WASHINGTON -- Pedestrians and cyclists are two to six times more likely to be killed on U.S. roads than on German or Dutch roads, according to a study released Thursday.

U.S. pedestrians are 23 times more at risk of being killed than if they drove a car on a U.S. road. Cyclists on American roads are at 12 times higher risk than if they drove, according to U.S. statistics for 2001 published in the September edition of the American Journal of Public Health.

Germany and the Netherlands have reduced the death rate among pedestrians and cyclists over the past 20 years with improved cycle lanes, pedestrian zones and bike paths, according to the researchers.

However, awaiting those who take to U.S. roadways to enjoy the health benefits of walking and biking is "a range of other public policies that make these activities inconvenient, unpleasant and, above all, unsafe," according to the study, conducted by John Pucher of Rutgers University and Lewis Dijkstra of the European Commission.

"Dutch and German bikeway systems serve practical destinations for everyday travel, not just recreational attractions, as with most bike paths in America," Pucher said.

In Europe, people are taught "not just the traffic regulations but how to walk and bicycle defensively, to anticipate dangerous situations and to react appropriately.

"That sort of safety education is completely lacking in the United States," Pucher noted.

U.S. pedestrians are roughly three times more likely to be killed for every kilometer (mile) and per trip walked than are German pedestrians and over six times more likely than Dutch pedestrians.

Cyclists in the United States are twice as likely to be killed per kilometer (mile) and per trip cycled as are German cyclists and are over three times as likely as are Dutch cyclists.