As a Cities & Regions for Cyclists (CRC) network member, Groningen is a true cycling city. With more than 200,000 inhabitants, the capital of its namesake province and sixth largest city in the Netherlands has positioned itself as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. In the municipality, cycling is the primary mode of transport for a wide spectrum of residents, reaching 46,5% of the modal split while cars only account for 19,5%.
We spoke with two policy advisors from the municipality’s urban planning department mobility team – Jacco Kuper, specialising in the bicycle path network, and Sarah Boshuizen, specialising in bicycle parking facilities, hubs and park + rides. Together, they shed light on the city’s approach to cycling, ultimately rooted in a simple principle: going “all-in”.
Indeed, cycling is not an afterthought in Groningen. The city fully embraces it, making the most of its compact and flat landscape. With active mobility a key focus of the Mobility Vision, cycling plays a crucial role in guiding urban development and city planning. Between 5 and 10 million euros per year are dedicated to developing cycling and encouraging residents to choose the bicycle.
“Cycling is leading in our spatial planning. In new neighbourhoods, such as Suikerzijde and Stadshavens, bicycle paths are built first. This allows new residents to develop the habit of cycling out of the neighbourhood instead of driving. By making cycling the default, we help residents make a sustainable choice naturally. Supporting and prioritising the bicycle in urban planning is something we pursue to the fullest.”
Last December, the city council approved a brand-new Cycling Strategy for the period 2025–2035, committing to strengthen Groningen’s position as an international cycling city. The strategy focuses on several pillars to tackle ongoing challenges including cycling infrastructure, parking facilities and road safety. Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen shared their excitement for what is to come and the city’s priorities.
“In the coming years, we’re going all in on developing new cycling routes to better spread out busy bicycle traffic across the city. Some bicycle routes in our city have around 20,000 cyclists per day! By offering options, cyclists will have more choices on where to ride, helping to keep things flowing smoothly and making every trip more enjoyable. We’re talking about 25+ new projects to make this happen! On top of that, we’re investing in widening and upgrading our existing cycling infrastructure – that’s over 320 km of current bicycle paths getting some love. And we’re adding multiple new bicycle parking facilities in and around the city centre, including at the Central Train Station and the Vismarkt, making it easier than ever to park your bike and head into town.”
The Strategy’s driving mindset is to place cyclists at the centre of urban development, increasing their numbers and ensuring that their journeys remain safe and comfortable. This means better connecting Groningen to nearby towns in the Province but also neighbourhoods within the city.
“Together with the Province of Groningen, the city of Groningen has developed seven bicycle highways in recent years, with three more currently in preparation. These high-quality routes connect surrounding villages directly to the city centre. Designed as wide and comfortable corridors where cyclists have priority, the bicycle highways have made commuting by bike faster and more attractive. As a result, the number of cyclists traveling from nearby villages has increased by an impressive 25 percent.”
But placing cyclists at the centre of urban development also means actively engaging local communities. Residents, neighbourhoods, the local cycling association and interest groups are all invited to contribute ideas and share their opinions on cycling projects, providing valuable insights. This is the case for Groningen’s new flagship infrastructure project, a bridge over the Van Starkenborg Canal replacing the old Paddepoelster Bridge struck by a cargo ship in 2018.
“After close collaboration with the national government, the Province, and local residents, we’ve arrived at a truly remarkable new design. The result? A stunning spiral-shaped bridge that carefully respects the unique open landscape on the northern edge of the city, while also fitting seamlessly into the built-up surroundings along the canal. The bridge will be high, slender, light, and futuristic in appearance – a real eye-catcher. Even better, it will connect with the famous long-distance hiking trail Pieterpad, one of the Netherlands’ most popular north–south walking routes. This isn’t just a piece of infrastructure – it’s set to become a true icon for Groningen and a powerful symbolic gateway welcoming everyone to Groningen Cycling City.”
Besides major cycling infrastructure, the City of Groningen also focuses on improving existing bicycle parking facilities and creating new ones – a simple but impactful change to make cyclists’ lives easier and public space more inviting. Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen retraced the steps of their development process, from temporary measures to final designs.
