Can I add my bit. We lived in Leiden for 2 years. I cycled to the station to commute by train to Amsterdam (Zuid). A big advantage there is that there are no hills anywhere. What struck me most of all though was the quality of the road surface and of the cycle tracks. Not a pothole to be seen. The UK is third world in comparison. Also, there is near total separation between the road vehicles and the bikes. This made it a pleasure to cycle. And everyone from 8 to 80 was cycling. So there was no need for either the cars or the bikes to defend their territory. Each had their own. I cycled in Cambridge for three years as a student, but there was safety in numbers there. I wouldn’t cycle in London for any money(although I have tried it). The roads are too rutted, there are too many hills, too many car doors being opened by drivers(and passengers) who do not look out, too many car drivers who want to take you out, and too much lawlessness at traffic lights. Every day was a fight for survival. The UK needs the change in mindset that the Dutch had 20 years ago. I’m not optimistic.
It’s flat, which means it’s windy. It also rains a lot. All this means that you’d think the country is really unsuited to mass cycling. Of course! It’s the infrastructure, stupid.
Lots of British towns & cities are flat. Doesn’t mean they’re safe or pleasant to cycle in. What really makes the difference in the Netherlands are cycle paths that are safe for all ages because bikes & motor vehicles don’t have to compete for the same space, which is scary and dangerous for people on bikes and often frustrating for car drivers (especially the impatient ones). & yes we do have some bike lanes in the UK, but most of them stop just where they’re really needed, i.e. just where the road narrows or at busy junctions, which makes them worse than useless and discourages people from travelling by bike. It’s really not just about the hills, or lack of them (especially now that electric-assist bikes make even hilly roads less of a workout).
Can I add my bit. We lived in Leiden for 2 years. I cycled to the station to commute by train to Amsterdam (Zuid). A big advantage there is that there are no hills anywhere. What struck me most of all though was the quality of the road surface and of the cycle tracks. Not a pothole to be seen. The UK is third world in comparison. Also, there is near total separation between the road vehicles and the bikes. This made it a pleasure to cycle. And everyone from 8 to 80 was cycling. So there was no need for either the cars or the bikes to defend their territory. Each had their own. I cycled in Cambridge for three years as a student, but there was safety in numbers there. I wouldn’t cycle in London for any money(although I have tried it). The roads are too rutted, there are too many hills, too many car doors being opened by drivers(and passengers) who do not look out, too many car drivers who want to take you out, and too much lawlessness at traffic lights. Every day was a fight for survival. The UK needs the change in mindset that the Dutch had 20 years ago. I’m not optimistic.
By the way, I do like your books.
I think the flatness of the terrain must be a boon. I believe the cities and towns are cycle friendly too.
Coz it's flat.
It’s flat, which means it’s windy. It also rains a lot. All this means that you’d think the country is really unsuited to mass cycling. Of course! It’s the infrastructure, stupid.
Lots of British towns & cities are flat. Doesn’t mean they’re safe or pleasant to cycle in. What really makes the difference in the Netherlands are cycle paths that are safe for all ages because bikes & motor vehicles don’t have to compete for the same space, which is scary and dangerous for people on bikes and often frustrating for car drivers (especially the impatient ones). & yes we do have some bike lanes in the UK, but most of them stop just where they’re really needed, i.e. just where the road narrows or at busy junctions, which makes them worse than useless and discourages people from travelling by bike. It’s really not just about the hills, or lack of them (especially now that electric-assist bikes make even hilly roads less of a workout).
Surely the replacement of Utrecht's urban ring road helps give the answer. It's reverted to being a canal, removing the dominance of the car.
It also helps that it is a small country with very compact cities and a moderate climate.
What’s the size of the country got to do with anything? A five mile bike ride is a five mile bike ride regardless of the size of the country.