[radicalbyte]

I grew up in the UK (0-25) and now live in The Netherlands (26-39).

There's no way that you can compare the two countries. Car drivers in the UK are entitled t*ts who think that they own the road.

In the UK the total costs of driving a large car premium car (Mercedes, BMW, Volvo) are lower than the costs of driving a small city car in The Netherlands (Kia Picanto, Renault Clio, VW Up) so you see a lot more SUVs on the road there.

Further the infrastructure for cycling in the UK is poor.

I cycled a lot in the UK but never felt safe doing so. The Netherlands, although far from perfect, is heaven in comparison.

I really hope that they learn from the things the Dutch have done right (having significant infrastructure) and from the things they do wrong (inconsistent right-of-way for cyclists are standard crossings - the cyclist/pedestrians should always have priority).

[Nursie]

> In the UK the total costs of driving a large car premium car (Mercedes, BMW, Volvo) are lower than the costs of driving a small city car

??

I'm pretty sure that's not the case. Large engined cars use more fuel and are taxed higher, plus the insurance costs are higher, as are parts etc. Small city cars are cheaper on all fronts AFAICT.

[radicalbyte]

I fudge-fingered "in The Netherlands" out somehow whilst editing my post.

[eitland]

Here in Norway it is the cyclists that are entitled.

I often use bike myself, even prefer it, but there's a huge difference between using a bike and being one of those people who'll cross into the road right ahead of you and then ride slowly (happened yesterday) or insisting on riding in the middle of the road uphill, even when there was a wide sidewalk next to the road (also happened yesterday).

[detaro]

Is biking on the sidewalk allowed in Norway? Hear arguments like that here too, and am always surprised how cyclists are somehow "entitled" for following the law.

[eitland]

Absolutely, as long as you are careful and there isn't any sign or other markings put up to tell you otherwise.

Walk and bike path (gang og sykkelsti) we often call them. One major disadvantage though if you are biking fast is that everytime you have to cross the road you have to yield or walk as cars (technically) don't have to yield for bikes[0]. That's the reason I pointed out that bike was going uphill, slowly. I get it that when someone is traveling at 30-40 km/t they shouldn't have to stop every 50m.

[0]: Although of course that does not mean you will get away with it. A good friend of mine was more or less run into by a bike crossing. He had right-of-way but police still fined him something along the lines of 6000NOK.