[exelius]

> I wouldn't be surprised if fancy bike makes you go a lot faster than the old dinky bikes we ride around on.

Most people riding on the roads in the US for transportation are riding 20-30 year old bikes that are just as crappy as Dutch bikes. Think college kids, recent immigrants, or young people. Even rich people who want to commute via bike will often buy a "beater bike" made out of salvaged parts from old bicycles. But unlike the Netherlands, you have to carry a bike lock with you because if you don't lock your bike, someone WILL steal it. I don't think I saw a bike lock the entire time I was in the Netherlands.

The guys riding the fast bikes with all the gear are cycling for sport. Though they may be more prevalent in the US as a percentage of cyclists because fewer people use bikes for transportation over here. Regardless, I wouldn't ride here without a helmet.

[KJasper]

You probably saw that wrong, because almost every bike is locked and everyone has had his/her bike stolen at least once. Most locks are part of the bike though and not a chainlock.