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Healthy, cheap and clean. The government would like to make better use of the social benefits that the bicycle offers. More people cycle to work, a bicycle plan for children in poor families and investments in good parking facilities at stations and new residential areas. These are the spearheads of the new bicycle policy that State Secretary Heijnen is sending to the House today. It also sends new research, which shows that cycling is good for our economy and employment.

"The bicycle literally and figuratively helps us move forward. Fortunately, we find that very normal in the Netherlands, but it does not happen automatically. That is why I want to make cycling attractive for more people in the coming years, together with employers and other governments. For our accessibility, health and the clean air".

Cycling to work

Heijnen wants 2,5 extra people to cycle to work over the next 100.000 years. Cycling saves traffic on the road and in public transport during rush hour. In addition, cyclists call in sick less often on average. Despite more working from home, it is expected that the crowds during rush hour will increase in the coming years. Under the coalition agreement, Heijnen has made €50 million available for further improvement of bicycle sheds at the stations, so that it is more attractive to cycle part of the journey to and from work. It also expressly seeks cooperation with employers.

Heijnen also wants to contribute to the construction of a nationwide network of cycle routes, which provinces and municipalities are already fully engaged in. On these routes you can cycle quickly and safely on longer distances, for example between 2 cities, for example to work or school. It structurally earmarks € 6 million per year for this.

Cycling and housing

When building new residential areas, the cabinet wants to consistently look at the opportunities offered by the bicycle. The housing shortage is great. Good accessibility of houses is very important for pleasant living. Heijnen therefore meets with the regions twice a year to see where the bicycle can help to ensure that houses are accessible, in addition to public transport (public transport) and the car. In the coming years, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) will have €2 billion available to make houses accessible.

It often concerns plans by municipalities and provinces where the possibilities for car, public transport and bicycle are used together. In the first round, Heijnen and Harbers will jointly allocate a total of € 370 million for infrastructure projects with a role for the bicycle. It concerns 21 projects, spread across the country. This includes the construction of cycle routes, cycle tunnels and cycle bridges. In subsequent rounds it is also expected that there will be money from this pot for the construction of bicycle infrastructure.

"Good infrastructure is a very important condition for getting people on their bikes and allowing them to cycle safely. Municipalities and provinces already have good plans for this, and this support from the ministry ensures that these plans can now be implemented. good news".

Cycling as a weapon against transport poverty

In the Netherlands, more than 200.000 underage children live in a family that has to make ends meet on social assistance. In these families there is not always money for a bicycle. While cycling is not only healthy, but also offers children and parents freedom and independence. Heijnen therefore wants more children who are unable to do so now, to be able to use a bicycle. The ministry is currently investigating what is needed for this and what is possible. An action plan will be drawn up shortly.

The Netherlands cycling country, also in our wallets

The bicycle provides many social benefits, and also means tailwind for our economy. New research shows that making, selling and renting bicycles provides our country with 13.000 full-time jobs, spread over 3350 companies. In 2020, Dutch companies sold 1,2 million bicycles, of which more than 1 million were sold abroad. The total export value of the sector was just under 2 billion. We are making more and more money abroad. Between 2015 and 2020, the export value increased by 70%, according to the National government.

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