The fact is that Amsterdam is a very old city constructed around the idea of water transport (for freight) and has very little of its precious below sea level land to commit to roads. It has bike lanes because there is no room for cars anyway. Is the result nice or pleasant? No. Just walking across a street in Amsterdam is a harrowing experience! It also makes for very inefficient delivery (unless the business is on one of the canals). Luckily, there are no hills for cyclists when all the land is reclaimed from the sea.
And the number one export of the Netherlands - refined petroleum products! That's not very environmental, is it, Beav? At least they haven't let their own lifestyle limitations blind them to the needs of the rest of the planet.
BTW, number 2 is pharmaceuticals. Figures, as probably everyone there is on anxiety meds!
Amsterdam is a fun place to visit BECAUSE IT IS SO ODDLY LAID OUT. Like a funhouse. It's a good example of WHAT NOT TO DO for modern cities.
p.s. It's considered good luck to throw your bike into a canal in Amsterdam. Thousands do it every year. Maybe that should tell you how much the citizens love biking!
