ds99 wrote:
Belgian car drivers are generally terrible, as the Dutch are too. They all follow extremely close. I've no idea why.
Having experienced both sides of the Channel. I live reasonably close to the Dutch border, I have experience of their driving standards.
For a motorcycle Belgium, and in the main the Netherlands is brilliant. On the motorways they tend to give you space - about 75%+. The concept of "Sorry mate I didn't see you" as being a valid excuse to wipe a bike out - does not exist.
The only time I get blocked, is if there is a GB sticker or on the plate.
I think for a motorcycle if you are alert then riding in Belgium is a better experience than in the UK. However for the road conditions ... another story entirely!
On average the car drivers think about the biker, and make allowances for some of the stunts we pull.
Can we honestly say the UK driver is as considerate? My wife passed her test in the UK, so she knows the rules. Frequently she has surprised a UK plated car driver on a roundabout by taking her right of way. These days the drivers see a foreign plated vehicle and try to force themselves on a roundabout. That is far worse than driving close. (If they touch you from behind in Belgium - they are at fault, no questions. So it encourages careful driving.)