Cycling in the Netherlands: Complete Expat Guide 2026

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Why cycling matters

Cycling is a normal way to get around in the Netherlands, and many expats make a bike their main transport for daily trips. A bike does not need parking, and a second-hand bike costs far less than a car. This guide covers your options for getting a bike, the traffic rules that matter, theft prevention and insurance.

Not sure what transport and living costs will look like in total? Our tools can help you plan your budget before you arrive.

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Getting your bike: options compared

Option 1: buy a second-hand bicycle

Buying second-hand is a common route for expats who stay a while.

Where to look: online marketplaces such as Marktplaats, local bike shops that sell refurbished bikes, and notice boards at universities.

What to check:

• Brakes. Many Dutch bikes have a pedal brake (back-pedal), which you should test.
• Tyres, gears, lights and the ring lock (the built-in rear wheel lock).
• The key to the ring lock and the frame number.
• Proof of purchase. Ask for it, because buying a stolen bike is a risk on private marketplaces.

Pros: you own the bike, and you choose from a wide selection. Cons: maintenance is your responsibility, and private sales come without a warranty.

Option 2: Swapfiets subscription

Swapfiets is a Dutch bike subscription. According to its website (swapfiets.nl, checked 7 October 2026), the subscription includes repairs, theft replacement and cancellation at any time, and the bikes have a blue front tyre.

Prices and promotions change and can differ per city. Check the site before you subscribe. Extras such as theft coverage are optional.

Compare the monthly cost with buying and reselling a second-hand bike for your planned length of stay. A subscription suits short stays and people who do not want to handle maintenance. Buying tends to be cheaper for long stays.

Option 3: buy a new bicycle

If you stay for several years, a new city bike from a local bike shop (fietsenwinkel) lets you test ride and get advice. Prices vary widely by brand and type, so compare shops and online retailers.

Option 4: OV-fiets

OV-fiets is a public rental bike at most train stations, connected to your personal OV-chipkaart. It suits the last stretch between a station and your destination rather than daily commuting. Check the NS website for current prices and how to activate it. Our OV-chipkaart guide explains how the card works.

Key cycling rules in the Netherlands

These rules come from the Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens 1990 (RVV 1990):

1. Bike paths: cyclists use the mandatory bike path (verplicht fietspad) where there is one, and use the road if there is none. An optional bike path may be used (article 3).
2. Priority from the right: at junctions you give priority to traffic coming from your right, with exceptions such as a tram and priority roads (article 15). Look for priority signs, because this rule catches many newcomers.
3. Lights: at night, or when visibility is seriously limited, a bike needs a white or yellow light at the front and a red light at the rear (article 35).
4. Phone: it is prohibited to hold a mobile phone, tablet or media player while riding (article 61a).

Other good habits: signal your turns with your arm, ride on the right, and watch for pedestrians crossing. Traffic fines exist for violations. Check the current amounts on the website of the Openbaar Ministerie before you rely on a figure.

Bike theft: prevention and response

Prevention

1. Use more than one lock: the ring lock plus a chain lock or U-lock, with the frame locked to a fixed object.
2. Park in busy, well-lit places and use designated bike parking.
3. Note the frame number, which is usually stamped near the pedals or the headset, and keep photos of the bike.
4. Keep your proof of purchase.

If your bike is stolen

1. Report it to the police (politie.nl).
2. Give the police your frame number.
3. Contact your insurer if you have contents or bicycle insurance.

What insurance covers

Contents insurance (inboedelverzekering), bicycle insurance (fietsverzekering) and a bike subscription each have their own theft conditions, for example about where the bike was stolen and which locks you must use. Check the policy wording before you rely on a cover.

A standalone policy states its conditions up front. Univé’s bike insurance, for example, covers damage and theft, and pays back the purchase price during the first 3 years. It does not cover theft damage if the bike was not properly locked (unive.nl, checked 7 October 2026). Read the full policy conditions for the lock requirements. Our bike insurance and theft guide sets out the rest.

If you do not yet have contents insurance at all, comparing is the quickest way to see what the cover and the excess look like across providers.

Contents and liability insurance explained →

Types of Dutch bicycles

• Omafiets / opafiets (classic city bike): upright position, chain guard, mudguards, rear rack and a ring lock. Simple and built for daily use.
• City bike with gears: the same idea with gears for wind and slopes, often with hand brakes.
• Electric bike (e-bike): pedal assistance that makes longer distances and headwinds easier. It costs more than a normal bike and is a target for thieves, so lock it well.
• Bakfiets (cargo bike): a bike with a large box at the front for children or cargo.

Cycling in different weather

Rain and wind are part of cycling in the Netherlands, so prepare for both.

• Rain: a waterproof jacket, rain trousers if you ride long distances, mudguards and a waterproof bag for your belongings.
• Wind: use a lower gear into a headwind and plan routes with some shelter where you can. An e-bike makes windy days easier.
• Winter: dress in layers and use your lights, because it gets dark early. If paths are icy, consider public transport.

Cycling with children

Many families use a child seat, a cargo bike (bakfiets) or a trailer. Check that any seat or trailer fits your bike and suits your child’s age and weight, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cycling apps

Related guides

• OV-chipkaart Guide for Expats: public transport setup
• Complete Guide to Moving to the Netherlands: full relocation checklist
• Cost of Living in the Netherlands 2026: budgeting guide

Conclusion

A bike connects you to daily life in the Netherlands. If you are new, a subscription is an easy start and buying second-hand can be cheaper over a longer stay. Whatever you choose, get good locks, install lights, learn the right-of-way rules and keep your phone in your pocket.

Our cost of living guide shows how transport fits into the monthly picture, and the housing budget checker helps you model costs by city.

Plan your Dutch transport budget →