the heart of the city what would be car parking in the UK is instead space for bike parking, greenery, and outdoor dining. When you make city centres safe and welcoming with cycle routes in every direction, you don't need endless car parks. Cities thrive when places are built for people.
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
brenttoderian.bsky.social
It’s not just about what you remove (cars, noise, dirty air). It’s about what you add (people walking, a lot of bike parking, trees, outdoor dining, and room for kids to play safely). Amsterdam: 1986 and today.

Streets for people.

HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social for the great before-and-after
Before and after, street filled with cars to a street for people including kids
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 AM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Scheldestraat, Amsterdam in 1980 and 2023. Wide multi lane roads in cities may have made sense decades ago but now they are being designed out of Dutch cities
A four land road with car parking in 1980, now reduced to two lanes with parking
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Protected cycle tracks with floating bus stops keep people of all ages safe on bikes whilst also allowing buses to move freely without being delayed by slower cyclists.
November 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Haarlemmerstraat, Amsterdam in 1977 and today
In 1977 there are cars parked on both sides of the street. Today this is a bike only through route. A teenager cycles towards the camera
November 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Leidseplein, Amsterdam in 1972 and today
Then and now comparison of Leidseplein in Amsterdam — the 1972 photo shows a car-filled intersection in front of Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, while the modern photo shows the same scene transformed into a pedestrian plaza with people walking and trams nearby.
November 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
drjennings.bsky.social
Be clear, the American far right are coming for British democracy.
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Leidseplein, Amsterdam in 1972 and today
Then and now comparison of Leidseplein in Amsterdam — the 1972 photo shows a car-filled intersection in front of Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, while the modern photo shows the same scene transformed into a pedestrian plaza with people walking and trams nearby.
November 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Greenery alongside cycle tracks cuts the risk of flooding by managing stormwater locally, the hedge also makes a nice barrier between bikes and motor vehicles, reducing spray from motor vehicles during rain, as well as improving the look of the street.
November 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Cracking map. A few years ago I labelled a few still existing places on the "Dalston Interchange" image for a blog post I never got round to writing
An image of the proposed Dalton Interchange with various local street or buildings labelled
November 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Ferdinand Bolstraat, Amsterdam in 1979 and today. Not only has car parking been removed but all cars have too, this busy shopping street is now for bikes, pedestrians and trams only
In 1979 there re car parked on both sides of the road, with cars driving on the tramways. Today there are tramways in the middle, cycleways either side and wide footways, with no cars. Two police officers cycle side by side
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Haarlemmerstraat, Amsterdam in 1977 and today
In 1977 there are cars parked on both sides of the street. Today this is a bike only through route. A teenager cycles towards the camera
November 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Protected cycle tracks are not just for cyclists, they allow more freedom for those with mobility issues
November 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
wileyfuller.bsky.social
The demographic of the people on bikes also says a lot about how safe they feel riding.
Before: entirely men.
Now: mostly women.
hackneycyclist.bsky.social Hackney Cyclist @hackneycyclist.bsky.social · 3d
Prins Hendrikkade, Amsterdam in 1980 and today. Cars can no longer use this route in front of Centraal station, now reserved for only people on foot, bike or on the tram
In 1980 there are four lanes of cars stopped at a traffic light, with bikes positioned in front of them. Today there is a wide footway, wide bidirectional cycleway and a tram line alongside, with motor traffic prohibited. A queue of cyclists wait at the traffic light
November 8, 2025 at 2:52 AM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Prins Hendrikkade, Amsterdam in 1980 and today. Cars can no longer use this route in front of Centraal station, now reserved for only people on foot, bike or on the tram
In 1980 there are four lanes of cars stopped at a traffic light, with bikes positioned in front of them. Today there is a wide footway, wide bidirectional cycleway and a tram line alongside, with motor traffic prohibited. A queue of cyclists wait at the traffic light
November 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Berenstraat, Amsterdam in 1983 and today
In 1983 there are cars parked on one side of the road leaving a narrow lane for traffic in one directions and narrow footways with bollards. Today there is no car parking, wider footways with no bollards and room for two way cycling, with one way for motor traffic
November 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Ferdinand Bolstraat, Amsterdam in 1979 and today. Not only has car parking been removed but all cars have too, this busy shopping street is now for bikes, pedestrians and trams only
In 1979 there re car parked on both sides of the road, with cars driving on the tramways. Today there are tramways in the middle, cycleways either side and wide footways, with no cars. Two police officers cycle side by side
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
thehistoryguy.bsky.social
Get your colleagues and friends off it, folks.
November 6, 2025 at 11:22 AM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Berenstraat, Amsterdam in 1983 and today
In 1983 there are cars parked on one side of the road leaving a narrow lane for traffic in one directions and narrow footways with bollards. Today there is no car parking, wider footways with no bollards and room for two way cycling, with one way for motor traffic
November 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Whilst other councils in London are finally catching up and proposing safe cycling schemes Hackney Council, yet again, proposes terrible designs 20 years out of date, with cycle lanes that give up at every bus stop and junction. Do have your say consultation.hackney.gov.uk/streetscene/...
A Hackney Council scheme where a cycle lane gives up at a junction A Hackney Council scheme where a cycle lane gives up at bus stops
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Haarlemmerstraat, Amsterdam in 1971 and today, now a cycling and walking only route
Top shows a wide street filled with cars, driving in multiple lanes. People walk along narrow sidewalks, and a few cyclists ride cautiously among the traffic. Bottom: The same view today shows a cycle only route including a parent riding with a child in a cargo bike.
November 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Haarlemmerstraat, Amsterdam in 1971 and today, now a cycling and walking only route
Top shows a wide street filled with cars, driving in multiple lanes. People walk along narrow sidewalks, and a few cyclists ride cautiously among the traffic. Bottom: The same view today shows a cycle only route including a parent riding with a child in a cargo bike.
November 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Hackney Council in 2020: "Floating bus stops are an essential element of separating cycling from motor traffic on through routes, for comfort and safety"

