Climate Ride Participants Explore the Dutch Cycling Approach in Gouda

On Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, 18 participants from the United States gained a deeper understanding of the Dutch approach to cycling during a special knowledge session hosted by the Dutch Cycling Embassy in Gouda as part of the Climate Ride: Netherlands to Bruges event.

Delivered by International Relations Manager Chris Bruntlett, the hour-long presentation introduced the fundamentals of the Dutch cycling model, exploring how decades of coordinated investment in infrastructure, policy, planning, and culture have made cycling an attractive and accessible mode of transport for people of all ages and abilities.

The participants—travelling across the Netherlands and Belgium by bicycle as part of Climate Ride’s immersive cycling experience—were particularly interested in understanding not only what makes the Dutch system successful, but how those lessons can be applied in communities across the United States.

Following the presentation, an engaging question-and-answer session covered topics including protected cycling infrastructure, traffic safety, governance, funding, public support, and the opportunities and challenges of adapting Dutch best practices to North American cities. Discussions emphasized that while every place has its own unique context, the principles behind the Dutch approach—safe design, connected networks, and people-centred planning—can be successfully tailored to local conditions.

The session formed part of Climate Ride’s Netherlands to Bruges tour, which combines multi-day cycling adventures with participant-led fundraising, turning personal challenges into financial support for climate action, conservation, and active transportation organizations. By providing fully supported experiences, fundraising coaching, and educational programming, the nonprofit builds a community of engaged environmental advocates while directing millions of dollars in grants to organisations working to protect the planet.