Cycling in the Netherlands

Cycling is the most popular form of daily transport in the Netherlands; using a bicycle for your daily needs is fun, convenient and more importantly (almost) free! With more than 23 million bicycles in the Netherlands and 1,2 million new ones sold every year, this country is considered a cyclist’s heaven. Here's what you need to know about cycling in the Netherlands.

Cycling in the Netherlands

Cycling isn't just a mode of transport in the Netherlands; it's a way of life. Almost everyone does it. The Netherlands is a small country with compact cities, so travelling by bike is really the most convenient way of getting around: no traffic, no worrying about where to park.

The Netherlands' flat terrain makes it ideal for cyclists; short-distance routes do not really require a high degree of physical fitness.

Cycle infrastructure

The ease of cycling in the Netherlands is facilitated by the country's safe and comfortable cycling infrastructure. 

The country is criss-crossed with tens of thousands of kilometres of cycle paths (fietspad), which go between major cities and inside the cities themselves. A growing number of towns and cities also have bike-only roads reserved solely for cyclists. 

Facts about cycling in the Netherlands

Here are some fun facts about cycling in the Netherlands:

• The average Dutch person cycles 1.094 kilometres per year
• The Netherlands has 37.000 kilometres of cycle paths
• There are nearly 23 million bikes in the Netherlands for 18 million residents!
• The biggest bike parking facility is in Utrecht, with space for 12.500 bicycles
• Cycling for the Dutch is a way of life; it is distributed evenly across all income groups
• Rates of cycling do not fall considerably with age

Sourcing a bicycle

Ready to get on two wheels like the Dutchies? Here's how to get hold of a bike in the Netherlands:

Buying a bike

If you're going to be in the Netherlands long-term, it's probably worth buying your own bicycle. There's a fairly good circular economy of used bicycles, so you shouldn't have a problem selling your bike again should you ever move away.

Most Dutch towns and cities have at least a handful of bike shops where you can browse and try out different models, from an omafiets (grandma bicycle) to a bakfiets (cargo bicycle). You can also browse online: places like Marktplaats and Facebook always have options up for sale - just be suspicious of anything that is too cheap. 

You can expect to pay anything from €50 to €250 for a second-hand bike, and upwards of €250 for a brand-new one. 

Having a fancy bicycle will definitely increase the possibility of theft. Unfortunately, if your bicycle gets stolen, the police will probably do nothing about it. Around 5% of all bicycles in the Netherlands are reported stolen every year! That's why taking out bicycle insurance is a good idea - see below. 

Renting a bicycle

If you don't fancy buying your own bike, you can always rent one. There are plenty of places in the Netherlands that rent bikes long-term. The benefit of this system is that repairs and thefts are generally covered by the scheme, so you can get your bike fixed or replaced without having to pay too much. Check with your provider to be sure. 

Here is a selection of bike rentals in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities:

• Swapfiets (21 Dutch cities, including Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht)
• BikeFlip (rental and subscriptions for children in multiple Dutch cities)
• Rent a road bike (20 Dutch cities)
• Mac Bike (Amsterdam)
• Yellow Bike (Amsterdam)
• A-bike (Amsterdam)
• Bike City (Amsterdam)
• Damstraat rent a bike (Amsterdam)
• BinkBikes (The Hague)

Taking care of your bike

If you are a cyclist in the Netherlands, you are expected to keep your bicycle in good condition. Almost all towns and cities will have a cycle repair shop where you can go for punctures and other problems. It's also a good idea to have your bike serviced once a year. 

NS operates Fiets & Service shops at train stations across the country. You take your bike in before 10am and it should be ready for you by 4pm the same day. Prices are also fixed, so you don't get any nasty surprises. 

Bike parking facilities

Most (major) train stations in the Netherlands will have official bike parking facilities, operated by NS. You simply tap in and out with your OV-chipkaart to use the facility. The first 24 hours are free. It's a good idea to park your bike in an official facility, as they are usually supervised and have CCTV, meaning your bike is less likely to get stolen. Most (indoor) bicycle parking lots can hold thousands of bicycles.

If you park your bike in an unofficial spot (especially in the busy areas around train stations), there is a chance that it will get cleared away by the municipality. If this happens, don't panic! You can visit the website of your local municipality to view photos of bikes that have been removed. You can usually be reunited with your bike in exchange for a fee. 

