Knowledge OV-fiets Marks 15th Anniversary Milestone 5 April 2024 Cycling News On April 5th, 2024, NS celebrated the 15th anniversary of OV-fiets (public transport bicycles) with great enthusiasm! The festivities unfolded at the Driebergen-Zeist train station, marking a momentous occasion in the history of Dutch transportation. To honor this milestone and the success of OV-fiets, NS unveiled ‘regionalized’ OV bicycles for every province in the Netherlands. These special bikes feature distinctive elements emblematic of each province, ranging from a Brabant sausage roll to the iconic Erasmus Bridge in Zuid-Holland. The first of 12 different provincial party bikes, was unveiled at the event. These bikes were specially designed for the anniversary by artist Daniël Roozendaal. Travelers can find the bikes in various bicycle garages at different stations, with approximately sixty bicycles distributed, five per province. Esther van Gardener, Director of Fietsersbond, eloquently sums up the significance of OV-fiets: “The OV-fiets is the epitome of successful bicycle innovation in the Netherlands over the past quarter-century. It seamlessly complements the synergy between train and bike, offering commuters the freedom to embark on their journeys from doorstep to destination. It stands as the world’s most successful shared bike system, with an ever-growing number of Dutch enthusiasts embracing its convenience and accessibility.” The demand for OV bicycles continues to soar annually. In 2023 alone, travelers undertook 5.9 million trips on these public transport bikes—a remarkable increase of half a million compared to 2022. Presently, there are 22,500 bicycles available across 288 locations. Marise Bezema, spearheading the public transport bike initiative within NS, highlights the enduring popularity and commitment to OV-fiets: “The OV-fiets transcends the confines of train travel, offering commuters a seamless journey experience. As the demand for these distinctive yellow-blue bicycles continues to surge, we remain steadfast in our mission to enhance accessibility and convenience. In the past year, we’ve expanded our team with 500 dedicated cycling colleagues, and we’re proud to announce the implementation of new bike locks across all our bicycles this year.”