Cycling in the Netherlands: The Biggest Lifestyle Upgrade for Our Family

One of the biggest reasons our family moved to the Netherlands was to escape the car-dependent suburban lifestyle that had become normal in the United States.

The Dutch have built cities around people rather than cars. Instead of driving everywhere, you bike. Grocery store? Bike. School? Bike. Swimming lessons? Bike. Dinner? Bike. It’s not unusual to see business executives in suits, grandparents, teenagers, and entire families all using the same bike lanes.

For us, cycling hasn’t just been a different way to get around—it’s fundamentally changed how we live. Including enabling the independence of our children to visit friends, the mall, library, clubs and activities without having to have a dedicated adult running kid uber.

Bikes Are Transportation

In North America, bicycles often feel like recreational equipment. In the Netherlands they’re transportation.

The infrastructure is what makes this work. Dedicated bike paths are everywhere, intersections are designed with cyclists in mind, and secure bike parking is common. Because the country is almost completely flat, even relatively short trips are comfortable. Mornings during school drop-off the bike routes are busier than the streets with kids, parents, and commuters happily pedaling rain or shine.

Many traditional Dutch bikes are built for practicality rather than speed:

• Fully enclosed chain guards to keep your clothes clean and reduce maintenance.
• Wheel locks integrated into the frame.
• Upright riding positions that are comfortable for everyday use.
• Internal hub gears—or no gears at all.

You’ll also see a huge number of e-bikes. Some look almost identical to traditional bicycles, while others have a much more modern appearance. Legally, electric assistance is limited, although you’ll occasionally spot bikes that appear to be a little more… enthusiastic with the regulations.

Dutch Bikes

If you are physically capable, bikes are the primary method that even those with cars use to get around in the Netherlands. Because it's so flat many bikes don't have gears, they are often reliable, include covers for the chain to prevent rust from the rain, and wheel locks to prevent theft. There are also a lot of e-bikes, more traditional / modern looking ones as well as smaller fat tire bikes, while there are limits around how fast e-bikes can go and how much assistance they can provide, there are also a lot of non-complaint bikes out there. There is also a category that I'd never heard of before coming, and I freaking love them...

My Favorite Discovery: The Bakfiets

Before moving here I’d never heard of a bakfiets (“box bike”).

Now I honestly can’t imagine living in the Netherlands without one.

A bakfiets is essentially a cargo bike with a large box mounted between the handlebars and the front wheel. Most modern versions are electric, making them surprisingly easy to ride even when heavily loaded.

Ours has become our primary family vehicle.

In the front I’ve carried:

• Both of our daughters at the same time.
• Our 50 kg Leonberger, Freya.
• Large IKEA purchases.
• Groceries.
• Sports equipment.
• Random boxes and supplies.

We’ve already put more than 1,500 km on ours, and it’s become our daily driver.

What surprised me most is that around Amsterdam it’s frequently faster than both driving and public transit. You don’t spend time looking for parking, sitting in traffic, or waiting for a tram. You just get on and go.

Buying One

Bakfiets aren’t cheap.

Used models regularly appear on Marktplaats, and you can often find one for around €1,500–€3,000 depending on age and condition.

Since I knew ours would replace a car for many of our trips, I decided to buy new.

Our Urban Arrow cost roughly €5,500 with insurance, GPS tracking, theft coverage, and loaner-bike protection. I intentionally bought from a local bike shop close to our home in Amstelveen so servicing and warranty work would be straightforward.

The sticker can be shocking, but it has no regular registration costs, and other than insurance (worth getting for such a large purchase) there is way less total cost of ownership vs a car.

A few months later, I’d happily make the same decision again.

Finding Bikes for Kids

One thing that surprised us was how difficult it was to shop for children’s bikes in person.

There are bike shops everywhere, but many only stock a fairly limited range of sizes and brands. After figuring out the correct wheel size for each child, we had much better luck ordering online.

We used Cheapassbikes, which specializes in refurbished used bicycles.

Our experience was excellent:

• Large selection.
• Refurbished and ready to ride.
• Accessories installed before delivery.
• Delivered within about 48 hours.

The delivery was especially convenient—they locked the bikes using the locks we purchased with them and dropped the keys into our mailbox while we were out.

If you’re moving with children, I’d recommend figuring out the correct wheel size first, then shopping online rather than spending days traveling between bike stores (which often are closed or hold weird holiday hours compared to US bike shops).

Final Thoughts

Moving to the Netherlands didn’t just change what we drive—it changed whether we drive at all.

The bakfiets has become our family car for most trips. The kids have far more independence than they did in the United States. We spend more time outside, more time interacting with our neighborhood, and less time sitting in traffic.

If you’re relocating here, I’d recommend renting bikes before buying anything. Once you’ve experienced daily Dutch cycling, you’ll have a much better idea of what type of bike actually fits your lifestyle.

And don’t be surprised if, after a few months, your car starts feeling like the inconvenient option instead of the convenient one. Or, perhaps you find (like over half of households in Amsterdam) that you don't need a car at all.

And now, a moment of Zen (from my trip dropping off AJ at camp this morning)