Netherlands - Almere: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?

Before World War II, journeys in the Netherlands were predominantly made by bike, but in the 1950s and 1960s, as car ownership rocketed, this changed. As in many countries in Europe, roads became increasingly congested and cyclists were squeezed to the kerb.

The jump in car numbers caused a huge rise in the number of deaths on the roads. In 1971 more than 3,000 people were killed by motor vehicles, 450 of them children.

In response a social movement demanding safer cycling conditions for children was formed. Called Stop de Kindermoord (Stop the Child Murder), it took its name from the headline of an article written by journalist Vic Langenhoff whose own child had been killed in a road accident.

To make cycling safer and more inviting the Dutch have built a vast network of cycle paths.
These are clearly marked, have smooth surfaces, separate signs and lights for those on two wheels, and wide enough to allow side-by-side cycling and overtaking.

In many cities Almere in the modern Province of Flevoland the paths are completely segregated from motorised traffic. Sometimes, where space is scant and both must share, you can see signs showing an image of a cyclist with a car behind accompanied by the words 'Bike Street: Cars are guests'.
At roundabouts, too, it is those using pedal power who have priority.

You can cycle around a roundabout while cars (almost always) wait patiently for you to pass. The idea that "the bike is right" is such an alien concept for tourists on bikes that many often find it difficult to navigate roads and junctions at first.

Read more: BBC News - Why is cycling so popular in the Nethe

Tourism: Biking: Almere: No better place in the Netherlands for a biking vacation

Almere is not only the newest and most modern city in Europel but probably also the best area for biking with its hundreds of km's of safe biking trails.

Biking in the serenity of Almere nature

The city is also competing for the national  title of bike city of the Netherlands for 2014

One of the curious facts of the Netherlands is that nearly 85 percent of the population own at least one bicycle. They use it regularly, often daily. 

Today there are about 17.5 million bicycles in Holland, slightly more than one for every inhabitant. About 1.4 million new bicycles are sold every year. 

Convenience is probably one of the main reasons for the Dutch to cycle as much as they do. They take their bike to go shopping because it is easier, faster and more convenient than taking the car or another mode of transport. In order to get cycling this convenient you need good infrastructure, safe streets and a place to park your bicycle at the grocery store or any other end-destination. In the Netherlands 27 % of all trips are taken by bike. Bike paths are everywhere. In a way they are like bike highways, with their own bridges, tunnels and throu

Obviously to accomplish this you need to have a bike-friendly infrastructure and local municipality ordinances which support it. The Netherlands certainly meets that criteria and the results are obvious. 

By Dutch law, bicycles must have white front and red rear lights which must be in working order at night, and fines are payable for those who fail to observe this. Cyclists are generally required to observe the same road rules as motor vehicle users, unless there is a road sign indicating otherwise.Helmets are not required by law but recommended. 

To the Dutch there’s nothing more natural than cycling with their children. Manufacturers of Dutch baby front bike seats tell their customers they can be used from the time a baby is 6 to 9 months old, or, more accurately, when a baby is able to sit upright on its own.  Some experts say that in their eyes the time a baby is one year old is a safer starting point. But in the Netherlands much younger babies are already transported on bicycles. 

For older, school going kids there now are even apps with safe biking routes to their schools.

Recently the US government adopted Dutch-style cycling as a real American transport and health choice

The rise of the electric bike set last year continued in the Netherlands. An increase of 30 percent is expected for 2009 with more than 150,000 e-bikes. The electric bike presently has a market share of 10 percent, with an average selling price of around euro 1900 good for 25% of the total bicycle sales revenues. 
  
Obviously with the rise of the electric bike also comes the loss of health benefits achieved by "human powered" biking. Fortunately studies in the Netherlands also showed that electric bikes are mainly bought by people with health problems who still want the benefit of the fresh air associated with biking in the open air.

The generally flat Dutch terrain combined with 20,000 km of "fietspaden" bicycle paths makes cycling in the Netherlands an extraordinarily pleasant activity, and one not exclusively for the very fit or sporty. 

Safely biking everywhere in and around Almere

If you can't bring your own bike you will find them for rent near, or just about at every train station. To do an advance bike rental booking just check out the Internet. Mind you those will be more expensive than the bike rentals at the train stations. Prices vary from euro 7.00 to euro 20.00 a day depending from whom you rent your bike.

If you know how to bike and want a healthy interesting vacation Holland is your country and Almere the place to go. 

EU-Digest