China's future is on BICYCLES. They realized cars were too big, created gigantic congestion, polluted the air, etc. CHANGE! 10+ yrs creating SAFE BICYCLE infra. Everywhere. Connectivity. Chris Bruntlett, Int. Relations Dutch Cycling Embassy has been showing transformation. Below, Beijing. Thanks!

Tianjin's dockless bike-sharing scheme includes bicycles equipped with a child seat, turning the daily school run or grocery trip into a journey made together. It's a family-friendly feature that recognises a fundamental reality: mobility systems should work for caregivers and not just breadwinners.

In 2015, Tianjin launched the Urban Transport Improvement Project—the largest active mobility investment ever supported by the World Bank. Instead of focusing solely on roads or transit, it sought to create an integrated system where walking, cycling, buses and metro would work seamlessly together.🧵

Over the past decade, Beijing has experienced one of the most remarkable cycling renaissances in the world, powered by an innovation that has quietly transformed everyday mobility: dockless bike-sharing. Millions of residents suddenly rediscovered the joy of the bicycle, without needing to own one.🧵

Opened in March 2026, the multi-storey bicycle parking facility at Shahe Metro Station is the first of its kind in China. Located in Beijing’s Changping District, with a daily passenger flow of 95,000, the Dutch-inspired design provides a seamless connection to public transport for 8,000 (e-)bikes.🧵

If there are Seven Wonders of the Cycling World, Beijing's Shangdi–Huilongguan Highway deserves a place on the list. The 5.4 km elevated expressway is designed so riders can cycle its entire length without stopping; cutting their commute to 30 minutes—halving the rush hour travel time by car/metro.

Opened this year and located in Beijing’s Changping District, China’s first multi-storey bike parking facility serves one of the capital’s busiest stations, with 95,000 passengers per day. The Utrecht-inspired designed accommodates up to 8,000 bikes, e-bikes and shared bikes. READ: buff.ly/3XOl6sd

After discovering @bicycledutch.bsky.social, a Tsinghua University professor advocated for the fietsstraat: where cyclists are the main users and cars are guests. Today, that idea has spread across Beijing: Hundreds of kilometres of bike-priority streets now form the backbone of the city’s network.

Beijing’s bicycle comeback might be one of the world's most significant urban cycling revivals. After decades of decline, its mode share has climbed back to almost 30%, supported by over 3,200 kilometres of infrastructure, extensive bike-sharing systems, and an ambitious program of street redesign.🧵

Last week in Beijing was, without a doubt, a career highlight for Chris. @dutchcycling.nl proudly supported a workshop with The World Bank and 40+ professionals from across China: officials, planners, engineers, academics, and experts representing cities with a combined population of 140 million.

10,000 fewer on-street car parking spaces. That's the pledge from Amsterdam's new coalition government over the next four years. While many cities still argue whether change is possible, Amsterdam is reclaiming its public realm one tree, bench, bike rack, terrace, playground, and garden at a time.

"Gentle advocacy believes lasting change is more likely to emerge from inspiration than indignation. People are more willing to embrace a new future when they clearly see themselves in it. And showing what's possible is more effective than endlessly cataloguing what's wrong." READ: bit.ly/4wkWIuf

Last week in Beijing, the DCE was proud to support the World Bank’s workshop, ‘Advancing Active Mobility for Livable and Productive Chinese Cities’. It gathered officials, planners, engineers, academics, and professionals from cities with a combined population of 140-million people: buff.ly/IgLkT1E

“A simple measure of how well a place works is whether children can move about safely, play freely, and encounter nature close to home. Design a place where a child can walk, explore and spend time outdoors, and you tend to end up with a place that works better for everyone.” @eyebooks.bsky.social

Over the past few months, we’ve been carefully assembling a photo book for our eldest as she begins a new chapter overseas. Looking through those 554 photos, we realise by raising her on two wheels, we were able to give her the independence, autonomy and confidence to find her own way in the world.

