Han Monsees ) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying :

Here in Holland, cyclists are allowed to overtake stationary or slow
moving traffic on the 'pavement-side" (which would be on the left if
in the UK". Moreover, they have right of way when they are going
straight ahead and a car is turning left.

Strikes me as bloody dangerous.

Every driver is taught that
he has to check thorougly for cyclists between them and the pavement
before turning left. If you're used to it, it's no problem at all.

And lethal if the driver isn't.

In continental Europe, rules have been adapted to give cyclists the
same rights as drivers (i.e. if a cyclist comes from the right, he has
priority over the driver).

Yep, same here.

IMO, this rule increases the average speed
cycling and makes the bike a more attractive mode of transport.

I think that's more to do with the, umm, flatness of NL...