Biking Rules In The Netherlands (With Pictures!)
As a student in the Netherlands, you're most likely going to be on your bike ALOT! It's very rare to see students use public transport to commute in and around the city. However, as international students you are new to the city or country and biking here for the first time can be a bit overwhelming with all the biking rules. Don't fret, because this is your guide to the Dutch biking rules. They're actually very simple and easy to follow once you get the hang of it. Trust me, I managed to have 3 accidents in the first week because I was unaware of the rules and was on the wrong side of the road!
1. Bike on the red biking paths
Next to all streets are red strips painted on the road which are the biking paths which are marked with a painted bicycle. Google maps cannot differentiate what is the biking road from the main road, so don't make the mistake of biking directly on the street. The city center has alot of pedestrian zones, so don't bike through the centrum squares as a short cut because you can be fined for that! Just bike around the square or walk through the square with your bike. Also, bikes that are parked in these areas will be taken away by the police department.
2. Right IS ALWAYS Right
Here in the Netherlands you bike on the right side of the road and on the right side of the bike lane. If you forget, just remember this phrase "right is ALWAYS right!"
3. Indicating Left & Right When Turning
Before making a turn, indicate in advance which way you want to go by pointing left or right. Just be careful when indicating that you don't accidentally smack an incoming cyclist in the face or worse - get hit by a car when extending your hand.
4. Overtaking
If you want to overtake a slow biker infront of you, ring your bell so they move a bit more to the right and then you will use the left side of the biking lane and come back on the right side after you overtake. But DO NOT bike onto the main road if there is not enough space to overtake.
5. GPS Can Be Misleading
Google Maps and other navigation apps can be misleading since they can't differentiate between the road and the biking path. So look up from your phone and observe the crossings.
If you're unsure of where you need to go, get off your bike and go on the sidewalk. Ask a pedestrian to help you out or follow the biker infront of you.
Rule of thumb, DO NOT bike onto the highway!!! It's very dangerous for you and the cars since they drive at 120km/s. The biking path is actually below the highway but GPS shows it to be on the highway, which is WRONG!
6. Traffic Lights
Bike lanes have their own traffic lights with a timer on the side. So please follow that and not the main traffic lights for cars. If you don't see any cars on the street, keep waiting till the bike traffic light is green because cars can come really fast and you will be the one at fault in case of a collision accident. Also you can be fined €95 for jumping the red light!!!
7. Bike Lights At Night
Many bikes and rental companies have lights in the bike that are mechanical (dynamos). However there are bikes with no such lights. You can buy bike lights for cheap at Action but you can buy them anywhere really - groceries stores like Albert Heijn & Jumbo, department stores like Hema & Flying Tiger sell them!
It's imperative to have these bike lights since cycling without lights at night leads to a €55 fine for each missing light. It only costs €1 - €3 euros for a set of bike lights, so it would be smart to buy these lights rather than pay a €100 fine. You can get lights that you can install permanently on the handle, or get silicone ones that you can remove everytime after you bike and keep it in your bag to avoid theft.
8. Road Signs on The Bike Path
If you've notice there are two main white signs on the bike path, and these are meant to manage traffic.
The first thing you'll notice are 3-5 white triangles called 'shark teeth'. When the triangles are facing towards you, it means you need to stop and give way to other cyclists. If the triangles are facing away from you, then you have the right of way.
The second sign you'll see is a line of white squares along the bike path which tells cars to stop for you on that path.
9. Routes on The Bike Path
Sometimes GPS doesn't work and you might be confused by the way the bike paths bend around the city. Don't worry because there are signs on the bike path itself that tell you the direction to the city center or university campus.
10. Safety During Rush Hour
There are alot things to be careful about when cycling in the Netherlands. Firstly, using a mobile phone is NOT allowed and you can get fined €95 euros just for that. You might see some people biking and using their phone at the same time but that's extremely dangerous because their eyes aren't on the road and they aren't holding the bike either. So if you see anyone like that be careful when biking near them.
Partying is a big part of the university experience and even more so in the Netherlands, however cycling under the influence means a €100 fine and a HUGE risk of accidents like falling on the street, crashing into a car/pedestrian or falling into the canals. To be safe after a night out, drink plenty of water and walk with your bike home. The bike can actually give you that extra support when walking back! The other option is slightly more expensive, but take a taxi back home and come for your bike the next day.
You don't need to wear helmets and elbow/knee pads while biking, but if it gives you more confidence to bike around town don't feel ashamed to wear these gears. Safety is cool!
With these biking tips I'm sure you'll be on your way to a safe and enjoyable bike ride around the city! Let me know in the comments below if you have also had a funny/embarrassing biking story in the first week of living here.
XO, Samudraki
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