After we'd been here a few weeks we were invited to a meeting that all new residents of the city go to at which they tell you about the democratic process etc. and at which you get to meet local political candidates (there are a few as it's all proportional representation over here and all views are relevant). They looked after the kids, and gave us all a big goody bag at the end, which turned out to consist mainly of maps showing nice recreational cycle routes. Again, this was not a cycling event. It's remarkable - bikes get everywhere.

We didn't look for especially cycle friendly schools, electricians, neighbours or even area of the country to live in. This is all just normal. In fact, as I mentioned before, it's less than normal according to the council and they're trying to do something about it, especially as this province (Drenthe) has the reputation of being the "cycling province".

It's difficult to describe in words just how much different it feels as a cyclist to be here. While I already had a very positive impression from visiting in the past, I have a totally different (and yet more favourable) impression now I live here. I'm no longer an underdog. No longer someone who is hated just for being on a bike. Here, riding a bike is the right thing to do and the right thing to be seen doing.

The Dutch have understood cycling like no other country on earth. No-where in the English speaking world have these lessons even started to be learnt. Even the better English language design standards fall well short of average here but for some reason other countries don't seem to want to listen to the true experts in cycling and in encouraging cycling. Those experts, as proven by actual results and not just hot air, are in this country. The Dutch seem to be incredibly modest about this achievement.