The extensive network of dedicated bicycle lanes in the Netherlands may seem like an inefficient use of space just for cyclists. The lanes actually provide great benefit, because they encourage bicycling which by itself has a lot of benefits for everyone. But these lanes benefit other people besides the bicyclists.
Pedestrians are more protected by the simple existence of the bicycling lanes – if only because there’s more distance between sidewalk and road traffic.
People on mobility scooters benefit because the bicycle lanes give THEM a safe protected place to travel.
Thus, the protected bicycle infrastructure like is widely employed in the Netherlands provides multiple benefits to all of society.
