If you're new to biking in the Netherlands, it might be handy to know the unwritten rules. We'll give you a hand with the Dutch cycling culture and how cycling in the Netherlands works.

Maybe it sounds a little scary: getting to work or school by bike. But in most cities, cycling is by far the fastest way to travel. Besides that, you get some exercise and fresh air, it's an eco-friendly transportation option, you avoid other car-related expenses, it reduces your stress level, and you get to know your neighborhood at a slower pace. If you don't have a headwind, all these benefits should not be too much of a burden to take the bike. Am I right? 

In fact, in the Netherlands, it's taken for granted that you can ride a bike. Dutch children are even required to take a bicycle exam in the last year of their elementary school. Because their secondary school is often only accessible by bicycle, they are tested on all the signs and rules for cyclists. However, not all cycling rules and habits are official cycling rules.

Dutch road etiquette

If you're new to the Netherlands, you may be amazed by the cyclists here. Bike jams at traffic lights are not uncommon and hardly anyone, including children, wears a helmet. Expat Xing Chen even wrote a whole book about it: Learn to Cycle in Amsterdam. Because trust us, being able to ride a bike is different from riding a bike in a crowded city.

Anticipating the behavior of other cyclists partly begins with your own bicycle behavior. Let's dive deeper into Dutch road etiquette: 

• To be honest: wearing a helmet reveals that you're a tourist. Are you new to cycling? Better safe than sorry, of course!
• Cycling across a (weekly) market? Don't do it. Get off your bike and walk with your bike in your hand.  
• You have bikes for men (with bar) and women (without bar). Tip: get yourself a women's bike. Getting on and off is much easier without a bar.
• If you're ready for it, keep the pace up a bit. Being continually passed is a mood-breaker.
• Suddenly braking for no reason will not be appreciated.
• Don't creep ahead because you think you can still make it, it's dangerous.
• Biking with an umbrella is not recommended, as the wind knocks it over in just a few seconds and it's not very safe.
• In the Netherlands, you may carry almost everything on your luggage rack or in cycle bags. Always make sure other cyclists can still pass you.
• You won't often hear about someone whose bike has not been stolen. Secure your bike properly by locking your frame with an extra chain lock to an immovable object. Tip: check if you are insured against bicycle theft. Read more about preventing bike theft here.
• Transporting your bike on the train? You can take it with you only during off-peak hours (Monday to Friday between 9:00-16:00 and 18:30-6:30 and on weekends all day). A Fietskaart Dal (Off-peak bicycle ticket) costs € 7.50 and can be purchased in the NS app, on ns.nl, and from an NS ticket machine. Folding bikes are free of charge. Check more info on the website of NS.