General

› Always use the bicycle lanes.
› Cycling is a mainstream mode of transport in
the Netherlands; rates of cycling do not fall
considerably with age.
› Cycling is for the Dutch a way of life; it is
distributed evenly across all income groups.
› The Netherlands’ flat terrain is ideal for average
cyclists; short-range routes do not really require
a high degree of physical fitness.
› The quality of bicycle lanes (fietspad) is very
high throughout the country.
› The best season for long-distance cycling is
from May till September.
› Rule of thumb: you can purchase a new bicycle
for about 250 - 500 euros or a second-hand for
about 50 - 150 euros.


Rights & duties

› Always use the bicycle lanes.
› 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 right of way to busses, trams and
taxis.
› Accidents are quite rare; drivers and
motorcyclists take bicycles into account. Most
of them are cyclists too.
› You are obliged to use safety helmets and
wear special cycling outfits only in organized
racing competitions.
› Towing a trailer is not forbidden.


Transportation and storage

› Bicycles can be transferred by plane as
checked luggage (20 kilos allowance).
› Bikes are not allowed on Dutch busses and
trams.
› If you want to take your bicycle in the train,
you need to buy a special ticket before boarding.
Also note that:
- There are designated places for the bicycles;
usually, at the end of the train.
- It is not possible to transport bicycles during
rush hours (before 9.00 and between
16.30-18.00). This does not apply to weekends
(Saturday and Sunday) and the summer period
(July and August).
- You do not need an extra ticket if your bicycle is packed.
› You can find bike stands to park your bicycle
all over the country.
› Most (indoor) bicycle parking lots can hold
thousands of bicycles; the new Leiden central
station has a capacity of more than 7.000
bicycles!

Bike rentals

Amsterdam

› Mac Bike
› Yellow Bike
› Orange Bike
› WorkCycles
› Bike City
› Damstraat rent a bike
› Star Bikes
› AmsterBike
› DutchBike Amsterdam


Other cities

› Rent a bike the Hague
› Rijwiel Shop (Hague)
› Fiets Point Rotterdam
› Rotterdam ByCycle
› Orange Bike Maastricht


Remember

› You are expected to keep your bicycle in
good condition. However, note that a fancy
bicycle will definitely increase the possibility
of theft.
› Do not cycle in busy areas such as
stations, squares etc.
› Watch out your wheels not to get stuck in
tram rails.
› If your bicycle gets stolen, police will
probable do nothing about it. Around 5% of
all bicycles in the Netherlands are reported
stolen every year!
› Petty crime in the Netherlands is based on
bike theft. Ride it or lock it:
- with both an ordinary and a u-shaped lock
(factory-installed lock that passes through
the rear spokes)
- always to something immovable and solid
(e.g. tree, fence, pole)
- if possible to a bike stand or at a bicycle
parking lot
› Placing lights (both headlight and tail-light)
on your bicycle is always a wise move. They
are cheap, you will not have to worry about
police tickets and you lower the possibility of
a car accident during night.
› Multiple riders on one bike is not an
unusual phenomenon.


Useful links
› The Dutch National Cycling Platform
(Stichting Landelijk Fietsplatform) foundation
› FIETS BERAAD is the centre of expertise on
bicycle policy.
› The European Cyclists Federation
› You can download the “Cycling in the
Netherlands” brochure by the Ministry of
Transport, Public Works and Water Management
here.
› Online bicycle route planner (in Dutch)
› Vrienden op de Fiets is a widespread network
of people offering B&Bs for fellow cyclists and
hikers only.
› Travel to the Horizon is a 100% non
commercial website dedicated to traveling by
bicycle.
› To create a tailor-made packing list for cycling
trips click here.
› Cycletours Holidays offers 200 different
vacations in 35 countries.
› The basic parts of a bicycle in 14 languages
can be found here.


Related article
› Mad about bikes