OK folks, picture this: the Amsterdam tourist, fresh off the plane. He (yes, it’s usually a he) is standing smack dab in the middle of the bike path, his map spread out wide before him. The warning bells bearing down on him have no effect on his physical position, and his female companion, who deftly pulls him out of the path of menacing bicycles, usually saves his life.

Airlines should provide a video demo of this scenario to all incoming visitors. I have seen the exact same situation played out scores of times on bike paths all over the city. Since the plane corporations have not yet taken up this challenge, I therefore call all temporary and permanent Amsterdam residents to spread the word! Tell your visitors and their friends to respect the bike path. It is very, very important that they do so.