Right, I was talking about the parents' point of view. There are always rougher winters until you get to the north pole I guess, but that doesn't change the loc

Right, I was talking about the parents' point of view. There are always rougher winters until you get to the north pole I guess, but that doesn't change the local people's perception. Also, do they leave the snow on the road, like in France, or do they clear it up? I've also heard Canadians (from Quebec) complain about the rough winters in Paris, so there's that. I don't know where you grew up in Germany nor am I familiar with the country, but the places I've visited (in Baden-Württemberg, around Schwäbisch Hall mostly) had amazing bike infrastructure, with paved paths in very good shape and several meters away from car roads, separated by grass, dirt, etc. I can see why parents would have absolutely no problem letting the kids bike around these paths. Also, drivers seemed much less crazy than around Paris.