Radical City inc. bike tours

routes to a new urban landscape

The Radical City inc. bicycle tours introduce places and works in the city of Amsterdam that resonate with the formation of a nature-inclusive and climate-proof city. The tour passes places of significance in the fields of architecture, urban planning, art and design. The tours can be followed independently using (online) routes and with supporting information about the destination locations. This requires a smartphone.

The full program of the bicycle routes of Amsterdam-North, West, South and East are now available via Google maps in the links below the articles (scroll down). For more information please contact Pauline Duijndam: pauline@transnatural.org

Radical City inc.

Bike tour Amsterdam-Noord

The bike route of Noord guides you along different forms of sustainable, nature-inclusive and climate-proof housing and building. Central to this are circularity and the connection with the environment, nature and seasons. For example, Palais Récup is built from only reused materials and the residents of the KasHuis regulate their own indoor climate and energy consumption. 

The efforts of citizens, designers and social entrepreneurs become visible in the route through collective green initiatives such as the circular floating residential district Schoonschip and creative breeding ground de Ceuvel. Where Schoonschip's sustainable houseboats float on the IJ, de Ceuvel has lifted old houseboats ashore to clean up the heavily polluted site of the shipyard.

During the bike tour, there is plenty of opportunity for relaxation. Stop for a well-deserved drink at Pompet in the Noorderpark or stroll through the rampant nature of the Vliegenbos, Amsterdam's oldest city forest. There is more to discover and explore in the observatory of the butterfly garden Mot van Mokum, another great spot for a short pit stop and walk when the sun shines.

Start the North bike tour via Google maps.

Creative breeding ground the Ceuvel
Mirror mirror, Children of the Light i.c.w. HOH Architecten, photo by Jordi Huisman

Radical City inc.

Bike tour Amsterdam-West

Discover the most beautiful gardens, hidden nature and art on the bike tour through Amsterdam West. The route starts from our gallery Transnatural with the exhibition Radical City inc.. Here, artists and designers give visions and insights into the city of the future. The point of departure of the exhibition is to create an urban environment in which humans, flora, fauna, environment, objects and architecture constitute one balanced system. 

From Transnatural, set course for the Erasmus Park. In the park you will find the Miracle Garden. Here, special flowers and plants are growing that not only contribute to the biodiversity of the surrounding neighbourhood, but also have been beautifully captured by visual artist and photographer Elspeth Diederix. In a tunnel under the A10 near Sloterdijk Station, you end up in the light-reflecting artwork Mirror Mirror by Children of the Light, a place of wonder both inside and outside off the beltway.  

Gather inspiration for climate proof lifestyles and ways of working together as a community at Amsterdam Vertical, Spaarndammerhart - de Verbinding and Klimaattuin Slotermeer. If you feel like rolling up your own sleeves, you can pick your own bouquet at Pluktuin Lokale Bloemetjes or seasonal fruits at the Fruittuin van West. Finally, experience nature barefooted at the Natureluur or spot rare animals in one of the last pieces of wild nature in Amsterdam, the Lange Bretten. 

Start the Bike tour West via Google maps.

Radical City inc.

Bike tour Amsterdam-Zuid

Discover how nature, culture and architecture collaborate and merge in the bike route of Amsterdam Zuid. The route introduces you to innovative ideas about the reuse of (rain) water, energy and food. These green initiatives are implemented to make streets, office buildings, restaurants and neighborhoods more sustainable.

The first stop is Zone2Source institute in Amstelpark. Here, you will learn to look at the natural environment from a new perspective through art and technology. From Amstelpark you cycle to the gardens of Amstelglorie, where you might spot a kingfisher. You can discover more special flowers and plants in the Botanical Garden and the Artsenijhof.

Of course, a visit to the Zuidas cannot be left out. Admire the smart design of The Edge: one of the most sustainable office buildings in the world. Next, climb the stairs to the public garden of Valley and enjoy the view. This impressive building was designed by architects MVRDV as an urban oasis of greenery, making a positive impact on the biodiversity of the Zuidas.

The route also takes you past examples of climate-proof infrastructure. For example, the green walls of Bioblocks along the A10 Zuid provide shelter to various species of insects and birds. The constructed, ecological connecting zone provides a natural link between the Amsterdam forest and various nature reserves. Finish the route at Circl with an organic sandwich or drink.

Start the bike tour Zuid via Google Maps

Valley by MVRDV architects
Stedelijk Groenpunt

Radical City inc.

Bike tour Amsterdam-Oost

Wondering how residents contribute themselves? The bike route through Oost contains an abundance of knowledge and inspiration for how residents can make their homes, neighborhoods and cities greener and more sustainable. For example, Stedelijk Groenpunt has a NatuurMEdiatheek, Nature Library and hosts mini-exhibitions and neighborhood projects. At Anna's Tuin & Ruigte you can learn all about permaculture, sustainable urban agriculture and polder nature.

Plukbos also works with the agricultural method of permaculture, to connect young and old in the neighborhood and educate about natural ecosystems through gardening together. Other inspiring green neighborhood initiatives can be found on the Valentijnskade and in the water at Entrepothaven. Through the efforts of residents, Buurttuin Valentijn has become a vibrant meeting place with a vegetable garden, herb garden and butterfly garden, while four carefully maintained gardens float in the Entrepothaven.

In Oost, all residents are important. The Amstelstroom bridge takes both people and animals from A to B, as well as providing shelter and breeding places for birds, fish and insects. As does the green facade of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where plantings and nesting holes for animals make the facade nature-inclusive. For wildlife spotting, visit Park Frankendael, or stroll through the peaceful Bella Vista Park: the green heart of the Amstel Quarter. Ready for a snack or a drink? Visit organic restaurant Spirit or restaurant Kas.

Start the bike tour Oost via Google Maps

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