Representatives from EMRA travelled to Utrecht in the Netherlands from the 1^st to the 3^rd of September for a Dutch Cycling Study Tour, exploring how Utrecht and neighbouring towns have successfully integrated cycling and active travel infrastructure.

The group consisted of two executives from EMRA and 11 elected members. The study tour provided an opportunity to experience first-hand a range of cycling infrastructure, traffic management measures, urban developments and active travel policies, while learning from local authorities and cycling professionals.

The tour was guided by André Pettinga, Cycling Consultant with Cyclemotions, and Cian Ginty, Study Tour Guide and Editor of IrishCycle.com. Their expertise provided valuable context throughout the tour, highlighting how the Dutch approach cycling, mobility and spatial planning.

Day One: Exploring Utrecht and Houten

The first day began with the group collecting their bicycles, followed by an overview of the Utrecht region. The cycling tour provided an opportunity to experience a variety of infrastructure and traffic-management measures at street level, including canal-side routes, underpasses, new development areas and world’s largest modal filter demonstrating how the movement of motor traffic can be managed to create safer and more attractive environments for walking and cycling.

In the evening, the group cycled to Houten, a town renowned for its extensive network of greenways and its approach to separating cycling from car traffic. Rather than allowing through car traffic to dominate the town, vehicles are generally diverted onto a modest ring road, allowing cycling and walking to be the main mode of transport for everyday journeys.

The first day concluded with a meeting at the City of Utrecht Municipality Planning Office, where the group received an overview of Utrecht’s active travel and urban planning policies. The session provided an insight into the strategic approach taken by the city to support cycling, walking and sustainable transport.

Day Two: Cycling Through Bunnik

On the second day, the group cycled to the Municipality of Bunnik, with a visit to the municipal offices in Odijk. Local government representatives, including Julie d’Hondt and Mr Roel ter Horst, welcomed the group and provided a presentation on the municipality’s approach to mobility, cycling and local development.

The visit was followed by a practical cycling tour through Bunnik and its surrounding areas. Elected members had the opportunity to examine a range of suburban roads and streets, as well as two local centres and different approaches to managing traffic. The tour included examples of roundabouts, protected junctions and traffic-calming measures designed to improve safety and reduce the impact of car traffic. At the end of Day Two, the group cycled through Utrecht’s Stationsplein Bicycle Parking Facility, one of the largest bicycle parking facilities in the world. The facility provides 13,500 bicycle parking spaces, a world record for a bicycle garage.  Located at Utrecht Central Station, the facility demonstrates how bicycle parking can be seamlessly integrated with public transport.

Across the two days, the group cycled approximately 65 km in total, providing a practical opportunity to experience the cycling infrastructure. The experience provided valuable insight into how investment in cycling infrastructure extends beyond cycle lanes and routes, contributing to more accessible, sustainable and higher quality environments that positively impact people’s everyday lives.