Viral picture: Netherlands prime minister rides bicycle to meet the King

AMSTERDAM: A photo of a cycling Netherlands Prime Minister to the Royal Palace has gone viral on the Internet – and for the good reasons.

Mark Rutte, who has led Netherlands since 2010, rode on his bicycle to the palace of the King of Netherlands for a meeting on Saturday.

A photo showed him locking his bicycle upon arrival at the palace with palace guards manning the entrance already adorned with red carpet.

Netherlands, a country of over 17 million, is said to have more bicycles than persons.

Bicycle, which is one of the most healthy and eco-friendly modes of transportation, has been popular amongst the Dutch for decades.

Mr. Rutte’s frequent use of bicycles rather than the clichéd bulletproof automobiles popular amongst political officeholders underscores a lifestyle of humility even in a country that is ranked amongst the wealthiest in the world.

The Dutch PM wins million hearts

 

Saving taxpayers money. I respect him.

— Rob Khanyisa Mchako (@khanyisaMchako) October 14, 2017

This is why I love The Netherlands 😎

— Stanley van Heusden (@stannvanheusden) October 14, 2017

And That’s the secret of your Success..

— WaJiD olasyar Khan (@Wajid_Sherry5) October 16, 2017

And That’s the secret of your Success..

— WaJiD olasyar Khan (@Wajid_Sherry5) October 16, 2017

This question…

With a camera person suspiciously just there to capture it. And he locks it… Why? Is this performative or real?

— Craig Stodolenak (@Pyrrho) October 14, 2017

A Pakistani guy chips in to share his grief…

Yours vs ours pic.twitter.com/nKcwKQt02x

— Arslan Othi (@othi_arslan) October 15, 2017