Color challenge #2 - Blue friday / Bicycle on the Amsterdam canals
Some of you might wonder, why is this bike fully colored in one bright color? Surely they don't sell them like this? That's correct, they don't.
I took this photo in broad daylight so my shutterspeed was very high, iso at 100 and my aperture at f/1.8 to get that silky soft background to make the bike really stand out
Anyone who visits Amsterdam instantly notices the crazy amount of colored or beat up bikes. In total there are more bicycles than people here in Amsterdam, roughly about 900.000. Official numbers say about 10.000 of those get stolen every year, but everyone here knows that number is far too low. In fact, it's so normal to have your bike stolen here that most people don't even go to the police or bother buying a new one from the store. Most people (mostly students) just buy a stolen bike from a junkie. It's as easy as going to a store. Take 25 bucks with you, go to the city centre at night and you will find junkies walking around asking if anyone wants to buy a bike from them. There are even bicylcle hotlines you can call and someone will personally deliver a freshly stolen bike on order. Personally I don't like this, because this only keeps the negative cycle alive where people only buy stolen bikes which get stolen a week or a month later. Most people just don't care though.
The reason people spraypaint their bike in such an uncommon and hideous way is to reduce the odds of it getting stolen, and it works! This always makes for a lot of colorful canal scenery!
What do you think of this negative cycle of buying stolen bikes from junkies who steal bikes to supply people who just got their own bike stolen?
Amazing picture!
Its an awesome shot the bike really pops, I remember seeing all the bikes there it really gives character, but had no idea of the number of thefts and buying bikes from junkies very interesting
Thank you. It might indeed not be a thing on people's mind when they visit Amsterdam, especially those who go about the city on rented bikes. To them it's just a fun way to explore the city. To us, bikes are a necessity and a commodity at the same time.
Yes that's true and thanks its always good to learn something new each day I say
Good! Thats why I wanted to include some knowledge instead of just putting up this photo ;)
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That is a really blue bike! Fascinating story behind why it is done.
It is very sad that there is the cycle of just buying a stolen bike - especially after yours gets stolen! It just feeds into the crime! But I get it...why buy a new bike only to have it stolen? That's so tough!
Thanks for your comment! Indeed I get why people would want to buy a cheap bike instead of a new one...they are really expensive here too so its just a waste of money to buy a new one from the store...
Really nice photo! Yes it creates a lovely scenery. But I agree with you, by buying stolen bikes when your bike gets stolen it just causes the negative cycle to continue and encourages people to steal bikes. Great post, thanks for sharing this, I had no idea this was happening in Amsterdam.
Thank you for the comment :) Yes its true, the police are too understaffed in the Netherlands to battle this problem...it doesnt have a priority here. Understandable, but sad.
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It is a really interesting fact, I've been to Amsterdam and I don't remember seeing the bicycle with striking color like this, probably I wasn't observative enough. I always thought Netherlands don't have junkies which sell stolen stuff like this, now I know there's another side of it.
This photo is really good, subject really clear and I love the canal color in the background.
Oh sure there are lots of junkies. Just like most countries we have lots of crime, but that doesnt make us feel unsafe or something...its not that bad. The difference is we have lots of social help so there are not a lot of beggars or homeless on the streets. There is poverty and crime, just not very visible.
Yea, it works the same way in all other countries.
The story behind this shot captured me more than the image. I found it intriguing. Although, I obviously clicked on it because I love brightly colored bicycles.
Thats great to hear! Usually it's an image supporting the story, but I dont mind if its the other way around sometimes.
Maybe I'll do a post soon with more of these!