Strollers (Kinderwagens)

Strollers are a big deal here in NL. I am often in awe at the space-age looking strollers that I see being pushed around Den Haag. I guess it makes sense that strollers would be high tech given that the Dutch aren't afraid to go walking outdoors in any kind of weather, regardless of how old little Saskia or Willem might be.

The strollers seem to be some form of "transformer", starting off as a pram where the infant is lying down and evolving into something for an older baby. Often there is a sleeping bag-like cover that the child's legs are nestled into to protect them from the elements.

"Transformer" stroller

My favorite is the double-decker stroller where there is 1 pram on the top and another on the bottom. I've only seen a couple of these and I was in awe both times as their size.

"Double-decker" twin stroller

I've also noticed that, for some reason, the strollers usually have a V-shaped wheelbase, where the 2 back wheels are farther apart and there is either only 1 front wheel or 2 front wheels close to each other. I can only assume this provides for better maneuverability. Also, the seat that the child is in seems to sit higher than the ones I'm used to seeing back in the US.

V-Shaped wheelbase

No matter what the make or model, the strollers here are a far cry from the umbrella strollers I'm used to seeing. Then again, here in NL, when children are about that age the parents have already promoted them to a "balance bike" which I will discuss in a future post.