Hi, Bike lanes and pedestrians are normally priority near canals and unfortunately, people park their cars near the canals like the picture. It's very risky but in a few cities in the Netherlands, near the canal, cars are parked like this (mostly Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht so far I saw). I think most of these residential buildings don't have their parking spots so they park in front of their home like this near canals. I will ask around why they park like this...

Everything else looks wonderful and I'm jealous

It's actually a nice city, I am glad you liked this city...Have a nice weekend...