April 24, 2026

Bikes! Bikes! Bikes!

One reason I love Belgium is because so many people ride bikes. Like....everyone.

I was just there and thought it would be fun to show and explain some photos from Ghent.

Here's the bike parking lot at the Gent-Sint-Pieters train station. Well, about half the parking lot. Notice that there are literally bikes on top of bikes.

Parents picking up kids from school.....by bike. The kids ride in back, in front, in trailers, and in all manner of ways.

Dedicated bike lanes everywhere, with their own traffic lights. There's a little kid in that bike in front, protected from rain.

Package delivery. By bike.



Notice the four lanes: cars, bikes, parking, pedestrians. Very typical.

The sign tells you that you can take this bike path to Brussels, over 30 miles away.

Bike lanes in red. Notice how there's a dedicated space for bikes IN FRONT OF the cars at intersections.

The right-of-way heirarchy is this:

1. Emergency vehicles
2. Trams
3. Pedestrians
4. Bikes
5. Cars

Here's a bike parts vending machine at the public library. And a free public tire pump.

And here's outside the library. More bikes.

Another reason I love Belgium is because I have a daughter and son-in-law who live there. And they just had a baby! I know. It's a thing. I'm a Grandad now. The baby's name is Josephine.

Many quotes. Same principle.

I've been reading this book - The Courage to be Disliked - and want to tell you some things that I learned from it; and related things I've learned over the years.

Out of ten people, 1 will dislike you, 2 will like you, and the other 7 will be meh. Why do we focus on the one! There's no need. Give your energy to the other nine.

Don't care what people think. Just don't let it bother you. Move on. Think and do other things. What other people think of me is none of my business. It's ME who I have to make peace with. I'm the fish I gotta catch.

Want self esteem? Do esteemable things. And it's okay if no one notices. Did I serve others today with love and kindness? That's all that matters.

I once heard someone say: "Try do do something nice for someone every day, and not get caught." Repeat: it's okay if no one notices.

Have you heard this quote from Goi Nasu? "An entire sea of water can't sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can't put you down unless you allow it to get inside you."

And there's the famous quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

In my own book - Together We Decide - I provide the following quote by a gal named Mary Thayer:

1. Show up
2. Pay attention
3. Speak your truth
4. And let go of the outcome

If one of the outcomes is being disliked by someone, so be it. I like myself when I do the first three.

383 Free Handouts, Tips, and Videos

Did you know I offer free resources on all aspects of group dynamics? Check them out here.

Boards, board directors, board committees, CEOs, board administrators, and governance advisors: Prepare to be inspired!

I'll be there in Halifax, Nova Scotia with a Keynote Address

From the conference website: "Craig's keynote will include a live, facilitated conversation on stage among people with differing views on a hot topic. We’re going to pick the topic AT the conference. Buckle up."

Join a group of governance peers and professionals for 2.5 days of networking, learning, and growth.

Learn about it here.

Want to bring a A Model Conversation to your group or conference?



Write to me and let's talk.

Click here for types of meetings we facilitate and types of training we offer

What if this newsletter was shorter and more frequent?

Write to me with your opinion.



I will send Together We Decide to the first three people who respond.

Links to get along and find peace

Written and published by Craig Freshley. Thanks for walking along with me.