A visit to Utrecht isn't complete without a bike tour through the city. It's the most popular way of experiencing the Dutch bike culture. Many touristic highlights in the Utrecht region are within cycling distance. Cycle paths will take you anywhere you like. Here are some tips for finding your way around Utrecht.
Finding your way around Utrecht. Photo © Holland-Cycling.com
A great way of getting around Utrecht - for both residents and tourists - is by bike. It's convenient, as you can cover more distance than on foot, it's fast and you can stop to look around and take photos wherever you want. Utrecht has good cycling infrastructure. Most of Utrecht's main streets have separate cycle lanes and a network of cycle paths takes you through the city fast - and away from other traffic whenever possible.
Many touristic highlights in the Utrecht region, such as Gouda and the Dutch Waterline, are also within cycling distance. There are good through cycle routes that will take you from the centre of Utrecht to the surrounding countryside and villages. It's a great way to experience the Dutch cycling culture!
Cycle maps of Utrecht
To find your way around Utrecht, you can use a regular tourist map, but there are also special cycle maps of Utrecht and the region. These not only give the touristic sights, but also help you find the most bike-friendly routes through the city and the surrounding countryside. The maps are made together with the Dutch Cyclists' Union and can be purchased at VVV tourist information offices and bookshops.
For a review of this series of cycle maps see: Amsterdam by bike maps reviewed.
Utrecht op de fiets
Cycle map of the city of Utrecht by Cito-plan
- scale 1:13,500
- all cycle paths
- bike friendly cycle routes through the city (marked in green)
- bicycle services (bike rental, bike parking, bike repair)
- touristic highlights
- public transport
- street names
Regio Utrecht op de fiets
Cycle map of the Utrecht region by Cito-plan
- scale 1:40,000
- all cycle paths, numbered cycle network
- bicycle services (bike rental, bike parking, bike repair)
- touristic highlights
- street names
Provincie Utrecht-Oost op de fiets
Cycle map of the eastern part of the Utrecht region by Cito-plan
- scale 1:50,000
- all cycle paths, numbered cycle network
- bicycle services (bike rental, bike parking, bike repair)
- touristic highlights
- street names
Provincie Utrecht-West op de fiets
Cycle map of the western part of the Utrecht region by Cito-plan
- scale 1:50,000
- all cycle paths, numbered cycle network
- bicycle services (bike rental, bike parking, bike repair)
- touristic highlights
- street names
Of course there are cycle maps of the whole of Holland that also cover the Utrecht region. For an overview, go to Planning your route - maps & books.
Signposting for cyclists
Dutch cycle paths are so well signposted, that even if you might not always know precisely where you are, you can hardly get lost. While the regular signposts for motorists are all blue, the signposts for cyclists are red and white or green and white.
Following the signposts of the numbered cycle network. Photo © Holland-Cycling.com
The red and white signposts are for cyclists and moped riders. The green and white signposts are only for cyclists. These will usually take you along more scenic routes where mopeds are not allowed.
Green and white signposts are not only used for signing destinations. They are also used for signposting the national long-distance cycle routes (LF routes) and the numbered cycle network that takes you along scenic routes through the whole of Holland.
Also see:
