THE Dutch must have strong legs. That was my conclusion after a month-long visit to the Netherlands this recent spring, for they seemed to cycle for every occasion. The country is hailed as the Land of Windmills, Tulips, Wooden Clogs and Cheese but I think they forgot to add that it is also the Realm of Mad Cyclists.
Bicycles clearly outnumber cars in Amsterdam. Nearly all roads in the city centre have special bicycle paths. At any time of the day, the bicycle ballet unfolds before one’s eyes: children being pulled on trailers attached to bikes, men in executive suits balancing their briefcases on their handlebars and septuagenarians on their granny bikes with high handlebars.
