Bicycling is so easy in flat Holland that you don't have to be in shape to cover distance quickly. Add hills and cycling quickly becomes something resembling work in a salt mine. Fine if you are into physical fitness and don't mind getting sweaty. Not so great if you work in an office at the end of your commute. Doesn't work so well for the other 90% of the population whether they are lazy or it's too inconvenient. I was an avid biker but came to the conclusion one day that I wanted to live. The toll from automobile accidents on my fellow regular riders was looking like hang gliding statistics. When my Brother in Law, who rode to work everyday for a number of years, ended up in a coma, despite wearing a helmet, I called it quits for commuting and riding on highways. Still carry my Bike Friday on the boat and ride it around but stay off highways and busy city streets. Search out back roads and quiet streets to get where I wan't to go even if it's considerably further.