BBC Inside out program on cycling in Yorkshire pre TdF.

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It helps also that the Netherlands is very flat and everyone can pootle around on steel bikes.

I'd like to see people trying to ride around Sheffield's hills, but most would give up and get back in the car within a week.

Bit of a myth. There are some major hills towards the north and deep south. The headwinds can also rage over 30mph I'm told.

Germany also has hills. Cycling has a 20% share of its traffic. France too. There are also electric bikes as an option, though in reality people just adapt.