A year ago, I was cycling in the US. I had to ride on the sidewalk or insane bike lanes in the middle of traffic. Cars were merging through the bike lane, doors were everywhere, it was really bad. And the city claimed how "bike friendly" it is because it had 1 multi-use paved trail that ran the length of the city. I would never have let my kid bike to school alone - we biked with him because of the roadways that had to be crossed.
Now I live in the Netherlands. Today, I cycled to ewaste recycling, the supermarket, and to my kid's drum lesson. I was on bike-safe neighborhood streets, long and plentiful separated bike lanes, and one street with a painted bike lane / share road. I'm complaining about that last street with the city because it didn't feel safe to cross and there are some blind curves.
The worst street style here is the absolute best street I ever used when living in the US.
My kid bikes to school every day by himself. He bikes or walks to the supermarket when he wants to get snacks (or groceries if I offer him a tip), or to the park. None of that would have ever been possible in 99% of the US.
The US ruined its liveability for the sole benefit of auto companies. It's really sad and pathetic.
