Fachhochschule OST experiences cycling best practices with DCE

From the 15^th until the 18^th of October, the Dutch Cycling Embassy had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Switzerland for a four-day study visit to the Netherlands. Organised for the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences’ (OST) CAS Best Practice Veloverkehr course, the visit brought together individuals from various government instances as well as professionals from the private sector to experience Dutch cycling culture first-hand. The programme offered a mix of theory and practice, combining presentations, discussions, and guided cycle tours across all four days – exploring the cities of Utrecht, Zwolle, Ede, and Amersfoort.

The visit began in Utrecht, where the group was introduced to Dutch cycling infrastructure, behavioural aspects and urban design principles as explained by experts Nils Steinhäuser (Goudappel), Laurens Hitman (SportUtrecht), Ben Schaipp (FietsMeister), Arjan Breider and Emily Szabó (Hart voor Verkeer). A guided tour through the city and its surroundings illustrated how cycling networks seamlessly connect urban and suburban areas. Concluding the day, the discussion at the DCE office focused on user experience and intermodality through the concept of Hybrid Oriented Development (HOD), presented by Erik Tetteroo (HODworks), as well as a conversation regarding the political aspects (and challenges) to cycling planning, strategy and policy as presented by Ross Goorden (Fietsersbond).

On the second day, the group travelled to Zwolle, one of the Netherlands’ leading cycling cities. Experts Hans Cnossen (Windesheim University of Applied Sciences), Joost de Kruijf (Dutch Cycling Intelligence), Jort Heuver (Roelofs), Emma Habers and Syp Tjepkema (both from the Municipality of Zwolle) presented innovative approaches to data-driven cycling policies, ‘bikenomics’, and strategies for becoming a true ‘cycling city’.

The third day focused on the area of Ede and Wageningen, with the recently unveiled bike parking facility at the train station serving as the starting point for the tour. The group visited the CROW headquarters where presentations by Sjors van Duren (Haskoning) and Hillie Talens (CROW) provided more explanation about design standards, implementation challenges, and integrating cycling with broader urban development in the Netherlands. A cycling tour through the area showed some of the real-world infrastructure examples that were discussed, such as cycle bridges, tunnels, and highways.

The final day brought participants to Amersfoort by bike for a longer cycle and reflection session alongside Elke Schimmel from november:city, concluding the study visit with a discussion on the user experience aspects of sustainable mobility.

A warm thanks again to all those who contributed their time and expertise to making this study visit a success, including the fantastic input and insights gained from the delegation, as well as the DCE’s involved experts. The DCE is pleased to co-organise the CAS Best Practice Veloverkehr course, offered by its associate partner Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST), and looks forward to future editions.