Commuter cyclists prefer short distances

One in four Dutch commutes was done by bicycle in 2007. The average distance cyclists covered per journey was 4 kilometres, taking just over 15 minutes on average.

Cycling not becoming more popular

Cycling to work has not become more popular in recent years. In 2000, too, one quarter of home-to-work journeys were undertaken by bicycle. Most people by far still prefer to drive to and from work: six out of ten commuter journeys were in cars. This share, too, has been constant for years. Only one in ten commutes are done using public transport.

Commuter journeys by means of transport, 2007

Bicycles used for shorter distances

People living less than 1 kilometre from their place of work mostly walk or cycle to get there, although nearly one in five drive. For distances between one and five kilometres hardly anyone walks. Cycling is most popular for these distances, accounting for half of journeys. Distances over 15 km are covered almost exclusively in cars or by public transport.

Means of transport by distance, 2007

Three-quarters of bicycle journeys shorter than 5 km

Just over three-quarters of all bicycle journeys to work are less than 5 kilometres. One fifth are between 5 and 10 kilometres and 5 percent are longer than 10 kilometres.

Bicycle journeys by distance, 2007

Ilona Bouhuijs and Ger Sleijpen