Riding a bicycle in the Netherlands is one of THE main reasons why people are so happy here. But there are some rules you need to get used to.
Before moving to the Netherlands, many of us lived in a place with no biking infrastructure (or at least, one that cannot be compared to the Netherlands’).
Riding a bicycle to work was basically asking for a shorter life, and being stuck in traffic in a car was as common as breathing.
But hooray! Once you move to the Netherlands, you’re putting those days behind you, and now you can go everywhere with your trusty fiets! 🚲
And sure enough, after a while of biking, you’ll notice that there are some important do’s and don’ts of riding a bicycle in the Netherlands. 👇
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Legal requirements for riding a bicycle in the Netherlands
In a country that built its cities with bikes in mind, you won’t be surprised that the legal system has also been shaped around cycle culture. Here are some legal requirements to note to avoid getting a hefty fine.
Don’t ride under the influence (RUI)
Despite what most Dutchies (and us internationals👀) do, it actually illegal to ride your bike drunk or stoned. If caught, you can get a hefty fine. How hefty? Well, up to a whopping €140!
Riding drunk is dangerous, no matter what type of bike you’re on. So, no drinking and biking!
READ MORE | 7 things that will get you fined while cycling in the Netherlands
Rule of thumb: don’t get on your bike if you want to drunk-call your ex at 3:00 AM.
Get yourself a bicycle bell
Step outside in a Dutch city, and within a few minutes, you’ll hear it: the “tring-tring” of a bike bell. Romantic at first — then slightly annoying.
But alas, every bike should have a bike bell; it’s compulsory. They let you know when someone is behind you and wants to overtake you or if you’re in the way. It’s very handy and much more polite than being yelled at by an angry Dutchie.
Use your bright lights
Using a properly attached white or yellow light on the front of your bicycle and a red light on the back is required if you’re riding at night. Not having a light can result in… you guessed it, a fine. Also, worse, it could result in a car running you over.
READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #60: Have ginormous bike parking lots
Bicycle lights are very easy to find, and you can purchase some very cheap ones at Hema or Action. If you get detachable ones, make sure you take them with you when you park. Stealing bike lights is the top Dutch national pastime right after getting cheap groceries.
Signal before you turn on your bike
I think the first time somebody yelled “lul!” at me, was when I did a tight turn with 10 high schoolers behind me. At first, I thought it was the Dutch variant of “lol.” Naturally, because I’m hilarious.
But then, I realised I was called a d*** because I didn’t signal before I turned a corner.
After being the cyclist behind someone who doesn’t signal a couple of times, I understood how important it is!
If you want to go left or right with your bike, stick your left/right hand accordingly! It lets non-psychic people know what direction you’re turning towards. It makes traffic more fluid and prevents any name-calling that may hurt your feelings.
Do not text and cycle
Much like how you shouldn’t text while driving, you also shouldn’t text while cycling. At first, this was only discouraged amongst Dutchies — have you seen them cycle?
What’s good to know when cycling?
That’s enough on law. Let’s discuss some helpful tips for things like not getting your bike stolen. 😉
Put a lock on it — properly!
It’s surprising how many people get their bikes stolen because they don’t know how to put a bike lock on properly. Now you might say “c’mon that’s easy! Besides, nobody steals anything in this country.” Well, that’s where you’re wrong.
If you want to cheap out on something while living here, it better not be your bike lock! Although there are many types of locks out there, U-locks and sturdy chain locks are the best.
READ MORE | 24 TikToks explaining why the Dutch are ahead of their time with bikes
Also, there is a proper way to lock your bike. You should always lock your bike to a pole or biking rack, andyour lock should surround your frameand your tire.
Tip: If you fear your bike will get stolen (which is a very significant possibility), the best thing to do is to take out bike insurance. Yep, that’s a thing here!
Don’t have bike insurance yet? We recommend Univé for their bike and e-bike insurance. 🚲
Don’t buy €10 bikes in alleyways
Who doesn’t dream of buying a cheap bike after moving to an expensive city? But any bicycles you buy from shady guys in the inner city are probably stolen.
If you’re buying a stolen bike, you’re supporting and boosting the stolen bike market. This perpetuates the cycle and might even end in your newfound stolen bike getting stolen again. So, don’t do it.
READ MORE |Where to buy a bike in the Netherlands: the ultimate beginner’s guide
The Netherlands is filled with second-hand bicycle shops. While a second-hand bike shop will not sell bicycles for€10 euros, there are many affordable and fair options.
Get your head in a helmet — maybe
Wearing a helmet while biking is important because it protects your brain in the case of an accident. And brains are important.
Although not compulsory, and although there’s a big helmet/no helmet debate, we recommend wearing a helmet — at least if you cycle really fast.
It would appear that the traffic infrastructure and a superb biking culture are better than enforcing helmet laws, though, as the Netherlands (right after Denmark) is the European country with the least amount of accidents that result in cyclists dying. Maybe that’s why not a lot of Dutchies wear helmets.
So wear a helmet! Or not! It’s your choice.
Pay attention when wearing headphones
There are two things we love doing but we know we shouldn’t do. One of them is having Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream for breakfast every morning, and the other is riding our bicycle while listening to music.
While it’s not technically illegal to ride your bike while listening to some Iron Maiden on your headphones, it can be detrimental to your health. By detrimental to your health, we mean not hearing a tram and getting run over by it.
READ MORE |How to use your bike like a real Dutchie: from trampling pedestrians to running red lights
So, like the helmet thing, it’s not illegal… but it is highly recommended not to listen to music while riding your bike.
Read and respect the traffic signs
Lastly, there are three things you should always keep in mind when riding your bicycle: signs, pedestrians, and tram lines. There’s a wide range of road signs that you need to keep an eye out for.
Four of the most important ones to recognise are:
- uitgezondered fietsers (except people on bicycles);
- rechtsaf voor fietsers vrij (right turn free for bikers);
- let op! Uitrit bouwverkeer (watch out for construction traffic);
- and “pedestrian zebras” (pedestrian crossings).
If you see a white sign with a red line around the edge (no entrance), but it is followed by uitgezondered fietsers,you may follow that road — if you’re on a bike, of course.
You’ll see the blue signs with white letters saying rechtsaf fieters vrij. These mean “right turn free for bikers.” So even if they’re next to a red traffic light, if you’re on a bike, you can turn right freely — just remember to signal!
Tram lines: criss-cross
There are three things I have deep and crippling fears towards: spiders, that one scene in Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring, and crossing a tram line while I’m on my bicycle.
No matter how many times I’ve done it, my pulse skyrockets when I have to cross a tram line. If you fall in one, it’s almost a guarantee you will fall embarrassingly.
The best way to cross a tram line while riding a bicycle in the Netherlands is to cross one as perpendicularly as possible. Here’s a handy picture to save your life in the future.
Well, that’s about it for the do’s and don’ts of riding a bicycle in the Netherlands. Hopefully, you’ll find this list useful if you’re new to this charming little country. Riding a bicycle here is easy and incredibly safe.
But of course, if you keep these handy tips in mind, we’re confident your biking experience will be considerably better.
Did we miss any important do’s or don’ts? If we did, tell us in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2018, and was fully updated in November 2023 for your reading pleasure.
Renan Alejandro Salvador Lozano Cuervo
Pannenkoek en poffertjes connoisseur/expert. Mexican that came for the graduate education, stayed for the stroopwafels and bikes. Ask me how to make the perfect guacamole, and about the hot spots in The Hague.
