There are so many things to learn from that video despite being only twelve minutes long. Huge amounts of safe, covered cycle racks; less cars on the roads to compete with; everyone riding around in their day-to-day clothes; thoughtful considerations for cyclists (e.g. the guttering down the sides of the stairs).

What I didn't see in that video were full suspension mountain bikes, carbon fibre road bikes and even aluminium hybrids. What I did see was practical bikes with chain guards, curved handlebars, and plenty of carrying space. But they're not the kind of bikes you'll find in your local bike shop.

Thanks for the "only" bit. The YouTube generation don't like long vids (it's different on Vimeo, of course).

At the parliamentary reception where this video was shown, Emily Thornberry MP (seen in green in the film) said bicycles in Netherlands were used as aids to going slightly faster than walking. In the UK - to avoid being squished - cyclists have to be almost as fast as cars, the so-called 'vehicular cycling' made popular by Forrester etc.

In London, there are more and more 'Dutch roadsters' appearing on the scene and perhaps we'll see a cultural shift in the years to come. Cycling needs to broaden its appeal in the UK, become more "normal". Fully-equipped, weather-proof bikes can certainly help with that.

The key difference, it seems to me is the attitude to the car and a car driver's responsibilities. " A car driver should understand that he is in a machine that can kill" & "There is no space for cars".

Oppose this to the hysteria that resulted from the suggestion that cyclists in the UK should be able to turn left against a red light—"pedestrians could be injured" . HOw many pedestrians in the UK are injured by bikes and how many by cars (normalised for the number of bike miles and car miles travelled in urban environments)

Yes, the UK has a long way to go! Fortunately there is sopport and advice at hand from the Dutch within the UK!
I am a UK based "Cycling Dutchman", working as a Bikeability instructor, event manager and surveyor of cycling routes in the UK. I also advice councils on where and how to improve their cycling infrastructure. Please send an email to cyclingdutchman@yahoo.com to be in touch!

Good work. An inspiring video! I knew most of the Dutch cycled from the few visits I've made to the Netherlands. What I didn't appreciate until viewing this, was just how well the Dutch have managed to integrated train and cycle transportation modes.

To duplicate this in the UK, it needs a long term commitment by all parties. I hope that exists, because the British won't give up their cars and lardy lifestyles without a fight, methinks.

Loved this video and I think Amsterdam is awesome! I want to live there and probably will within the next year or two. As for bikes and cars, I think it will take changing the mindset of drivers who get annoyed at cyclists and developing an infrastructure that makes it safer for cyclists along with super high fuel prices that make driving ridiculously expensive.

I'm in the US and it's sad that our society as well as our cultural identities are so connected with cars. Changing that won't be easy. But anything can happen if we make a plan and execute it.

For myself, I enjoy taking a bicycle holiday vacation now and then, traveling between bed & breakfast inns on my bike with my favorite person. Great fun!