The growth in popularity of the e-bike also brings new challenges.
The Dutch remain avid cyclists, with more than 28% of all trips in the country made by bicycle. This constant involvement in cycling reflects the crucial role of the bicycle in the Dutch mobility system. The Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy (KiM) has presented this and other relevant data in their latest publication, “Cycling Facts 2023”.
In 2022, the Netherlands registered an impressive number of 4,8 billion bicycle trips, covering a total of 18,2 billion kilometers. This amounts to an average of 3,0 kilometers per inhabitant per day. Bicycle use in the Netherlands is diverse, with the bicycle not only being used for leisure activities, but also remaining a popular means of transport for work and education.
The difference in bicycle use between different groups is striking. Women and young people are the most avid cyclists, and women also use an e-bike significantly more often than men. Urban areas have a higher cycling density than rural areas, a trend that is visible both before and after the corona pandemic.
The KiM report "Cycling Facts 2023" also emphasizes the social aspects of cycling. Cycling remains an accessible and affordable form of transport for a wide range of people.
Cities and municipalities are faced with the task of adapting the infrastructure to these faster and heavier bicycles. This not only means improving cycle paths, but also creating sufficient and safe parking spaces for e-bikes.
The increase in the distance traveled by bicycle is largely due to the increasing popularity of the e-bike. Between 2012 and 2019, the total distance traveled increased by almost 8%, and although growth slowed during the corona pandemic, the trend remained positive. The e-bike is on the rise at the expense of the traditional bicycle, with a notable increase in the use of e-bikes.
In big cities, cycling is a common mode of transport, and the pandemic brought about a slight shift, with an increase in walking. Nevertheless, the e-bike continues to gain popularity, not only among the elderly but also, remarkably, among young people and young adults. This trend is observable nationally, although there are regional differences, especially between the Randstad and other areas.
The Cycling Facts 2023 brochure contains many more insights. For example, the brochure shows how bicycle use is distributed over the day, how distances and travel times differ between the regular bicycle and e-bike and what role the bicycle plays in pre- and post-transport. The brochure also discusses social effects, such as health, sustainability and road safety.