“With regard to bicycle parking, we started our first pilot with a short-term parking area, where people may park their bikes for 1 hour max. It is used very well by people who want to quickly visit one or two shops in the area. Besides that, we experimented with more salient parking lot demarcations, using white lines as a temporary situation. These lines helped increasing the structure in our existing bike parking sections and will be used for choosing our future design. […] In 2019 and 2022, we opened new bicycle parking facilities in the city centre. Cyclists can now park their bikes comfortably, sheltered in garages, free of charge and accessible 24/7. This helps reduce pressure on public space, creating a more accessible, pleasant and inviting public space. Furthermore, we continuously improve and increase the amount of Park+Bike facilities. 15% of all our Park + Ride users take the bike to reach their destination!”
Road safety is another pillar of the Cycling Strategy, especially as travel habits continue to evolve. After years of decline, cyclist casualties are rising again, influenced by factors such as mobile phone use in traffic and the growing popularity of faster, heavier e‑bikes on paths that were not originally designed for them. At the same time, more people than ever are cycling, adding pressure to already busy routes. The city’s focus is thus on reducing the number of accidents and optimise the design of cycle paths and complex intersections to better match today’s needs.
“We are determined to reverse this trend. By spreading bicycle traffic across multiple routes, widening existing paths and limiting access for mopeds and scooters where it can be done safely, we are creating calmer and safer cycling conditions. In addition, more than 40 kilometres of urban roads will be converted from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in the coming years, further improving road safety for everyone.”
To reach its goals, the City of Groningen is betting on innovation. The municipality has introduced a new traffic safety monitoring tool that uses police and ambulance data to identify dangerous spots in Groningen. It highlights where accidents happen most often, helping target improvements that make walking and cycling safer for everyone. This innovative approach to improving cycling conditions also extends to traffic rules. Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen shared how the City of Groningen has rethought the way cyclists cross intersections, an inspiring example for other cities exploring ways to safely combine bicycle and motor traffic.
“In Groningen, 31 intersections give all cyclists (from all directions) a green light at the same time. It may look chaotic, as the junction quickly fills with bicycles, but riders are encouraged to make eye contact, give space and cross with care. The benefits are clear. Cyclists can move diagonally, receive green lights more often and intersections can handle larger numbers at once. Most importantly, there are no conflicts between cyclists and motor traffic, significantly reducing the risk of serious accidents.”
The City of Groningen has a long history of responding creatively to shifting mobility needs. During the Covid‑19 pandemic, a surge in walking led to more tensions between pedestrians and cyclists in the city centre, prompting a shift toward a fairer distribution of space and greater mutual awareness. This ability to adjust remains crucial as streets grow busier, cycling numbers rise and space remains limited. A good example of this adaptive approach can be seen in an earlier project:
“In 2014, Groningen introduced the Smart University Route to tackle congestion on the busy cycling route to the University Campus. With nearly 25,000 cyclists per day, the pressure on a single route had become too high. By improving, promoting and monitoring two alternative routes, the city successfully spread bicycle traffic more evenly. This made each route calmer, safer and more comfortable, while improving overall flow without major infrastructure changes.”
Eager to exchange ideas beyond its own borders, the City of Groningen also actively connects with other cycling cities while sharing its own expertise on the global stage. As a matter of fact, recent visits to Ghent and Amsterdam helped refine the new Cycling Strategy, offering practical insights on improving public spaces, designing indoor bicycle parking facilities and managing mopeds and scooters on bicycle paths. At the same time, Groningen is becoming a destination for international cycling events. This includes the World Cycling Summit for tour operators, and, in 2026, a major Red Bull slope style mountain bike event, expected to draw more than 25,000 visitors.
As a final takeaway for cities beginning their own cycling journey, Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen offer a piece of advice that encapsulates Groningen’s vision of cycling:
“Go all-in. Investing in a few routes is not enough. Provide high-quality bicycle parking along the routes and at key destinations. Connect routes into one clear and coherent network. Ensure recognizability, comfort and smooth flow throughout. Create attractive facilities that cyclists like to use! And above all, create joy. Cycling is not only functional – it is freedom, energy and fun. Cycling adds to the quality of life.”
For more information on Cities & Regions for Cyclists, click here.
For more information on the City of Groningen, click here.
