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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
Narrowing the road makes crossing easier and safer, creates space for protected cycle tracks for people of all ages to safely cycle on, along with space for outdoor dining and bike parking
Dining on the footway Woman in a cargo bike, with child, with bike parking behind Bike parking and dining on the enlarged footway
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat, Amsterdam in 1983 and today
A narrow street with car parking on one side in 1983, today no car parking but outdoor dining on both sides of the street
November 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
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
Haarlemmerstraat, Amsterdam in 1981 and today
In 1981 there are cars parked on the street, today there is no car parking on this busy cycle only street
October 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Valeriusplein, Amsterdam in 1971 and today. Cars can no longer drive underneath this school, however it is now a very busy cycle route
In 1971 we can see cars driving through arches in a school building. Today there are cycle lanes running through the arches, with a cycle crossing to it being used by children
October 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Runstraat, Amsterdam in 1993 and today. Seems almost impossible there used to be car parking when you're walking down these busy, narrow streets!
The same street in 1993 and today, there is car parking down one side of the street in 1993, today a typical narrow Amsterdam street with no car parking on it. Children cycle on the road
October 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Prins Hendrikkade, Amsterdam in 1987 and today. Since all motor traffic has since been removed outside the railway station there is now no longer any need for so many traffic lanes. Now reduced to one single lane, in one direction, with space for a wide cycle track and footways on both sides
In 1987 there are several lanes for motor traffic, with a painted cycle lane in between. Today it is a wide pedestrian area, with a single lane for motor traffic in the distance. A wide bidirectional cycle track is beyond that
October 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Albert Cuypstraat, Amsterdam in 1982 and today. Cars are no longer allowed to drive along here, it's now bikes and trams only.
1982 shows cars parked on both sides of the road with cycles in the door zone between parked cars and cars driving on the tramline. Today there are no cars, just a tramway and cycle lanes either side, with cycle parking alongside
October 26, 2025 at 5:31 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Niewumarkt, Amsterdam in 1980 and today
in 1980 cars are parked on both sides of the road on the footway with beer crates also stacked up in the foreground. Today the area is dominated by outdoor dining
October 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
hackneycyclist.bsky.social
Prins Hendrikkade / Nieuwebrugsteeg, Amsterdam in 1980 and today
A main road with a side road meeting it. In 1982 the main road has a cyce track in one direction, which turns to paint at the side road, with the footway also giving up at the side road. There is a van partially parked in the cycle lane. Today there is a wide, uninterrupted bidirectional cycleway, with continuous footway as well. A father and his son cycle on it
October 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM