Monday, November 17, 2008

Article - A Canadian in Amsterdam discovers the downside of a cyclist's paradise

Toronto Star, October 25
Author: Wanda Praamsma

From a planner's point of view, says Weesep, cyclists are intrinsic to Dutch cities' functionality. "If cyclists were taken off the road, it would grind the system to a halt." Half of Amsterdam residents aged 12 and up cycle every day, and the bicycle is the choice vehicle for 37 per cent of trips made in the city, compared with 22 per cent for public transit and 41 per cent for cars. There are about 600,000 bicycles in the city, owned by its 750,000 citizens, and most of the 400-plus kilometres of bike lanes are separated from vehicular roads.

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