From Charlotte to the Netherlands: A Personal Reflection on Cycling Infrastructure

A guest blog post by John Snelsire from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

From the moment I arrived in the Netherlands, I was greeted with a calmness and peace I didn’t realize I needed. This feeling resonated throughout my five-day experience and left me wanting more. Everywhere I went, I noticed how intentionally the Dutch design around the human scale. The meticulous attention to detail and the engineering required to pull it off are truly astounding.

My name is John Snelsire, and I am from Charlotte, North Carolina, in the United States. I have a degree in Geography and Urban Planning from UNC Charlotte, though my professional career primarily wound through the financial services sector. After retiring last summer, I wanted to reconnect with my Geography and Urban Planning roots through the Geography of Cities class at UNC Charlotte. This class required a comprehensive research paper, and I chose to write about cycling infrastructure.

My passion for cycling reignited during the pandemic, and I now ride approximately 2,000 –3,000 kilometers per year.
My Dutch cycling experience began in Amsterdam. After arriving at Amsterdam Central Station, I immediately went to the Stationsplein Bicycle Parking facility. It was amazing to see such a large and carefully designed bike parking area while watching a constant stream of people move in and out of the station. I was awestruck by the engineering required to build this facility, but even more by how normal it seemed in daily life.

That became a recurring theme throughout my visit. The cycling infrastructure was impressive, yet it did not feel like a special feature. It felt like part of the everyday rhythm of the city.

To say that I felt like a kid on Christmas morning would be an understatement. I experienced pure joy riding the protected bike network. Often, I had no set itinerary. I would simply ride for several kilometers to find a place for lunch.

On one casual ride, I suddenly found myself pedaling through the iconic Rijksmuseum bicycle passage, admiring the museum’s architecture before exiting directly into a large park. On another adventure, I rode a single-speed bike through the countryside to Monnickendam for lunch. From there, I went to Marken and enjoyed seeing the sun sparkle off the water while I rode. When my smartphone navigation suggested a repetitive return path, I put it away and intuitively navigated a different route back to the ferry at Central Station.

My journey continued to Utrecht for a meeting with Skadi Tirpak, Director of the Dutch Cycling Embassy. Skadi provided invaluable perspectives for my research paper, sharing insights into how the Dutch Cycling Embassy works with cities and partners around the world to exchange expertise and support cycling infrastructure projects.

The experience deeply inspired me to walk and cycle for errands much more now that I am back in Charlotte. My meeting in Utrecht felt especially relevant considering the ThinkBike Workshop held in Charlotte in May 2025, which focused on Central Avenue and South Boulevard. Although I did not take part in the workshop myself, my visit to the Netherlands gave me a clearer sense of what safe and connected cycling infrastructure can mean in everyday life.

Following our meeting, it was time for another bike adventure. I rode to Houten and arrived as school was letting out. It was beautiful to see students of all ages riding home in groups or individually, completely free of parental supervision.
As an urban planning enthusiast, I concluded my trip by visiting the Dafne Schippersbrug project in Utrecht. This project exemplifies the highest standards of integrated urban planning. It is amazing how the bridge, school, and bike path seamlessly merge to connect two sections of Utrecht. I felt so much satisfaction seeing that project, and I had a huge smile on my face riding back to Utrecht Central Station.

The Netherlands provided the most seamless cycling and transportation experience I have ever witnessed. Extensive care is taken to design an environment where people can experience daily life in a healthy and enjoyable manner. The cohesive mobility network of trains, trams, ferries, bike paths, and walking paths proves how easy and fulfilling life can be without a car.

In fact, the infrastructure left such an impression on me that I cancelled an upcoming two-week cycling vacation in two American cities. Instead, I am returning to the Netherlands for the EuroVelo Conference, with five additional days for cycling exploration. The comprehensive transportation network and human-centered design made this decision effortless.

See you this fall.