[rexpress]

The only way reasonably dense cities such as Amsterdam could accommodate everyone's desire to drive is by tolerating dirty air, severe congestion and roads that are dangerous and unpleasant for people walking or cycling. From experience it is entirely possible to raise a family in a city without owning a car, even in a country that isn't as enlightened towards urban planning as the Netherlands.

The thing about Dutch planning that is even nicer than their car constraining policies in the cities is that safe cycling is provided for way beyond city limits. A few years ago I took my family on holiday to the Netherlands and we travelled safely and comfortably by bike, both in the cities, the countryside and the villages in between.

It doesn't surprise me that not everyone is happy. Car drivers have been able to claim the lions share of scarce road space for themselves for so long, equality must feel like victimisation.