If you live in the Netherlands then one thing that you are going to quickly need to learn to love is cycling. For many Dutch people their two wheels is the “only” want to get away and aside from seeing their time cycling simply as a way to get around, they take great enjoyment in being able to get around under their own steam.
Compared to this, here in the UK, we don’t seem to be quite as ready and prepared for getting our helmets on and, well, getting on our bikes. So, to help you to acclimatise to life in this brand-new country, lets take a look at our expat guide to cycling in the Netherlands. If you need any assistance with removals to the Netherlands, you can always contact our team today.
1. So, why do I need to get used to cycling?
Let's start at the very beginning and why it is important to think about cycling when considering a move to the Netherlands. The first thing to think about is that cycling is something that those who live in the country do every single day. In fact, to them, it is just as normal as it may be for other people to grab their car keys to leave the house.
Children are encouraged to ride a bike from a very young age and they then use this skill to get around, to socialise and to see everything that the country has to offer too.
To look at it in a statistical way, the average number of kilometres that a Dutch person will cycle each year is around 1,094; and there are plenty of people, those who live in the cities and bigger towns for instance, who will probably see this as a small number and instead will choose to use their cycle over any other form of transport.
Another interesting statistic is that on average, the Dutch, as people own around 1.3 bikes. Of course, this doesn't mean that they own a third of a bike, floating around in storage, but instead that they will own more than one bike.
They may have a racing cycle as well as perhaps a road bike. They may even decide to own an e-bike. Let’s just say that they want to make sure that they have an option for every occasion.
2. Why is it so popular?
Another question that is often asked of people who choose to cycle in the Netherlands is why? The answer to this is that they love the feeling of freedom that cycling brings. It allows them to get out there and to explore and really see the world around them and with a country as beautiful as the Netherlands, it makes sense that they are going to want to soak up as much as possible.
As well as this, the country is pretty much made for cycling to be the main way to get around. There is a vast cycling infrastructure, one that is recognised as being amongst the best in the world. If you decide to live in a major city then you will find that there are not only wide paths that are there for bicycles to use, but they even have roads that are there for cyclists to use too.
Cycling is also a green mode of transport and as many people are concerned with their carbon footprint, it makes sense that this will be a perk of choosing to cycle for them. They also won’t have to spend time in traffic jams, which helps them to move around quickly and easily.
3. What city is best to cycle in?
Whilst the cycling options may not be the main concern for you when choosing to live in the Netherlands, there is a good chance that you are going to want to consider whether or not where you choose to live in a city that is designed for cycling.
One of the most recognised cities for cycling has to be Utrecht. In days gone by, this city was a venue for the Tour de France and whilst this is no longer the case, the city itself is still somewhere that has cycling at the heart of everything that it does.
Here the indoor cycle parking facility is the biggest in the world and can house as much a 12,500 bikes at any one time. Which means that you can safely leave your bike there should you want to carry on your journey around the city on foot.
4. It’s like riding a bike, isn't it?
We know that not everyone is going to feel that they are natural when it comes to cycling, but we believe that all you need to do is make sure that you are patient with yourself and also invest in a good quality bike that is right for you.
There is an old saying “It’s like riding a bike” and that is very true. Even if you have had a minimal level of time cycling, there is a good chance that you will very quickly feel settled and able to easily get around.
In fact, you are going to be in the perfect setting to work on those cycling skills. Not only is the country recognised as being safe for cyclists, but it is also a country that has relatively flat terrain, which means that you are going to have a much easier ride than you realise. It also boasts a mild, but not too warm climate, which means that you won’t have to worry about overheating whilst you are getting around.
You may also be inspired by others who live there, or who are simply visiting. With so many people choosing to cycle rather than drive or rely on public transport, it is only going to be a matter of time before you become one of them!
Are you looking to move your personal belongings to the Netherlands?
Cycling is not something that you have to do if you are planning on moving across Europe, but we can promise you that it is something that you will soon find that you fall in love with and will be doing more often than you ever thought possible.
As always, if you need any assistance with moving your personal belongings across Europe, you can contact us at Pinnacle Removals & Storage. Our team has years of experience in the international removals industry, and we will ensure that your belongings arrive in perfect condition.