One thing I noticed is how devoid of pedestrians the cycle path appeared to be. Is there some law in Holland that pedestrians are not allowed to walk in the cycle path, or do pedestrians just have more awareness of cyclists and are happy to use the parallel footpath?
One of the problems with trying to build infrastructure like that is the space issue. Where in our towns and cities do we have a spare 2.5 meter strip along both sides of the main roads to put a cycle path like that down? It could work between towns but it is no good having a decent safe route to the edge of a town if the cyclist has to then mix it up with fast motor traffic to get from the edge to the center of the town.
I think the film must have been made early in the morning, traffic levels of all types, motor/cycle/pedestrian is remarkably low in the video.
Not sure about the law, but cyclists can get shirty with pedestrians who have the effrontery to stray on to the cycle path in cities. Where traffic is lighter and paths are joint user, both cyclists and pedestrians exercise strict lane discipline, you just don't get pedestrains wandering all over the path, likewise cyclists keep to the right.
Regarding space, existing space can be redistributed if the political will is there.
There is no need to "mix it with fast motor traffic" between town centre and town edge. If the motor traffic is fast, it is segregated from cyclists and pedestrians, if it cannot be segregated then the motor traffic is slowed down, if it is not fast then mixing is ok.
The only way to really understand segregation Dutch style is to take a look for yourself. A trip on the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland and cycle in to Rotterdam centre via Maassluis, roughly 20 miles, will give an experience of both urban and rural, city and small town cycling.