Locking up your bike

You should invest in a good lock for your bike, and make sure to always use it, even if you're just stopping for a few minutes. You should use both an ordinary and a U-shaped lock (slot, a factory-installed lock that passes through the rear spokes).

On top of this, always attach your bike to something immovable and solid such as a tree, fence or pole.

Bicycle insurance

Bicycle theft is a big problem in the Netherlands so be prepared! The following insurance companies all offer bicycle insurance in the Netherlands: 

• Centraal Beheer
• Univé
• Laka

Cycle safety in the Netherlands

Cycling is very safe in the Netherlands, especially compared to some other countries around the world, but it's still worth keeping the following safety tips in mind: 

• Always use the bicycle lanes
• Never cycle over tram lines, as your bike wheels could slip inside the grooves
• Follow the same rules as motor vehicle drivers and adhere to traffic lights and signs
• Signal by putting out your arm when you change direction
• Always give way to buses, trams and taxis
• Use bike lights (both headlight and taillight) when cycling at night - otherwise you risk a fine from the police

Wearing a safety helmet is not common in the Netherlands - and indeed is not obligatory - but accidents do happen, so it's worth considering. 

Bicycle transportation 

It is possible to take a bike with you on an NS train, but only during off-peak hours. Make sure you remember to purchase a separate ticket for your bike and stow it in a designated bike storage space. You do not need an extra train ticket if your bicycle is packed or folded and measures less than 45 x 86 x 80 centimetres. 

It is not possible to transport bicycles on the train during peak hours (between 6.30am and 9am, and between 4pm and 6.30pm). This does not apply to weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and the summer period (July and August). Bikes are not allowed on buses and trams.

Bicycles can be transferred by plane as checked luggage (20 kilograms allowance).

English to Dutch cycling dictionary

Here's an English to Dutch cycling dictionary with some of the most common words and terms:

English term	Dutch term	English term	Dutch term
Adjust	Afstellen	Lights/lighting	Licht/verlichting
Attention/caution	Attentie/pas op	Luggage carrier	Bagagedrager
Axle	As	Maintenance	Onderhoud
Barrier	Barriere/slagboom	Mountain bike	Mountainbike
Bell	Fietsbel/bel	Mudguard/fender	Spatbord
Bicycle/bike/pushbike	Fiets/rijwiel	Narrow	Nauw/smal
Bicycle dealer	Fietsenwinkel	Nearby	Vlakbij
Bicycle repairer	Fietsenmaker	Nut	Moer
Border	Grens	Compulsory	Verplicht
Brake	Rem	Oil	Olie
Brake cables	Remkabels	One-way	Eenrichting
Broken	Kapot	One-way traffic	Eenrichtingsverkeer
Bridge	Brug	Parking facility	(Fietsen)stalling/rijwielstalling
Chain/link	Ketting	Pedal	Pedaal/trapper
Crank	Crank	Police	Politie
Crank axle	Trapas	Pressure	Druk
Crossroad	Kruispunt	Pump	Pomp
Cycling	Fietsen	Railway	Spoorlijn
Cyclist	Fietser	Rear light	Achterlicht
Cycle path	Fietspad	Rim	Velg
Dangerous	Gevaarlijk	Road sign	Verkeersbord
Dead-end/closed	Doodlopend/afgesloten	Roadworks	Wegwerkzaamheden
Direction	Richting	Roundabout	Rotonde
Distance/length	Afstand/lengte	Saddle	Zadel
Dynamo	Dynamo	Screw	Schroef
Fine (by police)	Boete	Screwdriver	Schoevendraaier
Flat tyre	Lekke band	Sign	Bordje
Forbidden	Verboden	Slippery	Glad
Forest	Bos	Speedometer	Kilometerteller
Fork	Voorvork	Spokes	Spaken
Frame	Frame	Street	Straat
Front light	Voorlicht	Toll	Tol
Gear	Versnelling	Traffic jam	File
Gear level	Versnellingshendel	Traffic light	Verkeerslicht/stoplicht
Grease	Vet	Tire	Buitenband
Handlebars	Stuur	Tube	Binnenband
Handlegrips	Handvatten	Valve	Ventiel
Headlight/front light	Koplamp	Velocity	Snelheid
Highway	Snelweg	Wheel	Wiel
Hub	Naaf	Wrench	Sleutel