In the Dutch capital, I fell under transport. No, thank God, not by a car. By bicycle. I ran to the middle-aged man in a jacket and tie. Because of this contrast - a business suit and a bike - we have decided that it contrib I can not imagine. But for the Dutch is the norm. They say that even Queen Beatrix sometimes goes to market with a two-wheeled transport.

In Amstredame cyclists so much that it seems to be more than residents. And this tradition has lasted who knows how long. When I saw the chronicle of wartime, where German soldiers were moving on bicycles. We can assume that they confiscated them had occupied Holland. There is a legend: the Dutch resistance movement was organized after the Germans had confiscated their two-wheeled transport.

Whatever was in those ancient times, but today on the carriageway of the street department of special track. Although I love the bike and myself in the Crimea ride, but still to this meet the needs of cyclists, I am not accustomed. Therefore, when crossing the road in Amsterdam, then did not pay attention to dvuhkolesnuh riders. And this is how lightly stepped on the cycle track and I am one of them hooked. However, not much, nothing is damaged and did not break my ldezhdu. I jumped back and began to apologize. He smiled and said that nothing terrible has happened and asked to be careful.

I called and asked a few questions. It turned out that the middle-aged man working the head of office of a bank and is now going to work. He has a car, but he enjoys it less. First of all, lives near the bank, and, secondly, the bike allows him to keep himself in good shape.

Although the Netherlands

rich country, but the citizens preferred a bad bike - for us that something like the old "Ukraine". Because if someone leaves an expensive two-wheeled friend at the store, he was immediately stolen. Stealing a bicycle here ingda not even like the offense. Whom the blood from the nose should be somewhere around, and under the arm there is no transport. He manages to unhook someone's bike and get to where he wants. And not to be caught - eject stolen in kako any of the channels. When a clear channel, then pull out a lot of bikes. Of course, Amsterdam is not a town where thieves everywhere, but such lack.

When we left the city, we saw a unique sight - parking area for bicycles near some of the big house. Mezzanine platforms were completely clogged with bicycles. How many are there? Five thousand? Ten thousand? Hard to say. But a lot!