--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My experience in Amsterdam is that…" description: "\"“My experience in Amsterdam is that cyclists ride where the hell they like and aim in a state of rage at all pedestrians while ringing their bell loudl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/terry-pratchett-19_europe_my-experience-in-amsterdam-is-that-cycli_920828.jpg" --- # My experience in Amsterdam is that cyclists ride where the… ![“My experience in Amsterdam is that cyclists ride where the hell they like and aim in a state of rage at all pedestrians while ringing their bell loudly, the concept of avoiding people being foreign to them. My dream holiday would be a) a ticket to Amsterdam b) immunity from prosecution and c) a…” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/terry-pratchett-19_europe_my-experience-in-amsterdam-is-that-cycli_920828.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/terry-pratchett-19_europe_my-experience-in-amsterdam-is-that-cycli_920828.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0d/terry-pratchett-19_europe_my-experience-in-amsterdam-is-that-cycli_920828.jpg) > ““My experience in Amsterdam is that cyclists ride where the hell they like and aim in a state of rage at all pedestrians while ringing their bell loudly, the concept of avoiding people being foreign to them. My dream holiday would be a) a ticket to Amsterdam b) immunity from prosecution and c) a baseball bat.”” [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote satirically critiques chaotic cycling culture in Amsterdam, portraying cyclists as reckless and hostile toward pedestrians, and humorously expressing a fantasy of impunity and violence. **In simple terms:** Cyclists in Amsterdam are portrayed as reckless and aggressive, and the speaker jokes about wanting to act without consequences. Key Takeaway Be aware of local customs and respect others on the road. Themes urban life humor culture clash traffic safety fantasy Mood irritated amused critical Type satirical observational cautionary When to use this quote - tourist in - city planning - public safety campaigns - personal travel experiences - law enforcement Key Concepts Satire social commentary urban dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does satire influence perceptions of real traffic issues? - What responsibilities do cyclists have in shared spaces? A Different Perspective The humor may downplay genuine safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amsterdam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amsterdam/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Foreign countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreign-countries/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Holidays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holidays/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) ## Related quotes > [My dream holiday would be a) a ticket to Amsterdam b) immunity from prosecution and c) a baseball bat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/my-dream-holiday-would-be-a-a-ticket-to-amsterdam-b-immunity-from/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [My experience in Amsterdam is that cyclists ride where the hell they like and aim in a state of rage at all pedestrians while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/my-experience-in-amsterdam-is-that-cyclists-ride-where-the-hell-they-2/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Between the whores' world and God's world, like a river dividing two empires, stretches an intense smell of urine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/between-the-whores-world-and-god-s-world-like-a-river-dividing-two/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Ireland is also quite nice. So is Amsterdam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/ireland-is-also-quite-nice-so-is-amsterdam/) [Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/) > [“Amsterdam: Where the pendulum swings from God to a guilder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-burton/amsterdam-where-the-pendulum-swings-from-god-to-a-guilder/) [Jessie Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-burton/) > [I'm scared of audiences. One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-m-scared-of-audiences-one-show-in-amsterdam-i-was-so-nervous-i/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/some-tourists-think-amsterdam-is-a-city-of-sin-but-in-truth-it-is-a/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I am a village boy, and Amsterdam for me was always the big town.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-corbijn/i-am-a-village-boy-and-amsterdam-for-me-was-always-the-big-town/) [Anton Corbijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-corbijn/) > [Curator Shantrelle P. Lewis left for Amsterdam an Andy Warhol fellow, and came back with a film in her pocket. Please support this confrontation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dream-hampton/curator-shantrelle-p-lewis-left-for-amsterdam-an-andy-warhol-fellow/) [dream hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dream-hampton/) > [Although I miss my family and friends when I'm away from Amsterdam, I've never had that feeling of missing a city like I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michiel-huisman/although-i-miss-my-family-and-friends-when-i-m-away-from-amsterdam-i/) [Michiel Huisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michiel-huisman/) > [I was born in Belgium and moved to Amsterdam when I was 17. I am not a Calvinist Dutchman but a Catholic Belgian. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-de-clercq/i-was-born-in-belgium-and-moved-to-amsterdam-when-i-was-17-i-am-not-a/) [Eddy de Clercq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-de-clercq/) > [“She said I should pick the hall and the date and whatever I want, because it really doesn’t matter to her. That isn’t the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/she-said-i-should-pick-the-hall-and-the-date-and-whatever-i-want/) [Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/) > [“There are skeletons in this earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-duyvis/there-are-skeletons-in-this-earth/) [Corinne Duyvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-duyvis/) > [In Europe, I always have fun bike riding in Amsterdam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-koenig/in-europe-i-always-have-fun-bike-riding-in-amsterdam/) [Ezra Koenig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-koenig/) > [I think that if you look at places like Amsterdam and places where pot is very legal they do well with it. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buffalo-mailer/i-think-that-if-you-look-at-places-like-amsterdam-and-places-where/) [John Buffalo Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buffalo-mailer/) ## More by Terry Pratchett > [“This one’s mental.’ ‘Eccentric.’ ‘What’s the difference?’ ‘A bag of cash.