Cycling Culture

The Netherlands must be the only country where your child's cycling abilities and habits are requested upon school and healthcare registration. And the questions don't simply stop at "can your child cycle?", but also whether said cycling is done a) on two wheels, or b) with side-wheels. Transportation options which include three or more wheels, fall under c) my child does not yet cycle (note the "yet"!).

There are also questions related to protective gear and whether this is worn when your child is cycling on their own bicycle or on their parents' bicycles (note the "when", not "if"). Though it is interesting to note that helmets follow the same rule as Covid-masks here: They are available and a safer option, but not mandatory and therefore rarely worn.

Luckily my husband immediately identified cycling as a crucial developmental area for our toddler upon our arrival in the Nederlands in March. Probably after seeing a three-year old wheelie past unsupervised on a bicycle with a) two wheels. Two months and a markplaats bicycle (which didn't even come with the option of side-wheels) later, we were ready for any cycling-related registration lists which we might encounter.

It is fascinating to watch children grow up on bicycles all around us: Newborns are introduced to the cycling culture by means of a bakfiets and are transferred to a baby seat in front of their parents' bicycles once they can sit up. Then, to the back of the bicycle, often while the front seat is occupied by baby #2 or #3.

It seems like children skip the customary South African plastic three-wheeled bikes and immediately start cycling on their own two-wheeled balance bikes just after the age of one. They then progress to pedal bicycles without side-wheels somewhere between the ages of three and four.

Primary school outings don't commence with a bus-ride, but rather a mass cycling expedition where the children cycle to the museum / park / event by themselves, accompanied by a few teachers and parents. Of course, most children also cycle to school, which they start at the age of four (thankfully, initially accompanied by a parent).

Most of this might seem quite overwhelming if you are not used to such an all-encompassing cycling culture and if your child cannot yet cycle a) on two wheels, but luckily the whole country is well-equipped to support this culture.

Here are a few cycling-related innovations which make it easy for us to cycle to 70% of our daily outings (we walk to the rest and I only use a car to drive to work):

• Cycling routes, which I have mentioned before, with traffic lights dedicated to cyclists:

• On steep paths or bridges, there are bicycle grooves in which you can push your bike to the flatter surface at the top or bottom:

• Bicycle parking facilities in front of shops and restaurants: 

• Double decker bicycle parking areas at stations or bicycle parks:

• Apartments and houses usually have a basement or storage area where tenants can park their bicycles. Bicycle parking is an essential part of an office or apartment design: 

Now, if only I could keep up with our toddler cycling a) on two wheels...