Cycling in the Netherlands

By Manja van KesterenPublished on Jun 3, 2017

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Cycling in the Netherlands is the most popular form of daily transport; using a bicycle for your daily needs is fun, convenient and more importantly (almost) free! With more than 25 million bicycles in the Netherlands and 1,2 million new ones sold every year, this country is considered a cyclist’s heaven.

Facts about cycling in the Netherlands

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.
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 the period from May till September.
You can purchase a new bicycle for about 250 to 500 euros or a used one for about 50 to 150 euros.

Cycling in the Netherlands

If you are a cyclist in the Netherlands, you are expected to keep your bicycle in good condition. Generally, you should stick to designated cycle lanes and avoid busy areas such as stations or squares. Also watch out for tram rails, as it's all too easy for your wheel to slip inside the groove and cause a nasty accident!

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 percent of all bicycles in the Netherlands are reported stolen every year! That's why taking out bicycle insurance is a good idea.

On top of this, you should invest in a good lock, and make sure to always lock your bike, 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.

Note that if you are cycling at night, you are required to have lights (both headlight and taillight) on your bicycle. If you are caught without lights, the police can fine you on the spot. It's also much safer.

Cyclists' rights & duties

If you are cycling in the Netherlands, make sure to follow these rules:

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 buses, trams and taxis.
Accidents are quite rare; most drivers are cyclists too.
You are obliged to use safety helmets and wear special cycling outfits only in organised racing competitions.
Towing a trailer is permitted.

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:

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 is free. It's a good idea to park your bike in an official facility, as they are usually supervised and operate CCTV. The risk of your bike getting stolen is therefore smaller. 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.

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.

It is not possible to transport bicycles on the train during rush hours (before 9am and between 4.30pm - 6pm). 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 / road / track	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