Amsterdam Dance Event starts with night cycling buddies

The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), described as the largest electronic music event in the world, has started with extra safety measures. Organisers such as DGTL and Awakenings are deploying night-time cycling buddies so nobody has to cycle alone.

The municipality of Amsterdam says the buddies are two people who "continuously cycle back and forth" between the event location at NDSM and the ferry. It chose a pair on purpose, it says, "so that they, too, are travelling together and are not alone on the street during the night."

Awakenings has a "goodbye host" at the exit. The host mainly watches for people leaving alone and can help with the route. The host also lets people charge their phone, for example to order an Uber or share their location with someone.

The municipality says it took measures together with ADE. Organisers also receive presentations on safety, and a special campaign teaches bystanders how to intervene in an unsafe situation.

Hajar's body was found last week in a suitcase in the Amstel in Amsterdam, and her murder has caused unrest. ADE also took extra measures last year, after 17-year-old Lisa was murdered in Duivendrecht shortly before the event. The action "Wij eisen de nacht op" ("We claim the night") was launched at that time.