In this episode of Expedition Noord-Holland, our presenter Koen Bugter takes on the car in an exciting race on his bike. How can you get from A to B faster at a short distance? Sporty with the electric bike or with the convenience of the car?
The race between the electric bicycle and the car goes from Heerhugowaard to Alkmaar. “We adhere to the traffic rules and I am up against producer Arjen de Bruijn, also known as the Max Verstappen of the broadcaster. Pay attention to school-age children and who is the first to reach the Mayor of Wendelaarlaan in Alkmaar? 3, 2, 1 , go!”
Cycle routes
In the meantime, Koen can continue cycling thanks to cycle routes. The Province is investing in such routes. Jan-Albert de Leur is a policy advisor. “You can cycle through cycling routes safely and pleasantly. You don’t have to stop at intersecting traffic or at traffic lights. Normally people are waiting at a traffic light and that is not necessary here,” says De Leur.
Why does the Province consider it important that we use the bicycle more often? “It is very healthy and fun to cycle,” says De Leur. “A lot of houses are being added in our province and if those people all start moving by car, it will come to a complete standstill.”
Cover Arjen
Meanwhile, the race between the car and the electric bicycle is an exciting battle. At the Molenweg, Koen on his bicycle and Arjen in the car are riding close to each other. With the busy center ahead, the battle is not yet lost. Koen is standing in front of a closed bridge and “it looks bad to me,” says Koen, but Arjen finds it difficult to find a place at the parking garage. “That way I lose valuable time,” said Arjen in the car. Koen meanwhile cycles: “Lovely through the center. That damn Arjen won’t be faster, will it?”
Glorious victory
Ultimately, Koen is on the electric bicycle before Arjen is at the Mayor of the Wendelaar Lantern in Alkmaar. “What a glorious victory!” Arjen is sporty, but still arrives at the end point five minutes later. “That parking garage was completely full.” Presenter Koen Bugter concludes: “We have proven once and for all that the bicycle does not have to be slower than the car.”