I am from the Netherlands, a tiny country with a population of 16 million. A few more numbers: there are approximately 18 million bicycles around here. 84% of the Dutch owns one or more bicycles. In 2008 1.4 million new bikes were sold. Still there's a lot to do in order to reduce the use of cars: 50% of the trips by car are 7.5 kilometres or less.

In octobre I will ride the Eroica in Tuscany, Italy on my blue/ivory 1983 Gazelle Champion Mondial, in my opinion one of the most beautiful roadbikes ever built. In the meantime the bike needs quite some work. I just ordered a set of new spokes and nipples.
Avanti!