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There's no better way to see the scenery in the Netherlands and enjoy nature. Everyone cycles: adults, children, teenagers, the elderly, students, and even professionals. Cycling is a way of life, and popular because a continuous network of cycle paths are maintained, making it convenient and easy to get around town. It's also efficient, energy saving and environmentally friendly! More than 1.3 million new bikes are sold annually from over 3,200 bike shops. So enjoy cycling, the Dutch way!
Who hasn't almost been run over by kamikazee tourists poorly navigating on two wheels?
While the phrase 'go with the flow' may be apt for the experienced 'fietser', knowing the rules of the road is a good start. Cycling is so ingrained in the Dutch culture, that children are given bike traffic lessons in grade school in order to get their 'fiets diploma' proving that they know how to be safe while cycling and follow the rules. In fact, the Dutch, undaunted by wind or weather use their bikes all year round. They love their bikes so much that May has been designated national cycling month, with lots of activities. For more see www.meimaandfietsmaand.nl.
Rules in motion
In Dutch traffic law, bicycles form a separate category, and some special regulations apply, which may be different from those for motorised traffic. In short, the traffic law distinguishes between 'slow traffic' (bicycles, mopeds) and 'fast traffic' (motorcycles and cars). Indeed, driving while under the influence will net you a hefty fine if caught 'drunk driving.'
As pedestrians and other cyclists are obviously not mind readers, do use hand signals when preparing to make a left or right turn. Simply put your arm out in the direction you want to turn. You also need to stay on the bike paths; cycling is not allowed on sidewalks or pedestrian-only areas, and certainly never on the highway. Cyclists also share the bike paths with mopeds, so keep to the right-side of the bike path so that they can pass you. They are much faster, so do keep that in mind to avoid a collision.
Assuming your ears are not filled with earpods and the sounds of music in motion, make sure you can be heard! Bikes have bells for a reason! Warn other cyclists as you approach and need to pass them and use the bell to warn pedestrians who are blocking the bike path! And speaking of blocking, it's allowed to ride alongside another cyclist, but cycling with three people wide is not permitted.
Make sure you can be seen as well, even with laws stating that cyclists must have proper lighting and reflectors on their bicycles, many people do not abide by the laws. Disregarding the law is dangerous and can result in a fine. Wearing light colours and/or a reflective vest is helpful at night. Bicycle helmets are not required, though sport cyclists always wear them.
Follow the path
The Netherlands is a small country, and flat as a pancake, which makes cycling a very practical form of transportation. Bike paths are distinguished by red tiles or pavement, sometimes with a cyclist symbol on the pavement. Follow the signs, as bike paths and bike roads are indicated by a blue circular sign with a white bicycle symbol. Some roundabouts have cyclist lanes around them, with signposts directing the cyclist to a destination. They are also marked with priority, with roads connecting the cycle ways to the roundabout, so you don't keep going round in circles... others have separate cycle paths around them.
Tunnels are common around motor-ways to avoid busy road junctions and traffic lights, although for some reason they often smell like urinals. When crossing rivers, bridges are used, but at times there are no separate bike paths and cyclists are forced alongside automobiles. So do be careful.
There are plenty of types of bikes to choose from. Stadsfietsen (city bikes) and omafietsen (grandma bikes) generally are used for every day trips, including going to school and/or work, and running errands around town, whereas a sportfiets (exercise/sport bike) is a more convenient bicycle for longer trips. A special type of ATB (all-terrain- bike) is the mountain bike, but because of its flat terrain is not often used in the Netherlands.
An electric bike offers the possibility to get electric support while cycling. Because it does not require as much strength, it is especially useful when it is very windy. In Dutch this is called "trapondersteuning," which means that you have to bike yourself, but the electric motor will support you. You can choose between bikes that offer no support, little support, average support or a lot of support. Prices range from second-hand bikes for about €75 to super-deluxe top-of-the line for a few thousand euros.
Whatever fits
The Dutch are big on transporting children by bicycle, but there are laws and safety requirements for cycling with children. Since 1990 it has been law that only children younger than eight years old can be carried on a bicycle, and they must have an effective seat with support for their hands, feet and back.
Several ways of transporting your children are: in front of you, at the back, in a bakfiets, or in a so-called fietskar.
Bakfietsen (cargo bikes) are transport bikes with three wheels and a large front bucket. It is common to see parents transporting children around in bakfietsen because the box is low to the ground making it is easier to transport more weight, so you'll see them filled with kids, dog, groceries, you name it, whatever!
You will also be amazed to see mums or dads with a kid on the front handlebars seat and one on the back of the bike, and possibly a baby in a kangaroo carrier as well. The Dutch are quite good at getting around. Women cycling in spike heels and tight dresses do so like its a breeze, same as persons moving people, goods, pets from A to Z in a variety of balancing manoeuvres.
Bicycle thefts
Even though the Netherlands is a safe country, bike theft is a big problem: Amsterdam is said to be the bike theft capital of the world. In 2006, some 760,000 bikes were reported stolen, about 5% of bicycles in the Netherlands. If people on the street ask you if you are interested in purchasing a bicycle, know that these are possibly stolen. To help prevent your bike from being stolen, park at a guarded bicycle parking lot. Make sure you have a sturdy lock for your bike, and make sure you fasten it to something stationary, like a bike rack, pole, or tree. Do not park your bike in places that have signs posted saying, 'Geen fietsen plaatsen.' (No parking of bikes). Otherwise you may find it confiscated by the police, and you'll have to pay to get it back again.
Enjoying cycling
There are plenty of routes where you can cycle. Landscape-wise some of the most interesting areas are the coastline, including the Wadden Islands, the national parks "De Hoge Veluwe" and "De Veluwezoom," as well as the hills in Limburg. However, exploring towns and villages can be fun, and suggested routes are readily available at tourist and bicycle shops. Riding a bike in the Netherlands is a good way to integrate into Dutch society, and with these tips you can be ready to join the Dutch on the bike path!
Resources/links related to cycling in the Netherlands
- www.fietsberaad.org or www.bicyclecouncil.org (center of expertise on bicycle policy in NL, a 'knowledge institute' with masses of information)
- www.nsfiets.nl (information about taking your bicycle on the Dutch trains)
- www.vvv.nl (national tourist information office, advice on cycling/walking routes)
- www.anwb.nl/fietsen (national motoring/touring organisation), info on cycling
- www.fietspad.nl (hundreds of biking routes)
- www.fietsersbond.nl (Dutch association and interest group for cyclists in NL
- www.ov-fiets.nl (for fast access, public transport bikes at some 200 user destinations; subscriptions cost €9.50 per year. Returning the bicycle, the key is scanned, and the rental price of €2.85 per 20 hours is automatically deducted)
- www.oudefiets.nl (history of the Dutch bicycle and various models)
- www.fietsen.123.nl (for enthusiasts, with routes, news, agendas, tips)
- www.holland.com, American edition www.holland.com/us (Netherlands Board of Tourism; see 'Discover Holland/Active/Cycling')
Article published in the ACCESS Autumn 2011 magazine