Having lived in both Melbourne and Amsterdam, the two crucial differences are in the Netherlands: 1) almost all Dutch drivers are also cyclists. They know how

Having lived in both Melbourne and Amsterdam, the two crucial differences are in the Netherlands: 1) almost all Dutch drivers are also cyclists. They know how bikes behave, how it feels to be a cyclist around cars, and are therefore far more conscientious of bikes 2) in an accident involving a car and a bike, Dutch road laws have a high presumption that the car is at fault. In Amsterdam, I don't worry about a car running me over. In London and Melbourne I do, and so never ride there without a helmet.