I lived most of my teenage years in Limburg, the southern "tip" of the Netherlands, riding in bicycle lanes and paths. I was convinced that one needed a separate lane - that was just how it was done! The only streets without separate paths were neighborhood side streets.

I am now in Chattanooga, TN (home of the Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference in 2010!) and was walking to work for a number of months (2 mile commute, by foot "only" ~40 minutes). I had been thinking about getting the old bicycle out and riding it to work - but, once again, I kept thinking "...if only there were bike lanes..." Well, one day I had an "epiphany", and realized that I could simply ride in the travel lanes!

So, since then, I've discovered "vehicular cycling", and wonder why this isn't more common throughout the United States? In the Netherlands "vehicular cycling" just isn't necessary, due to their VERY extensive bike lanes and paths, but the most important difference is fact that the motorists are simply bicycle riders behind the wheel of a motorcar.

As a transportation planning professional, I am shocked (SHOCKED!) that "vehicular cycling" is unknown, but the advocacy for bike lanes and paths is overwhelming. In reality, what better "bike lanes" do we have than our own city streets?