How the Dutch win at active travel

January 24, 2025

Families cycling over a bridge in Amsterdam

In Britain, progress in transport policy can seem as elusive as it is urgent.

Despite evidence of best practices abroad, UK politicians rarely reference, let alone aspire to, international success stories. Erik Tetteroo, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure’s cycling policy advisor, made this clear when we spoke to him during our crowdfunded film on road danger: “The UK is, in some sense, 50 years behind the Netherlands.”

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It’s a sobering comparison. By the 1970s, the Netherlands faced familiar crises: rising traffic fatalities, an oil shock, and growing awareness of environmental harm. But they responded decisively, transforming their urban landscape. Streets once threatened with demolition for road expansion became the world’s benchmark for sustainable transport.

This wasn’t inevitable. In late-60s Amsterdam, bulldozers loomed, and even historic canals faced being filled with concrete to create more space for roads. Dutch cities only reversed course through concerted political action driven by public demand, and protest.

The transformative changes to Dutch town planning in the early 70s were championed by the Stop de Kindermoord protest movement. Maartje van Putten was the organisation's first president elect and later an MEP. Here she talks to us about her campaigning work half a century ago.

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Today, bike lanes and traffic calming measures - policies that provoke fierce debate in the UK - are normalised, widely supported, and politically successful. The Netherlands boasts an extensive network of dedicated cycling paths, with approximately 35,000 km of cycle tracks, contributing to 28% of all trips being made by bicycle.

Meanwhile, here in the UK transport policy feels stuck in a time warp. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and cycle lanes ignite media firestorms and polarised social media debates.

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However, contrary to what the loudest voices might have you believe, public opinion is clear: two-thirds of people support these schemes. In LTNs themselves, 58% of residents don’t even notice they live in one, according to a government report commissioned by former Transport Secretary Mark Harper.

The real barrier isn’t public approval but political courage. Fear of alienating a vocal minority, often amplified by a right-leaning press, stymies progress. Meanwhile, the Netherlands continues investing in active and public transport.

The Dutch may have a 50-year head start on us, but they see their work to promote alternatives to car use in urban areas as an ongoing project.

The Dutch Fietsersbond (Cyclists' Union) represents the interests of cyclists in the Netherlands by lobbying, and working with, all levels of government on urban planning, policies, and laws to improve cycling conditions and make Dutch cities, towns and rural areas safer and easier for anyone who rides a bike: approximately 5 million Dutch folk ride every day out of the country's total population of 16.8 million.

Fietsersbond spokesperson Vim Bot, told us: "For us it's clear that we must further reduce the speed of cars in cities. There's no real room for cars in cities. They are not made for cities, cities are not made for cars. So we must make more of the space available for pedestrians and cyclists."

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So, can Britain catch up? The roadmap exists, and so does public support, but our politicians need to act decisively. We can continue down the same car-clogged path or follow the lead of our Northern European neighbours.

We know a thing or two about protecting bikes

It's an unfortunate fact of life; bicycles can break down. Even the shortest journey comes to an abrupt halt if you can't fix a flat tyre, broken chain or buckled wheel at the roadside. It's why over 30 years ago we launched Cycle Rescue  - the UK's first breakdown cover for bicycles.

ETA Cycle Rescue covers e-bikes, too. If you ride a road-legal electric bicycle, we’ll cover it against mechanical faults, punctures or a flat battery.

How does Cycle Rescue cover work?

If you suffer a breakdown (including punctures, or even a flat e-bike battery) while out cycling, or are unable to continue due to an injury, our 24-hour Cycle Rescue team is on hand to arrange transport for you and your bicycle to a safe location.

Cycle Rescue costs only £24 per year with no hidden extras to pay if your bicycle suffers a breakdown.

Get Cycle Rescue for free when you buy ETA cycle insurance

Every cycle insurance policy of ours includes the following as standard:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
Cycle Rescue
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

cargo e-bike being carried on the back of a large breakdown recovery lorry


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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

Information correct at time of publication.

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