Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Amsterdam

How Children Demanding Play Streets Changed Amsterdam

The above video, excerpted from a Dutch television documentary series, shows how children helped catalyze the fight for safe streets in Amsterdam more than a generation ago.

The documentary examines the conditions in a dense urban neighborhood called De Pijp, from the perspective of local children. In the film, neighborhood kids energetically advocate for a play street, free of cars.

Bicycle Dutch recently shortened the episode and added English subtitles. The documentary originally aired in 1972. That very same year, several play streets were installed in the city. In the 1970s, traffic fatality rates in the Netherlands were 20 percent higher than in the United States, but thanks to grassroots efforts like the play street campaign in De Pijp and the "Stop de Kindermoord" movement ("Kindermoord" translates to "child murder"), the Dutch changed their approach to street design. Today the traffic fatality rate in the Netherlands is 60 percent lower than in the U.S. -- 22,000 fewer Americans would die each year if we had kept pace with the Dutch.

Here's a look at one of those play streets in De Pijp today -- a stark contrast from the streets pictured in the video:

Source: ##http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2013/12/12/amsterdam-children-fighting-cars-in-1972/## Bicycle Dutch##
Source: ##http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2013/12/12/amsterdam-children-fighting-cars-in-1972/##Bicycle Dutch##
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Progressives’ Turn Council’s Transportation Policy Over to Republicans

Roadway safety is simply not a priority, a Streetsblog analysis reveals.

January 21, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Drill, Baby, Drill Edition

There were a few references to some cherished livable streets issues in the 47th president's inaugural speech.

January 21, 2025

The Stakes Are High For Congestion Pricing Mitigation In The Bronx

South Bronx residents already choked by auto pollution aren't taking the MTA's promised congestion pricing mitigations as a given.

January 21, 2025

Monday’s MLK Day Headlines

We are taking today off to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and watch a congestion pricing foe become president.

January 20, 2025

New DOT Report Questions Daylighting As Council Bill Gains Steam

Is DOT saying cars blocking your view is safe?

January 18, 2025
See all posts