You should be very careful not to stand on these paths, where bicycles have priority over pedestrians and move very fast! If you don't get out of the way after the ring of a bicycle bell, a cyclist may quickly lose his temper!

With nearly as many bikes as people (13 million bikes, 16 million Dutchmen), pancake-flat Holland was made for pedalling. But before you hit the road there, your cycling knowhow will need some fine-tuning. To ride like a local, it is key to stay as upright as possible and make it look effortless while being mindful of pedestrians, cars and other cyclists around you. It's all about riding with confidence. Don't hunch over, and use the strength in your legs to push without moving the rest of your body too much. Finally, don't forget to ring your bell - a lot!

Bicycle etiquette is different in Germany. Here if you can bicycle past someone and leave a metre's distance, you do so. If you are going to have to pass a little closer, you may wish to make a sound or announce "Fahrrad!" (bicycle), so the pedestrian or other cyclist knows not to make any sudden movements as you ride past. You ring your bell only if people walking on the cycle path have to move for you to pass – that is, if you would hit them or would have to stop if they didn't move aside.

From 1975 to 2001, the Dutch more than doubled their already massive network of cycle paths and lanes; the Germans tripled theirs from 1976 to 1995. Germany and Holland also provide an increasing number of "bicycle streets," where cyclists have strict right of way. Germany and Holland have improved conditions for cyclists and pedestrians by employing concerted, long-term public policies to re-engineer streets, change urban design, strengthen traffic enforcement and traffic laws and institute more vigorous driver education.