Newcastle's Potential as Australia's Amsterdam: A Look at Cycling Culture in Both Cities

When the whole world stopped amid a pandemic lockdown a few years ago, I decided to part ways with Sydney. After eight years of living in a western suburb of Sydney and calling it my home, it never crossed my mind that one day I would sell my one-bedroom apartment unit, pack all of my belongings, and relocate to Newcastle, a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia with a population of 322,278.

Newcastle, with its beautiful coastlines, is a truly charming city. In Sydney, you must live within coastal suburbs to easily access iconic beaches like Bondi and Manly. Sydney's western suburbs, despite being more affordable, have historically had less access to beaches and harbours than other areas of the city. This has resulted in a divide between the predominantly white, established settlements in the east and the migrant suburbs in the west. However, unlike Sydney, no matter which suburb you reside in, Newcastle's stunning beaches are just a short drive from home. For instance, Nobby's and Newcastle Beach are only a ten-minute drive or twenty-minute bike ride from my house in Hamilton North.

Undeniably, Newcastle cannot compare itself to Sydney in terms of its diverse suburbs and bustling international city vibes. Sydney has a welcoming, vibrant, and multicultural atmosphere. On the other hand, Newcastle has recently started promoting itself as a welcoming destination 'for all'. 'Racism-not-welcome' street signs were newly erected in many city spots in 2021, such as Newcastle Interchange.

Newcastle has always been a supplementary tourism destination for Sydney. Leave alone a slow, three-hour train trip from Sydney to Newcastle — if you're lucky, there are no diverted routes due to frequent track works or other rail issues. You couldn't wait to get off the train at the newly built Newcastle interchange.

You know you are in Newcastle CBD (Central Business District) immediately when you leave the station. The vibe is quiet and slow. Though the CBD revitalisation is slowly taking shape, the city seems reluctant to welcome visitors. Local businesses, such as cafes and restaurants, need a little training in tourism spirit. But Novocastrians are generally friendly, not because they are obliged to welcome tourists and travellers. They're friendly because of what they are: born and raised in a laid-back coastal town with a twist of industrial history. However, the Novocastrians' friendliness can sometimes be found to be 'selective'.

Due to Newcastle's flat geographical characteristics, cycling is its strength as a tourism destination. This makes Newcastle unique and distinct from Sydney. With 16 per cent of locals riding their bikes at least once a week, Newcastle council ramps up to build more cycleways infrastructure. The traffic is relatively good. It's an excellent city for cycling.

The Fernleigh cycleway is a must-visit location for cycling enthusiasts. This 15 km route stretches from Adamstown to Lake Macquarie, offering a beautiful and scenic journey through lush greenery and picturesque landscapes.

Tall trees surround the cycleway, and there are plenty of rest areas and picnic spots to take a break along the way. The path is well-maintained and suitable for all skill levels, making it an easy and enjoyable ride. The trail is relatively flat, with only a few gentle inclines, which makes it a perfect ride for families with young children.

The cycleway also offers an excellent opportunity to explore the history and culture of the region, with several landmarks and historical sites, such as the Fernleigh tunnel, former stations, and heritage railway relics along the way. The Fernleigh cycleway is an ideal weekend cycling for a day exploring Newcastle's natural beauty and history.

Newcastle has the potential to become Australia's Amsterdam, a bike-friendly city. Though the two places don't have any similar characteristics, from the population to geography, Newcastle can learn from Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is renowned for its vibrant and diverse culture, rich history, and picturesque architecture. The city boasts various museums, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants, making it an exciting and dynamic place to live. However, like any big city, Amsterdam can be crowded and busy, especially during peak tourist season. The cost of living in Amsterdam is relatively high, but many people feel the city's unique atmosphere and quality of life make it worth it.

One of the city's most notable features is its cycling culture. When you visit Amsterdam, the one thing that makes the city unique is people's love of cycling. Cycling is, in fact, the city's identity. You go to work by cycling. You cycle to shop for your groceries. At a population of around 872,680, cycling is a part of Amsterdam's everyday life.

The city is designed to accommodate cyclists, and it's common to see people commuting to work and running errands on their bikes. Amsterdam is also very walkable; many residents explore it on foot. Amsterdam is considered one of the safest cities in the world for cycling. The city's cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes, traffic signals, and roundabouts, makes it easy and secure for cyclists to navigate the city.

As of 2021, Amsterdam has over 500 kilometres of bike lanes, with plans to expand this network even further. There are over 300,000 bike parking spaces throughout the city, with many located at train stations, shopping areas, and other popular destinations. The city also has several multi-level bike parking garages, such as the one at Amsterdam Central Station, which can hold thousands of bikes simultaneously.

Firstly, the city is flat and compact, making it easy and convenient for people to cycle to their destinations. Secondly, the city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, such as bike lanes and parking spaces. Thirdly, Dutch culture places a high value on cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation.

Dutch culture places a high value on cycling, and drivers generally respect cyclists on the road. That being said, it's always important to exercise caution and follow the rules of the road when cycling in any city. Finally, the city has implemented policies to discourage car use and promote cycling as a primary mode of transportation.

The Netherlands' policies that discourage car use and promote cycling as a mode of transportation include bike-friendly infrastructure, such as dedicated bike lanes and parking facilities, and traffic-calming measures prioritising pedestrians and cyclists over cars. Additionally, the country imposes high taxes on car ownership and use while investing heavily in public transportation and promoting cycling through education and awareness campaigns. These policies have contributed to the Netherlands' reputation as one of the most bike-friendly countries in the world.

As mentioned earlier, those factors have contributed to Amsterdam's status as a world-renowned cycling city. But what can Newcastle in Australia learn from Amsterdam as a city for cycling?

The significance of the population difference between Newcastle in Australia and Amsterdam for their respective cycling cultures is quite significant. But for sure, Amsterdam is known to be a cycling-friendly city with a well-developed cycling infrastructure, primarily due to the high demand for cycling due to the dense population and limited car space. Newcastle, however, is still in favour of the car culture.

Newcastle has a much smaller population than Amsterdam and a less developed cycling culture. However, the city has been making efforts to improve its cycling infrastructure and promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.

Amsterdam is known for its extensive cycling infrastructure, making it a bike-friendly city. Newcastle can take inspiration from Amsterdam's cycling infrastructure and improve it to encourage more people to cycle.

It can be achieved by building more bike lanes and paths, providing secure bike parking facilities, promoting cycling as a viable mode of transportation, and implementing traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds. The city can encourage bike-friendly infrastructure in new developments, create bike-sharing programs, and hold events that promote cycling. These efforts can help make Newcastle a safer and more accessible place for cyclists and encourage more people to choose bikes as their preferred mode of transportation.

Newcastle is a beautiful coastal town that offers a unique experience to visitors. The city has a rich history, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for tourists seeking a break from busy city life. Cycling is one of the city's strengths and offers an excellent opportunity to explore the region's history and culture.

While Amsterdam may be a world apart, Newcastle can learn from its cycling culture and infrastructure to become Australia's bike-friendly city. With suitable investments and efforts, Newcastle can become a leading destination for cyclists and tourists seeking an enjoyable and safe experience.