Originally Posted by
CrankyOne
First, Holland is a region in The Netherlands, not a country. The Netherlands is not at all anti-car nor are many (or any?) of her citizens.
i could not disagree more. since the 70s there has been a concerted effort in
holland to limit car use via taxation, legislation, and urban re-design. this movement has it's roots in the kindermoord and 70s/80s environmental protests. moreover, as one of the nations most threatened by narcissistic single-occupancy vehicle use, environmental sentiment is very strong in
holland.
Germany, Sweden, some cities in Spain, and elsewhere are implementing some form of the Dutch (Netherlands) model, to a greater or lessor degree,
the german cycling federation has been harshly critical of the dutch model. Multiple studies conducted in germany have reported that dutch-style infrastructure is associated with increased injury risk -- especially at intersections. Based on these studies and a general dissatisfaction with the limited space avaiable in existing cycle paths they have been and continue to be decommissioned throughout germany. (They are typically replaced with in-road bike lanes.)
(they fear becoming obese Americans).
almost half of adults in the netherlands are obese or overweight. even more troubling, obesity among dutch children is epidemic.