Amsterdam...a model

Amsterdam has a 25-50% cycle rate. This represents a deliberate policy: Amsterdam city Council set out to make cycling safer and popular.

Of course the city's geography helped, with few hills and narrow roads, and the city started to actively encourage cycling over 30 years ago. There are many cycle lanes by the side of busy roads, and these are safe for inexperienced cyclists. Residential roads have very slow speeds, and these roads are designed to prevent fast driving. In the next few years Amsterdam is going to spend 100 million euros to improve its cycle network further, and reduce car use. For longer journeys residents often combine their cycle journey with public transport, that is bus, tram or ferry. The bus and public transport service is very reliable and safe and popular. There is little danger of mugging, and many people are seen out walking in the evening.