More and more people in the Netherlands are choosing to cycle to work, according to new data published by mobility provider Shuttel, which shows a 57% increase in the number of cycling commutes over the past year.
“We enjoy cycling and are increasingly being encouraged to do so,” says Bart Horstman, a mobility expert at Shuttel, which supports the commuting needs of employees at several major Dutch employers. The total distance cycled by employees on their commutes also rose by 50 percent.
The number of car and public transport journeys also increased between March 2024 and March 2025, although at a slower rate than cycling. For instance, car commutes rose by 44 percent, and travel by train, tram, bus, and metro increased by 24 percent.
A return to the office
The overall increase in commuting across all modes of transport can be explained by a single key trend. “We’re returning to the office more often,” Horstman explains. “That growth began last year and is continuing. Hybrid working is here to stay, but people are spending fewer days working from home.”
For shorter trips, particularly those under five kilometres, bicycles appear to be replacing public transport. An analysis of commuting data from 134,700 employees shows that traditional bicycles are gaining popularity for short-distance journeys, while the use of public transport for these trips is declining.
Horstman also notes a growing trend in the use of e-bikes for longer distances. “We’re seeing more people using electric and road bikes for lengthier commutes. This is partly since more employers are providing facilities such as showers and changing rooms to freshen up after cycling.”
Longer distances and busier cycle lanes
The data also suggest that some people moved further away from their workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, not only has the number of car and public transport journeys increased, but average distances have also grown. There has been a marked rise in commutes over 20 kilometres, while the number of shorter journeys has declined.
More cyclists and greater distances travelled are, in principle, beneficial for public health and air quality. However, this trend also brings new challenges: increased congestion on cycle lanes and a wider range of cycling speeds than was typical twenty years ago, before the rise of e-bikes.
These developments call for increased caution, particularly during peak hours. Higher cycling speeds mean less time to respond to other road users or obstacles. In some areas, wider or upgraded cycling infrastructure may be needed to support these changes and ensure road safety.
Author: Carolina Ramos
Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of either the European Commission or the European Investment Bank.
