When you visit the Netherlands, you are likely to see more bikes than actual people. Almost everyone uses bicycles as their preferred means of transportation. I can't imagine my life without bikes. I used to go to school by bike every day, along with some of my friends who live nearby. Cycling has always been a regular thing for me, and that's for granted. When I realized that cycling is not very popular in other countries, I started asking myself the question “Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?”.
Holland's flat terrain is what makes cycling in Holland so popular. Infrastructure in the Netherlands is built around cyclists. There are several designated bike lanes, making it a safe mode of transportation. In big cities, cycling is also easier and faster than driving a car.
But cycling isn't just done for convenience. There are many other reasons to use a bike other than just getting from one place to another, for fun for example. Below you can find many examples of activities the Dutch use their bicycle for.
Why is cycling popular in the Netherlands?
Cycling is very popular in the Netherlands. On average, the Dutch ride about 900 kilometers (about 559 miles) a year. Cumulatively, this means that the entire Dutch population spins over 15 billion kilometers per year!
Often it does not matter whether the day is sunny or raining. The Dutch love to ride their bikes when they have to go somewhere. We take our bikes when we go out to dance, when we want to go to the gym or when we go to visit a family member. Cycling to school and work is most common.
You never have to worry about not having a bike near the Dutch, because in the Netherlands there are approximately 1,3 bikes per person. This means that there are more bicycles than people in the country.
This is the reason cycling is so popular in the Netherlands
Cycling is very popular in the Netherlands. On average, the Dutch ride about 900 kilometers (about 559 miles) a year. Cumulatively, this means that the entire Dutch population spins over 15 billion kilometers per year!
Often it does not matter whether the day is sunny or raining. The Dutch love to ride their bikes when they have to go somewhere. We take our bikes when we go out to dance, when we want to go to the gym or when we go to visit a family member. Cycling to school and work is most common.
You never have to worry about not having a bike near the Dutch, because in the Netherlands there are approximately 1,3 bikes per person. This means that there are more bicycles than people in the country.
Bike lanes contribute significantly to the popularity of cycling in the Netherlands. It makes cycling next to cars safer. Safety is really the reason there are so many bike lanes, and this goes back to the 1970s.
In the seventies, cycling was not as big as it is nowadays. Most of the people preferred to take their cars which unfortunately led to many accidents. Both children and adults lost their lives when they were hit by a car.
Protesters began demanding more space for cycling to make it safe. They were heard, resulting in more than 35,000 kilometers (21,748 miles) of bike lanes across the country. Combine that with the fact that there are hardly any hills in the Netherlands, which means you don't have to be a complete exercise in getting somewhere.
Cycling has become a fairly inexpensive, safe and easy way to get around. This is why you can't leave home in the Netherlands without seeing some cyclists.
Is it safe to ride a bike in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world to ride a bike, with just 3.8 road deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
By comparison, the USA has 12.4 road deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, which is more than three times the Dutch deaths. This is partly due to the infrastructure.
Unlike American infrastructure, the roads in the Netherlands are adapted in such a way that cyclists and motorists are kept as separated from each other as possible. There are many bike lanes to prevent accidents.
Bike lanes you'll find just about anywhere, from big cities to rural areas of the country. These bike lanes are often wide enough for cyclists to pass each other safely.
In more densely populated areas, bike lanes often have their own traffic lights, roundabouts, and tunnels. Because of the clear rules and the separation of cars, the chances of serious accidents are minimal.
There are some rules about cycling in the Netherlands that contribute to safety. For example, Dutch law states that you are prohibited from using your phone while riding a bike.
This contributes to the safety of yourself and others, as the phone can be a distraction. Another rule of thumb is that bikes must have lights that turn on during the night, both at the front and at the back.
You see, the Netherlands is doing a lot to make cycling as safe as possible. You will be surprised when I tell you that wearing a bike helmet is not mandatory in the Netherlands, unlike in many other countries.
Although it would be very strange for many Dutch people to suddenly put on a bicycle helmet, it will probably make cycling much safer than it already is.
Is cycling popular in the Netherlands?
Just like cycling to and from work, cycling as a sport has some fans in the Netherlands as well. About 5 to 6 percent of the Dutch population play the sport, and they go on tour at least a dozen times a year. They do it either with friends or family, but some of them also join the club.
When it comes to the pros, the Netherlands isn't far behind either. We even have some big names who have won important competitions in cycling.
Old legends like Joop Zoetemelk and Jan Raas en Leontien van Moorsel are all Dutch, but the generation that followed wasn't bad either. Tom Dumoulin was the first Dutchman to win the Giro d'Italia in 2017, and Animek van Vleuten became world time trial champion just over two years ago.
Can tourists ride bicycles in the Netherlands?
It is quite possible for tourists to cycle around in the Netherlands. It shouldn't be difficult to rent a bike, especially in big cities.
In fact, I would recommend renting a bike while visiting Holland as it takes you to places in a fast and safe way. If you've never ridden a bike before, it may be a good idea to practice on a quieter road first.
It is also important to note that when renting a bike, you should not forget about the lock. If you are going to park it quickly and abandon your bike, it is very important to make sure it is not stolen. Unfortunately, the rate of bikes stolen in the Netherlands is very high.
While you can use the bike simply as a means of travel, it can also be ridden for fun. There are plenty of pre-set cycling routes in the Netherlands.
There are some long routes that I don't recommend for beginning cyclists. Fortunately, there are also some rendezvous methods that have specific signs.
If you like to cycle while viewing some of the typical Dutch landscapes, a themed trail might be the best option. Themed tracks have hex tags. An example of a themed trail is the Windmill Road, which leads cyclists to see a number of beautiful Dutch windmills.
This is why cycling is one of the best ways to travel in the Netherlands for tourists.
How do Dutch children learn to ride a bike?
For Dutch children, many primary schools take part in a test specifically designed to help children learn how to navigate traffic safely. This test consists of a theoretical part and a practical part.
Before children are allowed to participate in the exam, they need to prove that their cycling skills are sufficient. A small path is set up so that the teacher can see if he qualifies for the test or not.
Most children learn how to ride a bike at an early age from their parents or grandparents. They start with training wheels. When the child gets acquainted with the bike, the training wheels kick off. Then they practice a lot in a safe environment completely free of other traffic, so they don't roll over anymore.
The theoretical part of the test is mainly about general rules in traffic, but it also delves into less known or even illegal situations. Children should know what they are supposed to do in the many situations that occur in everyday life. They are taught to be aware of other people breaking the rules or making a mistake, while also learning how to keep themselves safe.
The practical part of the exam takes place in the normal situation, just like the driving tests. Kids take a designated route on their bikes, showing the coach that they know how to do it safely. During the way, they will pass six jobs where they have to show a certain skill. When a child crosses a red light or makes a serious mistake, he fails the exam.
Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands - cycling for kids
conclusion
We hope this blog answered all your questions regarding the popularity of cycling in the Netherlands. The unique infrastructure based on cyclists is one of the main reasons why the Dutch use their bikes safely at work. On top of that, the Netherlands is very flat, which makes riding a bike very easy. Cycling is a fun activity and definitely something to do when you want to get a full look at Dutch culture.
