The Netherlands is an ideal country for cycling with children. The many separate bicycle paths and flat terrain make cycling safe and effortless. And at easy distance there are many exciting things to do and see for the whole family. A simple cycle ride soon turns into one great adventure!
Even before they can walk, Dutch children are immersed in a world of cycling.
The Dutch cycle everywhere. Even businessmen in suits cycle to work. Dutch children learn to cycle early, mostly with a balance bike, and then with a normal bike. From a very early age, parents put their children on bikes, and you can buy special adapters to attach a Maxi Cosi carseat to the bike. There are even special bikes (called a bakfiets), which is especially handy when you have more than one child. And there are countless solutions to put children on their parents’ bikes: seats (both front and rear), or additional wheels that you can attach to the parents’ bike.
The Dutch are extremely creative when it comes to cycling, but me and my husband always have discussions about safety – he’s surprised to see not many Dutch people wear helmets, for example. In my opinion (I’m Dutch in case you didn’t know!) we tend to go helmet-free because we are protected by the cycle-centric rules of the roads and the way infrastructure is designed. Not once have I worn a helmet, not even when I was little. Neither has Alexander!
If you see someone wearing a cycling helmet in The Netherlands, the chances are they’re a tourist or a professional.
We were very happy to see Ombline and Mahaut last week! They seem to be enjoying their lives in The Netherland and love cycling around in The Hague. And Ombline’s level of Dutch is just mind-blowing. Our Parisian friends only moved here last winter!
Get inspired by these beautiful photos’s taken by Evelyne Photograpy. Like?
Ombline is wearing a jacket by Elsy, dress by Iglo+Indi and tights by April Showers by Polder. Mahaut is wearing a jacket and tights by Elsy and T-shirt and skirt by Boboli.
Ombline is wearing a jacket by Elsy, dress by Iglo+Indi and tights by April Showers by Polder. Mahaut is wearing a jacket and tights by Elsy and T-shirt and skirt by Boboli.
Ombline is wearing a jacket by Elsy, dress by Iglo+Indi and tights by April Showers. Mahaut is wearing a jacket and tights by Elsy, T-shirt and skirt by Boboli, shoes by Sko Paris.
Alexander is wearing a jumper by Iglo+Indi, jeans by Stella McCartney Kids via Broer & Zus and shoes by Bisgaard.
Alexander is wearing a jumper by Iglo+Indi, jeans by Stella McCartney Kids via Broer & Zus and shoes by Bisgaard.
Mahaut is wearing a jacket and tights by Elsy and T-shirt and skirt by Boboli.
All photo’s taken by Evelyne Photography for Les enfants a Paris.
