Insider Tips: what we can learn from Dutch biking culture

Insider Tips: what we can learn from Dutch biking culture - Have you ever cycled through the rain and wind with an umbrella in one hand while steering with the other on your way to work? For most people around the world, the answer would be a definite no. However, there is one country where the population seems to learn to bike before they can crawl. Discover all there is to know about the convenient, sustainable form of transportation in the Netherlands, and what the rest of the world can learn from it.

1 / 50 Fotos

Invention -

While the Dutch have embraced bicycles like no other place in the world, they did not invent them.

2 / 50 Fotos

Karl Drais - In fact it was German Karl Drais who was responsible for the ingenious invention of so called "two-wheelers." His creation was made around 1817. The French and possibly the Scottish contributed to his design.

3 / 50 Fotos

Bikes for everyone -

The Netherlands has more bicycles than people. In 2015 there were 22.5 million bikes in circulation, and only 16.9 million people.

4 / 50 Fotos

Ratio -

This means there is an average of 1.3 bikes per person. It's not possible to ascertain the exact number of bikes because they're not required to be registered.

5 / 50 Fotos

9 billion miles -

The Dutch population covers more than 9 billion miles per year on their bicycles, or 15 billion kilometers.

6 / 50 Fotos

Rides -

On average they go on 200 to 300 rides per year.

7 / 50 Fotos

One quarter - Each person bicycles approximately 550 miles per year. This amounts to roughly one quarter of the total distance they travel throughout the year. Just think of all the emissions that are avoided!

8 / 50 Fotos

Speed -

On average, people are going nearly 10 mph on their bicycles.

9 / 50 Fotos

Convenience or safety? - Many Dutch people use their bikes without protective gear. The downside is that it's less safe, but some research has shown that cycling is actually safer than walking.

10 / 50 Fotos

Risky behavior - Research has also shown that people who wear protective gear are more likely to take dangerous risks. However, no matter how more or less safe it is, there's no doubt that the lack of equipment makes it more convenient for Dutch people to take a quick ride.

11 / 50 Fotos

Vintage -

The Dutch prefer practicality over style, which means no one will judge you for riding a rusty old bike. Longevity is encouraged because it's more sustainable.

12 / 50 Fotos

Lanes -

To encourage an active biking culture, special infrastructure is required. The Netherlands understands this and offers over 21,000 miles of biking lanes. Not bad for such a tiny country!

13 / 50 Fotos

Foresight - Biking lanes are never an afterthought in the Netherlands. Whenever infrastructure is planned, the necessary provisions for cyclists are included.

14 / 50 Fotos

Long distance transportation - Bikes aren't just used for short rides or recreation in the Netherlands. They're a legitimate mode of transportation for covering long distances too.

15 / 50 Fotos

Work commute - Twenty-five percent of Dutch people go to work using their bicycle. It's not only a great way to reduce emissions, but it also keeps them in shape.

16 / 50 Fotos

Relaxation -

Considering how much Dutch people use bicycles in their daily lives, you might think they'd grow tired of them. This is certainly not the case, as more than half of the population (52%) occasionally cycles into nature for at least one hour as a recreational activity.

17 / 50 Fotos

Happiness - Research shows that cycling can be the key to happiness. The combination of fresh air and freedom of movement are an effective way to inspire positive vibes.

18 / 50 Fotos

Dutch snacks - Have you ever wondered how Dutch people manage to eat so many fatty snacks while still keeping fit? By riding a bike to buy a snack, they lose most of the gained calories on their way there and back.

19 / 50 Fotos

Peddling for health - Even occasional short bike rides are beneficial for your immune system and heart.

20 / 50 Fotos

Locking etiquette - Most Dutch people know that merely locking a wheel to a bike rack is inadequate, as thieves will detach the wheel from the bike. Always lock the main frame instead.

21 / 50 Fotos

Common occurrence - Having your bike stolen in the Netherlands is so common that most people don't even bother to report it. It is estimated that only about 30% of people in Amsterdam contact the police when their bike goes missing.

22 / 50 Fotos

Counter actions - With half a million bikes stolen per year, the Dutch resorted to clever methods to reduce this number. By placing attractive bikes with trackers, they can find and arrest bike thieves.

23 / 50 Fotos

Government fine - If your bike goes missing after you placed it in an unsuitable location, there's a good chance local authorities have removed it. It can be retrieved by paying a fine.

24 / 50 Fotos

Sunken treasure -

The canals of Amsterdam are full of bicycles that are either thrown in or accidentally dropped in. Cleaning crews retrieve 15,000 bicycles per year from the canals.