A new report captures the breadth of Dutch-inspired global projects and partnerships that made it possible. From Latin to North America, Europe to Asia, it tells the story of how Dutch knowledge has been adapted, translated, and applied in contexts around the world. dutchcycling.nl/knowledge/do...

Thanks to the @34ave.bsky.social #openstreet we have a community that is... -Safer -Greener -Happier -More friendly -Has more space for schools -Healthier -Quieter -Sustainable -Open to diversity & so much more! @nyc.streetsblog.org @openplans.org @thewaroncars.bsky.social @modacitylife.com

Donald Appleyard's Research Explains the Strong Community Bonds on 34th Ave Open Street (segment)

YouTube video by Streetfilms®

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How does empathetic leadership and accessible communications create vibrant cities? Join us in Tallinn in September to find out! 📍 "Women Changing Cities" Book event fienta.com/melissa-chri... 📍 Professional Workshop: Shifting to Urban Vitality fienta.com/melissa-chri... More details by the links

In 2022, Rotterdam passed a visionary plan with an ambitious goal: create 20 hectares of new green space throughout the city by 2026. From street-side gardens to nature-based playgrounds, thousands of top-down and bottom-up projects of varying sizes have been realised within six organising tracks.🧵

Despite complaints about the cost, delays, or overcrowding, it’s undeniable that train travel in the Netherlands is key to creating a more accessible transportation choice for people throughout the country.

'De beste fietsstad ter wereld word je niet toevallig. Het is het resultaat van visie en investeringen.’ (Melissa & Chris Bruntlett, @modacitylife.com) De #Catharijnebrug in #Utrecht, gefotografeerd in 1968 en door mij, juli 2026. #stadsmens @zowasutrecht.bsky.social

Montréal has been laying the foundations of a cycling network for decades that has become one of the best examples on the continent. That's why we're excited to be returning for a book launch event hosted by our friends at @velo.qc.ca. Register here (space limited): www.velo.qc.ca/en/event/con...

One of the most pernicious myths about Dutch cities is they have always been designed for people, and are somehow finished with that process. In reality, places like Den Bosch spent decades accommodating growing volumes of motor traffic, often at the expense of public space, safety and liveability.🧵

Last night, our eldest graduated from Rotterdam Theatreschool, rolling up to the ceremony on the back of dad's bike. After everything we've experienced together, it was the most fittingly Dutch way to celebrate the end of one chapter and beginning of the next, as she moves to England for two years.

The world's best cycling cities aren't born. They're built. The Dutch approach isn't about culture or coincidence. It's about making choices that prioritize people over cars, and creating places where bikes become the safest, easiest, and most attractive option for everyone. WATCH: buff.ly/fAoV8lN

“Self-driving technology has the same discriminatory attitude toward non-automobile modes that need permission and beg for more space against a car-only street mentality. A mass consumer culture of self-driving would be just a replica of the same auto-oriented and dominated world we live in today."

“Many car owners assume they're fused to their machine, and don't need to walk anywhere. But even extreme users complete 20% of their trips by walking. This has profound implications. Even if a city claims to be vehicle-oriented, they still need to dedicate 20% of their mobility budget to walking."

Utrecht becoming the world’s best cycling city isn’t an accident of geography or nationality. It’s a product of vision and investment. Therefore the blueprint isn’t just Dutch. It can be applied anywhere. Culture doesn't create infrastructure. Infrastructure creates culture. youtu.be/MHFUBzE_EjQ

If the price of "Women Changing Cities" by Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com makes you hesitate, you're not getting a standard book. Over 60% of the pages have a color photo, giving a sense of the vibrant life created by leaders who made progress for human-friendlier cities. urbanism

Because two members of our family were overseas on Father’s Day, we never found the moment to celebrate it together. Today, the kids gave Dad a gift they knew he would cherish: a ride through Rotterdam aboard the historic Number 10 tram. A belated Father’s Day, but all the more memorable for it. 🚋