In the Netherlands, cycling isn’t a hobby — it’s simply how life works.
Today I take you along for an everyday ride through Leiden to experience the Dutch cycling life firsthand. We’ll look at how bikes are rented, where they’re parked (including massive bike garages), how they’re locked, and how the infrastructure makes riding feel seamless and safe.
Along the way we stop at:
Burcht van Leiden
The Old Church (Andreaskerk)
Katwijk aan Zee Beach, where we dip our toes in the North Sea
For those used to long-distance touring, bikepacking, and carefully planning routes, the Netherlands feels almost effortless. Dedicated lanes, intuitive design, and a culture built around two wheels make even a casual ride fascinating.
This isn’t an epic adventure. It’s something better — a place where everyone rides a bike.
#netherlands #cycling
You can also find other cycling videos here:
Bikepacking Essentials: https://youtu.be/XznwPWpZDeU&list=PLDvmfIGlo2FYDApgB-7CaXAVJBBdT298q
Traveling With Your Bike: https://youtu.be/5KUuB0TO2AU&list=PLDvmfIGlo2FYDApgB-7CaXAVJBBdT298q
Cycling Across the US and Canada: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDvmfIGlo2FY3nOmkEcvLmej4Sb7MEmkJ
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Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:46 Burcht van Leiden
00:05:29 The Old Church Andreaskerk
00:05:48 Katwijk aan Zee Beach
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#cycling #solofemaletraveler #beginnerbike #femalebikeriderscommunity #over40 #womenover40
30 Comments
While I have never ridden a bike in the Netherlands, I have enjoyed the insane bike culture in Denmark and ridden in Scandinavia. It’s definitely a more relaxed experience somewhere where bicycles are the most common means of transportation, although, I was a little nervous watching you ride without a helmet and am grateful you remained safe throughout your ride. The North Atlantic in February was beautiful and you were brave to test the February waters. Thank you for sharing your experience on the bike. Robin:-“)
As a WI biking person, I was still overwhelmed by the Dutch bikers. They rule the road there, just by sheer numbers.
In Tears because I hate where I bike for the most part 🥹❤
Rode a bike without a helmet for 50 years. And in Ontario they aren't mandatory if you're over 18.
Last year I decided to get one as I started on a lot longer trips (not because I'm old or anything 🤣). On my way back from my first backpacking trip I took a fall – my fault. I don't want to think about what could have been without a helmet. I just got away with a few scratches, a couple of light bruises and a broken pedal. (Fortunately I was also very close to home) Never leave home without it – when biking of course 😂.
Glad to see you enjoyed that beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
The perfekt bike-life 😉👍
Good observation about many people not using hand signals, that's one of my small peeves.
It's almost irresistible isn't it, dipping your toes in the sea at the beach! 😃
Perhaps nice to know, in Katwijk starts the so called Limes. The Limes is the northern border of the Roman Empire. You can bike from Katwijk all the way to the Black Sea. Over 2800 km or about 1750 miles
A moterbike is not allowed on the cyclepath mopeds are
I'm surprised you managed to find a place that rents out bikes without luggage racks XD
They are such an essential part of Dutch culture!
Why did you rent a bike and not just buy a second hand bike?
Motorbikes are NOT allowed in a bike lane, EVER. Mopeds sometimes are if it is indicated, Mopeds have 49cc engines and cannot drive faster than 45 out side a town,,, and slower in town..
No one in the Netherlands leaves his bike without locking it,
BUT, THAT ONE LOCK ON YOUR REAR WHEEL ISN'T ENOUGH!!!
YOU NEED A SECOND LOCK TO LOCK YOUR BIKE ONTO SOMETHING THAT CAN'T BE MOVED.
I was surprised that no one mentioned that before 🙂
4:35 You have a very quick look at the name of the path on which the Burch is connected. "Van der Sterrepad" named after my grandfather 😊
There is a separate path if the speed limit is over 30.
Mopeds are not motorbikes.
If you go to a different country, you should read up on the traffic rules.
It's not bike friendly.
It is people friendly instead of car friendly.
Nice video❤
Please, wear a helmet if it makes you feel safer. 1:33
Leiden is historically interesting for Americans. The Pelgrim Fathers lived here more than a decade before moving to America. They first fled from England to the Netherlands. Because here was already a kind of freedom of religion.
They moved on because the Dutch were to liberal in their eyes, and they were afraid their children would be influenced.
Those are not motorbikes but scooters or "brommers" as we call them. Different color license plate and/or the obligation to wear a helmet. Some go on the bike lane, some on the road. The bikelanes, cyclists always have the priority and in most cities they are (partially) red.
More and more people, specifically elderly people, wear helmets.
Not really motorbikes but mopeds with maximum 50cc engines and with a limiter for speed.
Motorcycles aren’t allowed on the bicycle path.
Always lock your bike and attach it to something.
To be a fresh breath of air over all the tips and law explaining in the comment section; lovely video, seeing the country through the eyes of a foreigner. Even got the rare sighting of the sun in there 🎉
TOURISTS WEAR HELMETS , USE THE CHAIN TO LOCK YOUR BIKES TO A FENCE OR POLE
I recognized a lot of Leiden. Filmed clear and entertaining.
Traffic rules and regulations are not suggestions, they are lifesavers 🧡🌷🌷
Greetings from the best cycling city in the world 2026, Utrecht, NL.
Nice video. Thanks for promoting biking in the Netherlands. Fun to see that the normal Dutch bluntless and directness introduced itselfe in the comment sectio.
If a child is about 2 years old they can start with a walking bike to train their balance before going to a real bike when they are up to it. That is about 4 years old. Sometimes I see younger than 4 already bicycling. Their is a gender difference, boys get a smaller bike and start more early girls get most of the time a pink bike with a lot of stuff on it and most of the time slightly bigger with training wheels and are most of the time older. Moms are very protective and want a girly girl. My granddaughter started with a small 4 wheel bike (wheels very close together) at the age of one. Now she is 19 months old and she has a 2 wheel walking bike. She is very interested in it, when she is ready she can take it.
Such a beautiful town😍