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@spindrift
I was born in Germany, cycled around Berlin for a few days last year. As I mentioned I cycled in Amsterdam, and through France and Spain, Italy, Greece and the Czech Republic and Poland.
In Berlin the courtesy shown by drivers was astonishing, a right-turning vehicle will overtake you, the cyclist as you are in your lane, then wait for you to pass before turning! Very unlike east London, I promise you!
But the principle holds true in this country too- increased cycling rates means fewer accidents:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/may/07/cycling-safety-york-calderdale
Studies in many countries have shown consistently that the number of motorists colliding with walkers or cyclists doesn't increase equally with the number of people walking or bicycling.
For example, a community that doubles its cycling numbers can expect a one-third drop in the per-cyclist frequency of a crash with a motor vehicle.