Learning from the Dutch Cycling Experience: ACT Study Visit to Utrecht

On Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the Dutch Cycling Embassy (DCE) welcomed the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) from the United States to its office in Utrecht for a day of knowledge exchange, discussions, and firsthand cycling experiences.

This study visit was a great opportunity to showcase the Dutch integrated approach with special emphasis on orgware, as most learning points illustrated how governments and municipalities work together with employers to make cycling one of the preferred commuting options.

The delegation brought together public- and private-sector stakeholders to explore how Dutch expertise in cycling infrastructure, commuter behaviour, and bicycle parking can help make cycling a more attractive option for everyday commutes.

Lessons from data-oriented research and practical experiences

The day began at Utrecht Central Station, where Melissa Bruntlett from Modacity Creative led the group on a walking tour of the city. The walk offered an opportunity to explore how cycling facilities are integrated into Utrecht’s urban environment, with special focus on the major transformations that Utrecht central station has implemented in the past years. Along the way, participants visited a Fietshangar bicycle parking location, where Ed Spiller introduced the company’s vision and solutions for secure and durable outdoor bicycle storage, before concluding at the Dutch Cycling Embassy office. There, the group gathered for refreshments and a series of presentations exploring the relationship between commuter behaviour, data, and cycling-friendly infrastructure.

Following an introduction to cycling in the Netherlands by Jeska de Ruiter (DCE), Max Mooij from Mobility Label presented data-driven tools for understanding commuting patterns and engaging employees in active travel. He also introduced the Active Commute Method™, demonstrating how a deeper understanding of travel behaviour can inform more effective strategies for sustainable commuting. Joost de Kruijf from Dutch Cycling Intelligence then brought these ideas to life through a case study involving ASML, exploring how commuting data can inform cycling policy and targeted interventions to encourage employees to cycle.

Following that, Arjan Breider from Hart voor Verkeer shared insights into the integration of cycling infrastructure within Dutch cities and introduced the cycling tour. With beautiful weather providing the perfect backdrop, the city became a living example of the ideas discussed throughout the morning. Each location offered a different perspective on how cycling can be accommodated across a variety of urban environments and how infrastructure responds to the needs of different users and destinations. Overall, the tour demonstrated how employers can encourage cycling as a commuting option. Utrecht Science Park was shown as a strong example of how active and public transport can be prioritized through both urban design and employer policies. In contrast, Arjan highlighted opportunities to improve the business park, which remains largely car-oriented, and make it more accessible and attractive for those commuting by bike and/or public transport.

Overall learning outcomes

The visit highlighted the value of bringing together data-driven insights, employee engagement, secure bicycle parking, and well-designed cycling infrastructure to support more active and sustainable commuting. Encouraging a shift towards cycling requires an understanding of both the choices people make and the conditions that make those choices possible.

By combining expert presentations with real-world examples, the study visit offered ACT participants an opportunity to explore how different elements of the Dutch cycling approach work together and how these insights could be adapted to other contexts.

For the DCE this was a great opportunity to showcase how the combination of hardware (infrastructure), software (user/target groups) and orgware (collaboration between governments and civil society organizations) shape Dutch cycling infrastructure.

We would like to thank ACT and all the experts who contributed with their knowledge and enthusiasm to create such a valuable and enriching exchange.