Little bit of the Netherlands in Boston

If you want to experience a little bit of Netherlands-style non-motorized movement, visit the Arnold Arboretum on a nice weekend. Today there were a mix of bikes, walkers, joggers, strollers, scooters, trikes, and rollerbladers, and a few quadrapeds. The scene is a bit different than the Esplenade; the wider lane allows more relaxed, less directed, movement. Bikers, pedestrians, push scooters and others for the most part seemed to be OK with slight ambiguity over who goes where when coming into proximity (there are no lane markings). Things get figured out. Increased foot traffic provides a natural traffic calming; when pedestrian density gets large enough, bikers usually dismount and walk bikes because it just doesn't make sense to bike.