The number of cyclists in the big cities is growing fast, writes De Pers. Great news, because more bikes means fewer cars. But all is not well. Apart from clogging up the city centres more cyclists are ending up in the accident and emergency department due to traffic accidents. But they have only themselves to blame.

While cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag and Rotterdam are trying to find solutions to the bike problem, the paper has a few tips for wayward cyclists.
1. Look sharp
Cycling in a city centre is not a relaxing way of enjoying its architectural beauty, especially in rush hour traffic. That means not trying to find that particular song on your iPod or sending a text to a pal whilst swaying drunkenly from left to right on the cycle path.
And if you have managed to worm your impatient way through the waiting throngs at the traffic lights take your responsibility: don’t dawdle and stare at the gorgeous man/woman next to you. Green means go. Now.
2. Behave yourself!
You are an anti social cyclist, you know you are. Nobody likes to cycle in the wind and rain, trussed up in waterproofs. So be gentle with each other. Don’t cut each other off, don’t rant and rave or ring your bell endlessly when you can’t get through. And remember: cars are bigger and stronger than you. Fancy tricks like doing wheelies or zigzagging should be done on the square behind your house, not in the middle of traffic. And adjust your gears. Spinning is what you do in a gym class. Just behave yourself.
3. Give each other space
You are not competing in the Tour de France. Stay well behind another cyclist. Tailgating is incredibly annoying and dangerous to boot.
4. Don’t speed
You really are not competing in the Tour de France. Adjust your speed to the average speed of your fellow cyclists. Does it matter if you’re a few minutes late? Honestly. On the other hand, don’t go too slow. If other cyclists overtake you by the dozen you should probably walk.
5. Sell the cargo bike
After the scooter the cargo bike is easily the most detested means of urban transportation. It is too wide, it is too unwieldy. It invites aggression, and rightly so. Why have it al all? It’s expensive as well. Go back to the single children’s seat, one in the front, on in the back. What was wrong with that anyway? Sell the thing.