In spring 2020, countries around the world introduced restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic. International cycling holidays were put on hold, daily routines changed and many people spent far more time at home. In the Netherlands, however, going outdoors for exercise remained possible under distancing rules.
A less restrictive lockdown
The Dutch approach at the time was often described as an “intelligent lockdown”. Schools, attractions, museums, hospitality venues and sports clubs closed, events were cancelled, and people were asked to work from home wherever possible.
Residents were advised to stay home as much as possible but could go outdoors for fresh air. The temporary rules required people outside the same household to keep their distance and limited the size of groups.
Cycling continued to be encouraged for necessary journeys and recreation. A bicycle offered an alternative to public transport and gave people a way to exercise, but familiar paths felt very different under the restrictions.
The daily commute
Before the outbreak, cycle paths were crowded during the morning rush hour. In cities such as Utrecht, queues of bicycles were a normal part of the commute. With many workplaces closed or operating remotely, once-busy corridors became unusually quiet.
Only a small number of riders were travelling to essential work. The lighter traffic made it easier to leave space while overtaking or waiting at signals, although riders still had to pay attention at narrower points.
Recreation brought different pressures
Countryside paths told another story. Many people headed for tulip fields, the coast, woods and polders, particularly in fine weather. Authorities became concerned that popular destinations would grow too crowded for distancing to be maintained.
At some recreation areas, access roads and parking facilities were closed to motor traffic while cyclists and walkers could still enter. The intention was to encourage nearby outdoor activity without drawing large numbers of visitors by car.
A new cycling etiquette
Local paths became busier than usual, even when riders started early to spread journeys across the day. Most people tried to leave the recommended distance, but passing and overtaking demanded more anticipation.
Would two cyclists riding abreast move into single file? Was there enough clear space to pass? At signals and pinch points, riders had to negotiate an unfamiliar choreography. A temporary cycling etiquette emerged as people learned to communicate and give one another room.
Many people who would not normally take a recreational ride also rediscovered the bicycle. It became a practical way to leave the house, find open space and enjoy the spring weather. Benches and verges filled in the afternoon as residents paused outside after work.
What the period revealed
The experience showed both the resilience of cycling and the limits of popular infrastructure when travel patterns changed suddenly. Quiet commuter routes and crowded leisure paths could exist at the same time. Responsible riding depended on choosing an appropriate route, avoiding pressure points and adjusting plans when a place was busy.
Bicycles on trains in 2020
For part of 2020, temporary restrictions prevented most standard bicycles from being carried on Dutch trains. Bicycle carriage later resumed under revised conditions. This information is retained only as historical context and must not be used for present-day planning.
Current carriage rules may depend on the operator, service, time and bicycle type. See our bicycles and rail guide and confirm the latest terms with the relevant operator.
Editorial note: This archival feature has been edited in 2026 to clarify that the restrictions described were temporary, remove obsolete instructions and improve readability. It is not current public-health guidance.