We spoke with two policy advisors from the municipality’s urban planning department mobility team – Jacco Kuper, specialising in the bicycle path network, and Sarah Boshuizen, specialising in bicycle parking facilities, hubs and park + rides. Together, they shed light on the city’s approach to cycling, ultimately rooted in a simple principle: going “all-in”.
Photo credit: City of Groningen
Indeed, cycling is not an afterthought in Groningen. The city fully embraces it, making the most of its compact and flat landscape. With active mobility a key focus of the Mobility Vision, cycling plays a crucial role in guiding urban development and city planning. Between 5 and 10 million euros per year are dedicated to developing cycling and encouraging residents to choose the bicycle.
“Cycling is leading in our spatial planning. In new neighbourhoods, such as Suikerzijde and Stadshavens, bicycle paths are built first. This allows new residents to develop the habit of cycling out of the neighbourhood instead of driving. By making cycling the default, we help residents make a sustainable choice naturally. Supporting and prioritising the bicycle in urban planning is something we pursue to the fullest.”
Architectural rendering of the new Stadshavens neighborhood
Photo credit: City of Groningen
Photo credit: City of Groningen
Last December, the city council approved a brand-new Cycling Strategy for the period 2025–2035, committing to strengthen Groningen’s position as an international cycling city. The strategy focuses on several pillars to tackle ongoing challenges including cycling infrastructure, parking facilities and road safety. Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen shared their excitement for what is to come and the city’s priorities.
“In the coming years, we’re going all in on developing new cycling routes to better spread out busy bicycle traffic across the city. Some bicycle routes in our city have around 20,000 cyclists per day! By offering options, cyclists will have more choices on where to ride, helping to keep things flowing smoothly and making every trip more enjoyable. We’re talking about 25+ new projects to make this happen! On top of that, we’re investing in widening and upgrading our existing cycling infrastructure – that’s over 320 km of current bicycle paths getting some love. And we’re adding multiple new bicycle parking facilities in and around the city centre, including at the Central Train Station and the Vismarkt, making it easier than ever to park your bike and head into town.”
The Strategy’s driving mindset is to place cyclists at the centre of urban development, increasing their numbers and ensuring that their journeys remain safe and comfortable. This means better connecting Groningen to nearby towns in the Province but also neighbourhoods within the city.
“Together with the Province of Groningen, the city of Groningen has developed seven bicycle highways in recent years, with three more currently in preparation. These high-quality routes connect surrounding villages directly to the city centre. Designed as wide and comfortable corridors where cyclists have priority, the bicycle highways have made commuting by bike faster and more attractive. As a result, the number of cyclists traveling from nearby villages has increased by an impressive 25 percent.”
Photo credit: City of Groningen
But placing cyclists at the centre of urban development also means actively engaging local communities. Residents, neighbourhoods, the local cycling association and interest groups are all invited to contribute ideas and share their opinions on cycling projects, providing valuable insights. This is the case for Groningen’s new flagship infrastructure project, a bridge over the Van Starkenborg Canal replacing the old Paddepoelster Bridge struck by a cargo ship in 2018.
“After close collaboration with the national government, the Province, and local residents, we’ve arrived at a truly remarkable new design. The result? A stunning spiral-shaped bridge that carefully respects the unique open landscape on the northern edge of the city, while also fitting seamlessly into the built-up surroundings along the canal. The bridge will be high, slender, light, and futuristic in appearance – a real eye-catcher. Even better, it will connect with the famous long-distance hiking trail Pieterpad, one of the Netherlands’ most popular north–south walking routes. This isn’t just a piece of infrastructure – it’s set to become a true icon for Groningen and a powerful symbolic gateway welcoming everyone to Groningen Cycling City.”
New Paddepoelster bridge
Photo credit: City of Groningen
Besides major cycling infrastructure, the City of Groningen also focuses on improving existing bicycle parking facilities and creating new ones – a simple but impactful change to make cyclists’ lives easier and public space more inviting. Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen retraced the steps of their development process, from temporary measures to final designs.
