EVERYONE IS SUPPORTING THE BIKE, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS

an impression of the election debate of the Fietsersbond Rotterdam

author Leon Erkelens, chairman of the Fietsersbond Rotterdam

On Monday evening, February 21, 2022, the election debate was organized by the Fietsersbond Rotterdam. Leon Erkelens, chairman of the Fietsersbond kicked off with an ode to cycling (healthy, quiet, emission-free, compact) and a few examples of how things are getting better for cyclists in Rotterdam.

Eleven Rotterdam parties were present to debate 5 propositions with each other. In the first position, Sam Mak (CDA) stood between Bart van Drunen (Leefbaar) and Ingrid van Wifferen (D66) and he made CDA visible as the middle party. D66 really wants to make far-reaching space in the city for bicycles and greenery at the expense of space for the car, where Leefbaar wants to arrange things well for all modes of transport. So also smooth traffic in front of the car. And this marked an important difference in vision of traffic and city.

Is there room for all modes of traffic or is a reduction in car use necessary to make the city pleasant? Stephan van Leeuwis (GroenLinks) is clear about this: space is scarce and we must let go of the way in which the flow of car traffic in Rotterdam has so far been dominant in the design of the city, in order to create a healthier, safer and more pleasant city. Jet Valk (50Plus) would also like to see more space for bicycles to create the possibility of separating slow cyclists (children and the elderly) and fast cyclists (electric bicycles and speed pedelecs). 

Simon Bleijenberg (Volt) indicates that in Rotterdam the share of cyclists in traffic is low compared to other cities. So basically still a chance to grow. "And if you want to get through the city quickly", says Dennis Tak (PvdA), "it's better to take a bike even now in Rotterdam. And also for health it is better to take a bicycle". Floor van Dongen (SP) indicates that this is certainly the case and that it is important to encourage bicycle use and to make affordable bicycles accessible to everyone. The suggestion by Jaap Rozema (PvdD) to look at WMO funds for bicycle incentives is widely acclaimed.

In Rotterdam, however, many people still us a two-stroke engined moped or - scooter instead of a bicycle. And that is precisely a point of irritation for the Fietsersbond, and a cause of asthma. Jaap Rozema (PvdD) picks up on this health issue and wants to ban the very dirty two-stroke engine and bring back the environmental zone. Gerben van Dijk (CU) draws attention to the dangerous, fast delivery people (whatever means of transport). An unhealthy bag of chips has shorter arrival times than the emergency services! Should not the focus be there?

How do we get a cycling culture? According to Simon Becker (VVD), Rotterdam already has a good cycling culture, but there are two areas for improvement: safety and better bicycle sheds. Jaap Rozema (PvdD) responds that the bicycle should really be taken as the starting point and not the current step-by-step improvements. Ingrid van Wifferen (D66) does not think the bicycle culture is good at all, also because in the city council 21 of the 45 seats give ample room for the car and therefore an obstacle for improvement. In the opinion of Sam Mak (CDA) this is too polarizing and Rotterdammers are also motorists and we should enter into a dialogue with each other. Simon Becker (VVD) agrees and does not want to go along with the black and white contradictions and says that they also want to make room for the bicycle by making more one-way roads. Gerben van Dijk (CU) indicates that the conflict of interests cannot be resolved easily and that it is in fact the case that cyclists (and pedestrians) take up less space. When the number of cyclists increases, the car has to take a step back. And with that he does not express the position of the parties that want to continue to give the car a lot of space: VVD, Leefbaar and CDA.

As said: everyone is supporting the bike, some more than others.