Tokyo Delegation and Dutch Cycling Embassy Exchange Knowledge

On the morning of October 8, the Dutch Cycling Embassy welcomed a high-level delegation of five staff members from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for a knowledge exchange on cycling and cycling infrastructure.

The session brought together two perspectives: the Tokyo Metropolitan Government shared its current approach to developing cycling infrastructure in one of the world’s largest and most densely populated metropolitan areas, while DCE International Relations Manager Chris Bruntlett presented lessons from the Dutch experience.

The Tokyo delegation introduced the current situation and challenges for cycling in Tokyo. Cycling is already widely used for everyday trips, including commuting, shopping, school journeys and access to railway stations, with around 8.2 million bicycles owned across Tokyo. At the same time, the city faces challenges in creating safe and continuous cycling space within existing, often constrained, road profiles.

Tokyo is working towards approximately 1,800 kilometres of cycling space on metropolitan roads by the 2040s, with around 900 kilometres targeted by 2030. The delegation also explained how different types of cycling infrastructure are selected according to factors such as road width, traffic volumes, speed and on-street parking.

Chris Bruntlett then shared the Dutch experience in his presentation, The Dutch Blueprint. He explored how the Netherlands moved towards a more systematic approach to cycling, from the turning points of the 1970s to the development of city-wide cycling networks. He highlighted the importance of thinking at network level and designing for cohesion, directness, safety, comfort and attractiveness.

The presentation also looked beyond cycling infrastructure itself. Chris discussed the relationship between cycling and traffic circulation, the role of speed management, and the importance of integrating cycling with public transport. The Dutch experience with bicycle parking at railway stations and the bike-train journey were additional examples of how cycling can form part of a wider sustainable mobility system.

The presentations were followed by a lengthy and engaging discussion about what Japan and the Netherlands can learn from one another. The Tokyo delegation came with a range of questions around cycling policy and network development, public perceptions of cycling, rules and regulations, stakeholder engagement, the roles of different authorities, and approaches to reallocating road space.

Rather than simply presenting the Dutch approach as a model to copy, the exchange highlighted the value of comparing experiences and considering how different solutions can work within different urban contexts. Tokyo’s scale, density and existing street functions create very different conditions from those of Dutch cities, while its ambitions for expanding cycling infrastructure offer valuable lessons of their own.