“With regard to bicycle parking, we started our first pilot with a short-term parking area, where people may park their bikes for 1 hour max. It is used very well by people who want to quickly visit one or two shops in the area. Besides that, we experimented with more salient parking lot demarcations, using white lines as a temporary situation. These lines helped increasing the structure in our existing bike parking sections and will be used for choosing our future design. […] In 2019 and 2022, we opened new bicycle parking facilities in the city centre. Cyclists can now park their bikes comfortably, sheltered in garages, free of charge and accessible 24/7. This helps reduce pressure on public space, creating a more accessible, pleasant and inviting public space. Furthermore, we continuously improve and increase the amount of Park+Bike facilities. 15% of all our Park + Ride users take the bike to reach their destination!”
Photo credit: City of Groningen
Road safety is another pillar of the Cycling Strategy, especially as travel habits continue to evolve. After years of decline, cyclist casualties are rising again, influenced by factors such as mobile phone use in traffic and the growing popularity of faster, heavier e‑bikes on paths that were not originally designed for them. At the same time, more people than ever are cycling, adding pressure to already busy routes. The city’s focus is thus on reducing the number of accidents and optimise the design of cycle paths and complex intersections to better match today’s needs.
“We are determined to reverse this trend. By spreading bicycle traffic across multiple routes, widening existing paths and limiting access for mopeds and scooters where it can be done safely, we are creating calmer and safer cycling conditions. In addition, more than 40 kilometres of urban roads will be converted from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in the coming years, further improving road safety for everyone.”
To reach its goals, the City of Groningen is betting on innovation. The municipality has introduced a new traffic safety monitoring tool that uses police and ambulance data to identify dangerous spots in Groningen. It highlights where accidents happen most often, helping target improvements that make walking and cycling safer for everyone. This innovative approach to improving cycling conditions also extends to traffic rules. Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen shared how the City of Groningen has rethought the way cyclists cross intersections, an inspiring example for other cities exploring ways to safely combine bicycle and motor traffic.
“In Groningen, 31 intersections give all cyclists (from all directions) a green light at the same time. It may look chaotic, as the junction quickly fills with bicycles, but riders are encouraged to make eye contact, give space and cross with care. The benefits are clear. Cyclists can move diagonally, receive green lights more often and intersections can handle larger numbers at once. Most importantly, there are no conflicts between cyclists and motor traffic, significantly reducing the risk of serious accidents.”
Photo credit: City of Groningen
The City of Groningen has a long history of responding creatively to shifting mobility needs. During the Covid‑19 pandemic, a surge in walking led to more tensions between pedestrians and cyclists in the city centre, prompting a shift toward a fairer distribution of space and greater mutual awareness. This ability to adjust remains crucial as streets grow busier, cycling numbers rise and space remains limited. A good example of this adaptive approach can be seen in an earlier project:
“In 2014, Groningen introduced the Smart University Route to tackle congestion on the busy cycling route to the University Campus. With nearly 25,000 cyclists per day, the pressure on a single route had become too high. By improving, promoting and monitoring two alternative routes, the city successfully spread bicycle traffic more evenly. This made each route calmer, safer and more comfortable, while improving overall flow without major infrastructure changes.”
Photo credit: City of Groningen
Eager to exchange ideas beyond its own borders, the City of Groningen also actively connects with other cycling cities while sharing its own expertise on the global stage. As a matter of fact, recent visits to Ghent and Amsterdam helped refine the new Cycling Strategy, offering practical insights on improving public spaces, designing indoor bicycle parking facilities and managing mopeds and scooters on bicycle paths. At the same time, Groningen is becoming a destination for international cycling events. This includes the World Cycling Summit for tour operators, and, in 2026, a major Red Bull slope style mountain bike event, expected to draw more than 25,000 visitors.
As a final takeaway for cities beginning their own cycling journey, Jacco Kuper and Sarah Boshuizen offer a piece of advice that encapsulates Groningen’s vision of cycling:
“Go all-in. Investing in a few routes is not enough. Provide high-quality bicycle parking along the routes and at key destinations. Connect routes into one clear and coherent network. Ensure recognizability, comfort and smooth flow throughout. Create attractive facilities that cyclists like to use! And above all, create joy. Cycling is not only functional – it is freedom, energy and fun. Cycling adds to the quality of life.”
For more information on Cities & Regions for Cyclists, click here.
For more information on the City of Groningen, click here.