Hackney Council in 2025: "Let's not bother building floating bus stops and propose dangerous designs instead"
Hackney Council text from 2020: Floating bus stops The concept of a floating bus stop has been developed in order to separate cyclists and pedestrians where larger numbers of users will be present. In a floating bus stop, a segregated cycle lane or track continues through the bus stop area behind the shelter, thereby creating an island for bus passengers boarding and alighting at the stop. It requires a crossing (informal zebra markings) for pedestrians to access the island across the cycle track. The concept is implemented across London and other cities where new cycle lanes are implemented. The advantage of these layouts is that buses do not have to overtake cycles between stops, and people cycling do not have to negotiate out around stopped buses. In other words, there is no conflict between bus and cycle traffic. Floating bus stops are an essential element of separating cycling from motor traffic on through routes, for comfort and safety.
November 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Theophile De Bockstraat, Amsterdam in 1979 and today. A quiet road these days but the cycleway provides a direct cycle route between two large busy parks, whilst also now closing some roads to through motor traffic, reducing local neighbourhood motor traffic levels
Top shows a quiet cobbled street lined with parked cars and traditional Dutch houses. The area looks sparse, with bare trees and little street life. Bottom: The same location today is full of greenery and activity. The street has been redesigned for people walking and cycling, with a smooth red bike path and no cars in sight. Cyclists and pedestrians share a calm, leafy environment with bike parking and trees on both sides.
November 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Hackney Cyclist
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Bos en lommerweg, Amsterdam in 1976 and today
Two rows of car parking in a service road alongside a main road completely replaced by a cycleway, cycle parking and greenery
October 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam in 1982 and today.
Once a car-dominated street with just a painted bike lane squeezed beside parked cars, it’s now completely transformed. No car parking, no through traffic - just trams and people cycling safely towards Centraal Station
Top photo: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam around 1982 — a wide street lined with parked cars, a taxi, and a tram. A narrow painted bike lane runs alongside moving traffic. Bottom photo: The same street today — no cars, trees along the sidewalk, and people cycling comfortably in a dedicated lane next to tram tracks. The atmosphere is calm, sunny, and pedestrian-friendly.
November 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM