It's safe to say that cycling is one of the most popular modes of transport in The Netherlands. Of course there's the car and the train, but cycling is easy and fun and preferred by most! There are plenty of reasons as to why cycling is so popular in The Netherlands. It is generally a very cherished part of life, especially for the Dutch! Kids have been cycling since birth on a bike called bakfiets which literally translates into ´box bike´, a cargo bike that the Dutch use to carry almost anything, even children. To keep the reasons coming, traffic rules are super bike-friendly and there has been a conscious effort to make cities bike friendly. Not to mention, The Netherlands is one of the safest countries to cycle in and there are even solar bike paths that generate electricity!
How Much Do Bikes Cost in The Netherlands?
Bicycles can vary in price of course, and it also depends on whether you are renting a bike or buying one! Bikes tend to get stolen quite often, that is just a matter of Dutch life, so plenty of people, specially students, prefer to rent their bikes in case it does get stolen. However, if you are looking to buy a bike, there are plenty of shops that sell used bikes for upwards of €100 - but more likely to come up to the €120 - €250 mark.
If you are looking to buy a brand-new bike, of course, the price will vary depending on the brand you are looking at. Very popular brands in The Netherlands are VanMoof and Veloretti bikes, but those tend to be very pricey, and if you aren't looking to stay here for a long time, buying a used bike or renting one is definitely the best option for you.
Best Places to Buy Or Rent A Bike
Some of the best places to buy bikes are at used bike shops or online Facebook groups. Getting a bike online can sound sketchy, but we are here to guide you to websites that you can trust! There are various Facebook groups in which people buy and sell second hand bikes. Bike marketplace is one of the larger groups that sells used bikes. There is also Bike-second hand bikes, which is a smaller yet just as effective Facebook group! If you do not want to use Facebook to buy your bike, then worry not because there are also online shops! Marktplaats is a great online shopping experience and can sell almost anything you are looking for. You can also go to various markets in Amsterdam, such as Albert Cuypmarkt or the Waterlooplein flea market!
If you are only looking to rent a bike for an extended period of time, then Swapfiets is your place to go! At Swapfiets you pay an affordable monthly set price, and you are free to cycle with a good quality bike! The best part about Swapfiets is that if you get your bike stolen (which is a very likely occurrence), you just go to the shop, pay a very small fee, and your new bike will be set up and ready for you to use!
Rules And Laws For Cycling in The Netherlands
- In July 2019 the Dutch government ruled that you are no longer allowed to hold a phone or any other electronic device in your hand while riding a bike.
- Two cyclists are allowed to ride next to each other, but no more than that. It was ruled that if you are riding side by side, and it hinders traffic, then you must bike single file.
- Cyclists are allowed to turn right at a red traffic light if there is a sign that reads ´rechtstaf voor fietser vrij´ (cyclists free to turn right).
- Bikes can be parked on the pavement unless there is a sign that says otherwise.
- Cyclists are only allowed to transport children under eights years old if they are in a safe seat
- Cyclists must pass each other on the left and other vehicles on the right
- Cyclists must have a working light in the front and back of their bike if they are cycling at night
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is The Netherlands so good at cycling?
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Are bikes popular in The Netherlands?
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How many bikes are in The Netherlands?
In order to make cycling generally safer and more enjoyable, the Dutch managed to build a huge network of cycling paths throughout all the cities in The Netherlands! These paths are very clearly marked, they are all very smooth, and there are even separate lights and signs for cyclers!
The Dutch basically come out of the womb knowing how to cycle - so it is safe to say that bikes are very popular in The Netherlands! The Netherlands has a growing population of 17 million people and all together, the Dutch have 22.5 million bicycles. This means that the Dutch have 1.3 bicycles per capita, which is more than any other country in the world! And keep in mind that The Netherlands is a relatively small country.
As of 2019, it was estimated that there were approximately 22.9 million bicycles in The Netherlands!