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BBC Learning English July 9, 2026

Cycling in Britain and the Netherlands

The rise of cycling in Britain and the Netherlands has been a gradual process, with a milestone event being the industrial era when bicycle manufacturing took off. This led to the bicycle becoming an everyday tool for transportation in the Netherlands, where it is deeply ingrained in the culture.

The United Arab Emirates is now trying to replicate this success, with a focus on improving the quality of life for its citizens. They are building 600km of cycle tracks in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in an effort to make cycling a more attractive option for residents. However, cycling in the UAE is not a copy and paste of cycling in the Netherlands, as the climate and culture are very different.

The Dutch have a long history of cycling, with a cycle network that spans over 95,000 miles. This has led to a high level of liveability in the country, with cycling being a popular mode of transportation. In contrast, the UAE is still in the early stages of developing its cycling infrastructure, but they are hoping to learn from the Dutch example.

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