Does Amsterdam municilality hate car drivers?

Amsterdam continues to be a popular residential choice for our expats clients. As such, we consistently keep an eye on developments within the city. City officials have long been advocating for a shift from cars to bicycles. However, could some of their measures be excessively radical?

Observing recent events, a few of our clients have started reevaluating their plans to rent or purchase property in Amsterdam. We in Expat Gate will continue to monitor the situation.

Introduction to Traffic Changes

The municipality announced plans  to close through traffic in several places in the city, to ensure that the city does not become clogged with cars and that public transport becomes better and faster. Those closures will ensure that, for example, you can no longer drive over a bridge of the Amstel by car if you want to go from South to East, you will have to do so via the A10. According to traffic alderman Melanie van der Horst, the advantage is that there will be more space for cyclists and public transport. But what does that mean for, for example, the emergency services and supplying the shops?

Entrepreneurs Struggle to Adapt

"We're not against a more car-free city, but we need time to adjust," said Guido Frankfurther, spokesperson for Accessibility for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Amsterdam (SME). "First came the Weesperstraat cut, and now there are 14 Weesperstratens. That's a lot of important main routes closed. People still need to shop, and you can't transport goods to the market by tram." SME hopes the municipality will consult with the interest group for city entrepreneurs. "It's better to take small steps, allowing for a smoother transition and giving businesses time to adapt," Frankfurther suggested.

Balancing Costs and Benefits

Amsterdam traffic expert Walther Ploos van Amstel called the plans surprising. "Car use in the city is still growing, so action must be taken. We all want an attractive city," he said, but also expressed reservations. "It seems the plans haven't been fully developed." He pointed out that traffic will still need to move: "The city needs supplies, taxis may have more work, and people who rely on transportation must be accommodated."