STYLES OF DUTCH BIKES
Quick reference guide for expats of various bike categories in the Netherlands with a brief overview of each bicycle style to help you choose the ‘fiets’ that meets your needs.
Holland, the land of windmills, wooden shoes, tulips and… BIKES! There are an estimated 22.0 million bicycles in the Netherlands, a small country with 17.2 million residents. But it’s not until one lives here that they can understand the breadth of bike styles the Dutch ride…
BIKE STYLES IN HOLLAND
Here are common categories of bicycles in the Netherlands and a brief description of each to help narrow down which Dutch bike style is right for you…
| CITY BIKE (stadsfietsen)  | Hands down the most popular type of bicycle for the Dutch. City bikes have a classic silhouette and are typically gear-less as Holland’s flat terrain is not physically challenging. They may have pedal or hand brakes. A city bike offers a good, dependable ride, whether heading to off school, work or the local shops. |
| TRANSPORT BIKE (transportfietsen)  | A transport bicycle is similar to a city bike but with a metal rack welded to the frame in front. Many riders attach a wooden or plastic crate to the rack for carrying groceries, backpack, sports equipment or other items. The rack is usually strong enough to support a light-weighing passenger. |
| MOUNTAIN BIKE (mountainfietsen)  | As there are no true ‘mountains’ in Holland, this type of bike is useful for off-roading in coastal sand dunes or exploring forests and other recreation areas along dirt trails. The tires are thick with lug treads for traction, typically have straight handlebars and are commonly equipped with a built-in suspension system. |
| LADIES BIKE (damesfietsen)  | A ‘ladies bike’ is simply a reference to a bike’s frame shape (rather than a specific category of bike). A ladies bike has a lowered support cross bar allowing for easier mounting especially if the rider happens to wearing a dress. |
| MOTHER BIKE (moederfietsen)  | This style generally looks like a ladies city bike but is equipped with larger tires which can support more weight while still offering a smooth ride. There is more distance between the handlebars and the saddle to allow for a child seat to be mounted. |
| GRANNY BIKE (omafietsen)  | This style is similar to a mother bike but with a lower support bar that makes it easier to step into. The distance between the seat and handlebars is shorter which allows the rider to sit in a more upright position, decreasing pressure on the shoulders. Aluminum is commonly used for the frame to reduce the bike’s weight. |
| RACING BIKE (racefietsen)  | One need only think of the ‘Tour de France’ to know what a racing bike looks like. Typically this style has handlebars curved under and is equipped with multiple gears and hand brakes. One needs to hunch down to ride a racing bike which makes for a more streamline silhouette. Reducing drag is a key goal, so these bikes usually have super thin tires (less surface area to touch the ground), a long narrow seat and are made of lightweight aluminum. |
| FOLDING BIKE (vouwfietsen)  | These bikes fold to 1/3 of their full length and are equipped with small wheels (usually 20″ or less in diameter). The T-shaped handlebar and seat support bar both contract, reducing the size further. In the Netherlands, folding bikes are allowed on trains at no extra cost and are the only type of bicycle that can be taken on the train during morning rush hour. They can also be taken on trams and buses (but only when folded). |
| CARGO BIKE (bakfietsen)  | This style is quite popular in Holland with parents who have a young child or children. The cargo hold area is equipped with seat belts and there are various accessories that can be added such as waterproof enclosures for cycling in the rain. Cargo bikes are available in 2 and 3 wheel models and come in both standard and electric versions. |
| CRUISER BIKE (cruiserfietsen)  | This style is a variation on the city bike, but with an elongated silhouette, fat white tires and extended handlebars. |
| TRICYCLE (driewieler)  | Tricycles are not just for children. Seniors and cyclists who suffer from balance issues find the tricycle a viable alternative. |
| TANDEM BIKE (tandemfietsen)  | This is the famous bicycle built for two (or three or four). Each rider has his/her own seat, handlebars and pedals. It rider has a seat, handlebars and pedals, but the driver’s handlebars are the only ones used for steering. Tandem bikes are primarily used for recreational purposes rather than daily transport. |
| ELECTRIC BIKE (elektrische fietsen)  | E-bikes are equipped with a (rechargeable) battery that assists the rider is pedaling. The standard type is designed to go a maximum of 25 kph (even when cycling downhill). Battery-assisted models can be found across a range of bicycle styles including city bikes, granny bikes, cargo bikes and even folding bikes. |
SPEED PEDELEC | An electric bike designed with a more powerful battery which allows the rider to travel at speeds up to 45 kph is called a ‘speed pedalec’. One must follow specific rules when riding a bike that falls into this category including: 1) it must travel on the same road as cars rather than a bike path (unless signage indicates mopeds are okay to use that bike path), 2) it must be registered with the department of motor vehicles and requires a small square license plate be attached on the back fender, 3) the owner is required to an insurance policy and 4) the rider is required to wear a helmet. |
Related information…