Happiness is a Dutch bicycle

On page 32 of his new book, Happiness: Lessons from a New Science, Richard Layard charts happiness versus per capita income of various countries. The country with the highest percent who are "Happy" or "Satisfied"?

The Netherlands, by a good bit.

Why? Dutch bicycles, if you want my opinion.

Holland has no monopoly on Layard's big seven -- family relationships, financial situation, work, community and friends, health, personal freedom, and personal values -- factors he claims can account for much of happiness.

Here's why the Dutch norm of bicycling everywhere creates more happiness:

• Exercise makes people's bodies feel good.
• Exercise lifts people's spirits.
• Bikers are not anonymous the way drivers are; hence their traffic interactions are much more civil.
• Riding a bike instead of a Hummer to work is just one example of the general Dutch aversion to flaunting wealth--the struggle to keep up with (or better) your neighbors creates much unhappiness in many cultures.
• Almost running over clueless American tourists who will go home and blog about you gets your pulses racing.

# Posted by Betsy Devine on 4/7/05; 10:15:39 AM - in Pilgrimages