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/this-one-s-mental-eccentric-what-s-the-difference-a-bag-of-cash/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“But I did not return until half past four this morning and I distinctly remember stubbing my toe on the stairs. I am as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/but-i-did-not-return-until-half-past-four-this-morning-and-i/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Someone broke from the scrum and, punching and kicking, staggered towards the Klatchian goal. "Isn't that man your butler?" said Ahmed. "Yes." "One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/someone-broke-from-the-scrum-and-punching-and-kicking-staggered/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [It's an interesting fact that fewer than 17 % of Real cats end their lives with the same name they started with. Much family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/it-s-an-interesting-fact-that-fewer-than-17-of-real-cats-end-their/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [You can't trust folk songs. They always sneak up on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-can-t-trust-folk-songs-they-always-sneak-up-on-you/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Either dragons should exist completely or fail to exist at all, he felt. A dragon only half-existing was worse than the extremes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/either-dragons-should-exist-completely-or-fail-to-exist-at-all-he/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Magrat wondered what it was like, spending your whole life doing something you didn’t want to do. Like being dead, she considered, only worse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/magrat-wondered-what-it-was-like-spending-your-whole-life-doing/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [A hardback's harder at Christmas time because that's a good hardback buying time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/a-hardback-s-harder-at-christmas-time-because-that-s-a-good-hardback/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“There were more old people. The world was full of them,' said the wizard. 'Yes, I know. And now it's full of young people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/there-were-more-old-people-the-world-was-full-of-them-said-the-wizard/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Hobson was big and heavyset, but not exactly fat; he was probably what you’d get if you shaved a bear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/hobson-was-big-and-heavyset-but-not-exactly-fat-he-was-probably-what/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“There is a night that never comes to an end… The clock of the world turns under its own shadow. Midnight is a moving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/there-is-a-night-that-never-comes-to-an-end-the-clock-of-the-world/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“You'd like Freedom, Truth, and Justice, wouldn't you, Comrade Sergeant?' said Reg encouragingly. 'I'd like a hard-boiled egg,' said Vimes, shaking the match out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-d-like-freedom-truth-and-justice-wouldn-t-you-comrade-sergeant/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“You are not apprehensive, are you? I can't detect no trace of fear none whatsoever Roomy cranium all possible videos of all possible outcomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-are-not-apprehensive-are-you-i-can-t-detect-no-trace-of-fear-none/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Imagination, not intelligence, made us human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/imagination-not-intelligence-made-us-human/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) [Explore all 3,328 Terry Pratchett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## More Amsterdam quotes > [I think that if you look at places like Amsterdam and places where pot is very legal they do well with it. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buffalo-mailer/i-think-that-if-you-look-at-places-like-amsterdam-and-places-where/) [John Buffalo Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buffalo-mailer/) > [In Europe, I always have fun bike riding in Amsterdam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-koenig/in-europe-i-always-have-fun-bike-riding-in-amsterdam/) [Ezra Koenig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-koenig/) > [“There are skeletons in this earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-duyvis/there-are-skeletons-in-this-earth/) [Corinne Duyvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-duyvis/) > [“She said I should pick the hall and the date and whatever I want, because it really doesn’t matter to her. That isn’t the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/she-said-i-should-pick-the-hall-and-the-date-and-whatever-i-want/) [Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/) > [I was born in Belgium and moved to Amsterdam when I was 17. I am not a Calvinist Dutchman but a Catholic Belgian. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-de-clercq/i-was-born-in-belgium-and-moved-to-amsterdam-when-i-was-17-i-am-not-a/) [Eddy de Clercq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-de-clercq/) > [Although I miss my family and friends when I'm away from Amsterdam, I've never had that feeling of missing a city like I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michiel-huisman/although-i-miss-my-family-and-friends-when-i-m-away-from-amsterdam-i/) [Michiel Huisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michiel-huisman/) > [Curator Shantrelle P. Lewis left for Amsterdam an Andy Warhol fellow, and came back with a film in her pocket. Please support this confrontation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dream-hampton/curator-shantrelle-p-lewis-left-for-amsterdam-an-andy-warhol-fellow/) [dream hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dream-hampton/) > [I am a village boy, and Amsterdam for me was always the big town.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-corbijn/i-am-a-village-boy-and-amsterdam-for-me-was-always-the-big-town/) [Anton Corbijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-corbijn/) > [Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/some-tourists-think-amsterdam-is-a-city-of-sin-but-in-truth-it-is-a/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I'm scared of audiences. One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-m-scared-of-audiences-one-show-in-amsterdam-i-was-so-nervous-i/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [“Amsterdam: Where the pendulum swings from God to a guilder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-burton/amsterdam-where-the-pendulum-swings-from-god-to-a-guilder/) [Jessie Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-burton/) > [Ireland is also quite nice. So is Amsterdam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/ireland-is-also-quite-nice-so-is-amsterdam/) [Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/) > [“Between the whores' world and God's world, like a river dividing two empires, stretches an intense smell of urine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/between-the-whores-world-and-god-s-world-like-a-river-dividing-two/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“What do you say to those heading to Amsterdam? “Have a smooth ride.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nkwachukwu-ogbuagu/what-do-you-say-to-those-heading-to-amsterdam-have-a-smooth-ride/) [Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nkwachukwu-ogbuagu/) > [I was in George Martin's studio in Amsterdam and he was telling me, 'They come in here and it takes them three days to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ringo-starr/i-was-in-george-martin-s-studio-in-amsterdam-and-he-was-telling-me/) [Ringo Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ringo-starr/) [Browse all 142 Amsterdam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amsterdam/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“My experience in Amsterdam is that cyclists ride where the hell they like and aim in a state of rage at all pedestrians while ringing their bell loudly, the concept of avoiding people being foreign to them. 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