Title: “The cycling revolution in the Netherlands: how a citizen movement made cycling the preferred mode of transport”
Since the 1970s, the Netherlands have made real progress in terms of urban mobility. While at the time, the trend was to favor the car, a citizen movement came to change everything. Today, the Netherlands has become a cyclist’s paradise, with 27% of trips made by bike, compared to only 4% in France. How did this country manage to make such a transformation? A look back at a cycling revolution that made history.
In the early 1970s, road fatality figures in the Netherlands reached alarming levels, with 3,300 victims, including 400 children. Faced with this tragedy, a group of citizens decided to take matters into their own hands. Their message was clear: “Stop the killing of children.” Thus, these activists organized bicycle demonstrations, occupied areas where many accidents had occurred and even closed streets to traffic to allow children to play safely outside.
This significant mobilization ended up attracting the attention of the authorities. Provélo activists have worked hand in hand with political decision-makers to create infrastructure suitable for cyclists. Today, the Netherlands has more than 35,000 kilometers of cycle paths, providing a dense and secure network for traveling by bike. In addition, around Amsterdam station, there are no less than 22,000 parking spaces dedicated to bicycles.
However, despite these advances, the number of cars continues to increase in the Netherlands. If the country has more bicycles than inhabitants, the number of vehicles is expected to reach 10 million by 2030. This situation raises new challenges in terms of sustainable mobility and management of public space. The Dutch authorities must now find solutions to continue to promote the benefits of cycling while meeting the new demands of society.
The cycling revolution in the Netherlands has demonstrated that change is possible through citizen engagement. The actions of these activists have made it possible to place the bicycle at the heart of public policies and make it the preferred mode of transport. This transformation has not only helped to reduce the number of road accidents, but also to promote a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
In conclusion, the Netherlands has succeeded in making the bicycle a national symbol and an essential mode of travel thanks to the involvement of citizens and close collaboration with the authorities. This cycling revolution is inspiring many countries around the world, which are seeking to develop safe cycling infrastructure and encourage cycling.. The transformation of urban mobility is underway, and the bicycle occupies a key place in this transition towards a more sustainable future.