There are more than 15 million bicycles in the country and 600,000 in Amsterdam alone! Every year these bicycles increase by 15%! 85% of the population buys bicycles (and every household has several) and there are 10,000 kilometers of wonderful bicycle paths. All public buildings, parks, etc. take into account bicycle parking. Most national roads, except the main roads, have special bicycle paths along the motorway. These bicycle paths also have their own traffic lights and road signs in many cases.

On some bicycle paths, motorcycles are not allowed, and then there is always a very interesting sign: “Hier niet brommen” This means that mopeds are not allowed on the bicycle path!

Just look at how many bicycles are parked at the stations! Most people probably work in another city/town and then they ride their bicycle to the station, and then they lock it there and they go to work by train. Tonight when he returns, he will grab his bike and ride home.

The Dutch are a people who love cycling. You can see this from the millions of bicycles there. All it takes is a little sunshine, and the whole family is out on their bikes. Dad and Mom each on a bike with one or two little ones with them on the bike and maybe one or two more children on their own bikes. And if there is room for the dog, even more fun! A whole trip! The most wonderful thing is that it is permissible to “hitchhike”. Don’t be scared by the many gray-haired people on their bikes. It’s not strange to see an old aunt or uncle of 80 years still riding a bike.!

The pensioners (futters), make a habit of often cycling in large groups for a whole day from village to village. Remember that the villages are sometimes only 5 or 9 kilometers apart! And remember, Holland is a very flat country with no mountains and that makes cycling great!! Because bicycles are also stolen a lot, special bicycle patrol teams have been set up and video cameras have been installed where many bicycles are tied up.

The Dutch have been building dikes and dams for 800 years to save the country from flooding. The largest part of the country is (was) below sea level, but incredible technology has been used to prevent the country from flooding again like in January 1953. Holland also has the famous Afsluitdijk that connects the northern islands with a road across the sea! At the southern islands there is the Delta Works that shows incredible engineering ingenuity. You can visit both of these places, it’s definitely worth the effort.

Flowers play a very important role in the life of the Dutch. If you want to show your gratitude or sympathy towards people, give flowers, if you are invited to a meal, take flowers with you for the hostess. They are a people who would rather give each other flowers than cards, for example. Holland is the largest exporter of cut flowers in the world. Every 10 years the Floriade is held. It is an incredibly large flower show. The Bloemencorso, the flower boat parade through Aalsmeer, Amstelveen and Amsterdam, is held annually and takes place in September. It is a colorful procession with all the flowers on the boats.

One of the biggest tourist attractions is Keukenhof, which is only open for 6 weeks a year, from March to May. It is the 32-hectare flower garden where 6 million tulips are exhibited. Apart from these tulips, there are many other types of flowers as well. Outside Keukenhof, the fields are full of these colorful tulips, ready to be cut and exported. It is definitely something you should go and see. You would definitely be poorer if you had not seen it. You cannot imagine something so beautiful!