The summer months have now arrived and that means that many Dutch people are cycling. From July 10, the Dutch Railways will start with the trial bicycle reservation in the train. This trial is being started to give travelers more certainty about a bicycle space on the train. Travelers who want to take their bicycle on the train during this trial will receive a 25 percent discount on a Dal cycling map. Travelers are obliged to register the bicycle via the NS app or via ns.nl/fiets prior to the train journey. Travelers can also make a reservation via customer service or at the NS desk at the station. The trial lasts until September 25 and applies throughout the Netherlands on all NS routes.
The NS has been asking travelers for some time to voluntarily register their bicycle in advance of their journey, and more than 80 percent of the travelers have complied with this. These travelers did indicate in feedback to the NS that registering a bicycle in advance did not provide any advantage compared to travelers who did not. That must now change. The previously announced trial with pre-registering bicycles in the train was met with great misunderstanding from the Fietsersbond and Rover, among others, who would rather see alternative solutions being sought to create more places for cyclists on the train. The Fietsersbond, Rover, cycling association NTFU and Fietsplatform have now collected more than 11.000 signatures in a petition against compulsory bicycle reservation on the train. Still put NS the test, they want to limit the nuisance caused by cycling on the train for other travelers.
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