Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

When I posted I was headed to The Netherlands once again to visit (and for my first time to Utrecht,) as usual I got a lot of recommendations on what to look at. One of the first people to contact me was Rebecca Albrecht, who moved there with her husband Paul from Boston about three years ago and couldn't be more delighted to live there.

She mentioned she lived on a Dutch play street (woonerf) and when I looked at the photos she had snapped from the window of her bed & breakfast, my first thought was: maybe this would be an opportunity to get a unique angle from residents since I had ridden on so many similar streets in Amsterdam and in Copenhagen but didn't want to be too nosy.

When I arrived the street was full of neighbors and children and they wanted to talk to me about their lovely street. But this is not something exceptional as over 2 million Dutch people live on play/living streets. So take a gander but be warned: you will want the same thing for your block.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Eyes on the Street: Caltrans Protected Bikeway Near SD Freeway

Caltrans is the white hat. It's San Diego that messed up.

March 27, 2026

The Week in Short Videos

CTC Loves Highways, Streets for All Loves High-Speed Rail, and Streetsblog Loves Long Beach!

Friday’s Headlines

Sales taxes, rail extensions, bike lanes, and more...

March 27, 2026

Friday Video: Five Bike Advocacy Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making

For one thing, make sure that political leaders who say "no" to livable streets experience consequences for their decisions.

March 26, 2026

Metro Board Unanimously Advances K Line North Light Rail Extension

Mayor Bass backed off of her push for indefinite delays requested by some mid-city residents opposed to tunneling under their homes.

March 26, 2026

Transit Agencies Mark Progress as Ballot Efforts Intensify

Help gather signatures for the funding measures during this weekend's demonstrations.

March 26, 2026
See all posts