25 / 50 Fotos

Amsterdam Central Station - To get a good look at the insane amount of bikes there are in Amsterdam, one need not look further than the central train station. The specialized parking space on location is home to thousands of bikes.

26 / 50 Fotos

Bicycle mayor - How do you ensure that cyclists are represented and listened to? Amsterdam has appointed a biking mayor to deal with this very problem.

27 / 50 Fotos

Junior mayor - To ensure that young cyclists aren't left out of the equation and to encourage children to use a bicycle, a junior bicycle mayor was appointed as well.

28 / 50 Fotos

Youth - Bicycles are most commonly used by youth. People who spend the most time on their bikes are between the ages of 12 and 16.

29 / 50 Fotos

Exams - To ensure that Dutch children know how to get around without breaking any traffic laws, it's common for them to take a biking exam during elementary school. Police officers may lend a hand in giving instructions.

30 / 50 Fotos

Teach them early - Dutch children are taught very early how to cycle. They may start on a bike with training wheels so they don't fall over. They usually learn to ride a bike between the ages of four and seven.

31 / 50 Fotos

Always prepared - There are repair shops in practically every populated town and city. Most Dutch families even own their own repair kit and air pump to take care of simple repairs.

32 / 50 Fotos

Multitasking - The Dutch are incredibly savvy with their bikes. They can drink, eat, and text on their bike and do so very commonly. However, it remains dangerous to ride a bike while distracted and should be avoided.

33 / 50 Fotos

Flying Dutchman - Dutch people are often able to take both hands off the handlebar. This move is often practiced from a young age, but only on empty lanes where they're less likely to get into an accident.

34 / 50 Fotos

Einstein - Einstein said it best: "Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."

35 / 50 Fotos

Feminism - Did you know that cycling has a feminist history? The widespread availability of bicycles made it possible for women to travel longer distances without depending on men.

36 / 50 Fotos

Revolutionary fashion - The desire to peddle around even had an impact on women's fashion. Their huge dresses made it difficult to cycle, which prompted them to wear more practical clothing.

37 / 50 Fotos

Equalizing force - To this day, bikes remain an equalizing force and allow those with less financial means to remain mobile without needing a car and gas.

38 / 50 Fotos

Rich and poor - While bikes can be ideal for the less fortunate, wealthy Dutch businessman as well as politicians still frequently use their bicycles.

39 / 50 Fotos

Community - People from all walks of life in the Netherlands will agree that bikes are simply a must-have in life.

40 / 50 Fotos

Hop on - Dutch bikes often have a cargo rack on the back. This is commonly used to transport friends, who can simply hop on the back.

41 / 50 Fotos

Grandma bike -

The most traditional bike of the Netherlands is likely the "grandma bike," or "omafiets" in Dutch. It's a basic, accessible, and versatile bike that's perfect for getting around and carrying groceries.

42 / 50 Fotos

Tandem - The tandem bicycle is alive and well in the Netherlands and elsewhere. It's especially popular among adventurous lovebirds.

43 / 50 Fotos

Penny-farthing - The classic penny-farthing has become very uncommon, but enthusiasts still collect them.

44 / 50 Fotos

Rise of the e-bike -

In recent years, e-bike sales are going up. These can be especially useful when covering long distances, riding in the wind, or going uphill.

45 / 50 Fotos

Foldable - Bicycles can be combined with public transportation such as trains and buses. Folding bikes are especially useful for these types of commutes.

46 / 50 Fotos

Public bikes - While virtually everyone has a bike in the Netherlands, there are still sharing services for those who don't. They also come in handy when your bike is being repaired.

47 / 50 Fotos

Cargo bike - Cargo bikes are regularly used by the Dutch to transport goods.

48 / 50 Fotos

Precious cargo - This includes their most precious cargo of all: children.

49 / 50 Fotos

Denmark -

The Netherlands takes the throne, but it is by no means the only country that understands the value of bicycles. Nearly 20% of Denmark, for example, uses a bicycle to get around.

50 / 50 Fotos

Insider Tips: what we can learn from Dutch biking culture

A class in bicycles from the masters

11/29/18 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Bicycle

Have you ever cycled through the rain and wind with an umbrella in one hand while steering with the other on your way to work? For most people around the world, the answer would be a definite no. However, there is one country where the population seems to learn to bike before they can crawl. Discover all there is to know about the convenient, sustainable form of transportation in the Netherlands, and what the rest of the world can learn from it.