Knowledge Study Visit of Baden-Württemberg Delegation to the Netherlands 16 October 2024 Cycling News On 19-21 September 2024, State Secretary Elke Zimmer and a delegation of mayors from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, embarked on an insightful study visit to the Netherlands, aiming to learn from the country’s exemplary cycling infrastructure and promotion strategies. The visit, organised by the Dutch Cycling Embassy together with Velokonzept and AGFK-BW (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fahrrad- und Fußgängerfreundlicher Kommunen in Baden-Württemberg; association of municipalities in Baden-Württemberg dedicated to promoting bicycle and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and sustainable mobility), aimed to foster knowledge exchange and inspire innovative urban mobility solutions, and included a series of presentations, site visits, and discussions with Dutch businesses, governmental representatives, and experts. Day 1: Exploring Utrecht on foot The visit started in Utrecht, where Lucas Harms, Deputy Head of Active Mobility at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, warmly welcomed the delegation to the Netherlands with a short overview of national cycling promotion efforts. Then, the delegation listened to presentations by Herbert Tiemens, senior mobility policy offer for the municipality of Utrecht, and Emma Stubbe from the Dutch Cycling Embassy (DCE). Delegates learned about the historical development of cycling in the Netherlands and the innovative plans the municipality of Utrecht has for the future of its city and mobility. Herbert also highlighted the challenges Utrecht faces, such as balancing urban growth with sustainable mobility solutions and addressing the needs of a diverse and growing population. The presentations were followed by a lively question-and-answers session, and the official presentation of the Dutch Cycling Guide in German to State Secretary Zimmer. The group, led by Herbert and accompanied by Skadi Tirpak, Managing Director of the DCE, then explored Utrecht on foot, visiting two iconic cycling infrastructure landmarks: the world’s largest bicycle parking facility at Utrecht Centraal and the Catharijnesingel. These visits provided valuable insights into the integration of urban development and mobility. In the evening, the delegation attended a dinner where they were presented with four scenarios for the Netherlands in 2050 by the National Institute for Environmental and Spatial Planning. The discussion, led by Kersten Nabielek, a spatial planner, highlighted decision pathways for radical urban development, climate-neutral energy systems, circular economy, and sustainable mobility. A number of special guests joined the dinner and discussion, including Sonja Munnix, of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO, Bas Akkers, Trade and Investment Advisor at ROM Utrecht Region and Lot van Hooijdonk, alderwoman for the city of Utrecht, responsible for mobility, energy, and climate. Day 2: The role of economic and regional cooperation in mobility planning The second day focused on the interplay between mobility and the economy. The delegation learned about the positive culture of collaboration between government and business in the Netherlands, despite occasional conflicts with commerce. Representing the governmental perspective, Peter de Pater, Deputy Mayor of Ede, and Daniël Willems, a traffic planner for the municipality of Ede, laid out the political challenges, citizen participation practices, solutions and mobility planning outcomes of cycling infrastructure and promotion measures in the region. Max Mooij of MobilityLabel then delivered an insightful presentation on the importance of corporate mobility management and consulting services for businesses and governments. Alina Prey a policy and behavior research consultant from Goudappel, built on Max’s input with a presentation on various topics, including the psychological perspective on collaboration between municipalities, citizens and businesses, effective stakeholder management, and different ways to incentivise sustainable mobility habits. The delegation then explored the regional cooperation between neighboring municipalities, visiting Ede, Bennekom and Wageningen by bike. They examined the Dutch standards for direct cycling routes and the urban-rural relationships that facilitate cost-sharing and collaborative planning. Sjors van Duren, cycling consultant from Royal HaskoningDHV, Daniël Willems, and Alina Prey guided the group through these topics and the region. The day concluded with a round of reflections by participants and warm and inspiring words of State Secretary Zimmer on what kind of mobility paradigms and urban qualities she would like to see Baden-Württemberg develop towards in the future. Day 3: Cycling and Urban Development in Utrecht The final day was dedicated to understanding the synergy between people-centred mobility planning and infrastructure development in Utrecht via a cycling tour. Ben Schaipp of FietsMeister led the tour, which included the opportunity to try a LopiFit, an innovative walking bike. The delegation visited the Dafne Schippersbrug, where Michel Schreinemachers and Marijn Schenk, founders of NEXT Architects, shared the story of how they designed the bridge that serves as a key cycling connection, but also a school, with a green and recreational area to serve the neighbourhood. Other highlights included cycling along various narrow and/or busy streets that were rebuilt to become more a cycling-friendly, such as the Maliesingel and commercial streets, as well as visiting a new neighbourhood planned according to the municipality of Utrecht’s innovative urban and mobility planning principles. The visit concluded with a lunch and a moment to reflect on and discuss the learnings of the visit. The delegation shared what inspired them most in the Dutch approach to cycling infrastructure and urban mobility, and what approaches and solutions they would take home. The insights gained from this study visit are expected to influence future mobility and urban development strategies in Baden-Württemberg, fostering a more sustainable, collaborative and cycling-friendly environment.