9. The Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for its open and tolerant character, which can be seen by its hospitality towards foreigners. Although Dutch is the official language, most people speak very good English and some German and French. As any visitor to this country can attest, the Dutch truly enjoy contact with people from abroad and will make you feel at home in no time at all.

Free flow of participants

As a member state of the European Union, travel for all participants from other EU countries is extremely easy. Entry to the country is furthermore guaranteed to all foreign individuals participating, regardless of their nationality. Participants must, of course, meet the normal requirements. They must carry travel documents valid for an adequate period of time, have sufficient means of support and may not be considered to be a threat to the public peace, public order or national safety. You will find more information about visas and travel requirements later on in this bid book. For the latest information we invite you to visit this website.

General Facts & Figures:

• Cycling is part of our national culture
• Kids learn to cycle at a young age
• Seniors continue to cycle until old age, covering long distances: 65-75 yrs av. 3.99 km /day (75+: 2m47km)
• In no other country with a comparable level of prosperity is cycling so popular
• The ±18 million inhabitants own a total of 22.8 million bicycles: 1.3 bikes per inhabitant
• In total, Dutch people cycle about 15 billion kilometers per year, 880 kilometers per person, divided over approximately 250 to 300 bike rides
• We have 37.000 km of bike-lanes

Facts & Figures Recreational cycling in The Netherlands:

• 8.4 million recreational cyclists, at least 33.3% once a week
• 262 million recreational cycling trips per year (18+)
• 53% of domestic touring cyclists uses long distance cycle route on one or more trips
• 67% uses Junction route signs, 43% mobile apps
• 3754 LF long distance) cycling routes
• 36.493 km our Junction Route Network (‘Knooppunten netwerk’)
• Number of junctions: 10.543
• Spending €924 million on cycling holidays
• Mission Fietsplarform: our mission is to make Netherlands, the best recreational cycling country in the world

For more information, visit Fietsplatform. 

The Netherlands is widely regarded as a safe country to visit. Ranked 14th on BHTP’s list of safest countries, it offers a safe environment for travellers to explore in peace. Crime rates are relatively low and the most common problem visitors may encounter is pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas or tourist hotspots. By remaining vigilant and taking basic precautions – such as keeping your belongings close to you and not displaying valuables – you can significantly reduce the risk of inconvenience. Overall, the Netherlands offers a welcoming and safe experience.