[Gregam3]

I've lived in Amsterdam for 2 years now, and whilst the "fear" of the cyclists has long worn off, there is still considerable inconvenience as a pedestrian. Many busy areas have a pavement only wide enough for 1 or 2 people at a time, meaning you constantly have to walk in the road and compete with the cars and bikes. It can be really quite unpleasant.

That being said in order to maintain the beautiful traditional architecture and layout of the city centre sacrifices must be made, and as a cyclist I also feel the pain of being blocked by pedestrians. Everyone suffers a little bit, which from what I've heard seems to be a dominant Dutch political philosophy reflected in its coalition governments.