We all know the Dutch love cycling, but it has now reached a new level. Data from Dutch mobility associations RAI and BOVAG has revealed that people in the Netherlands are using their bicycles even more often compared to 10 years ago.
Since 2010, the number of bicycles in the Netherlands has gone up from 22,3 million to 24,1 million in 2023. Not only are there more bikes than the population of around 18 million people, but residents are also using bicycles more often than other modes of transport. This is most likely due to the growing costs of driving and using public transport.
According to RAI, everyone living in the country cycled a total of 19,1 billion kilometres - an average of 1.065 kilometres per person. This is over 100 kilometres more than the 902 kilometres which each resident cycled on the roads in 2010.
The mobility associations attribute the increasing number of kilometres travelled by cyclists to the growing popularity of electric bicycles. E-bikes can be used to cover longer distances and can more easily be used by pensioners and children who cycle to school.
In fact, 56 percent of the 804.101 bicycles that were purchased last year were e-bikes. Despite the rising prices at around 1.815 euros a piece, the strong demand for e-bikes meant more were sold. The Netherlands is leading the pack when it comes to international use of e-bikes, topping the European sales rankings with both Germany and France.
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