Tips for driving in the Netherlands?

[stejb5]

I am shortly going to be travelling around the Netherlands for a few days. I am a bit apprehensive in terms of the way junctions work particularly with cyclists and cycle lanes as I believe it is different to the UK? I believe that cyclists generally have right of way in the Netherlands, is this correct?

I've seen the roundabouts with the red cycle rings round the outside. I understand how these work, you basically have to give way to any cycle traffic on the ring, however I have a couple of questions about general junctions..

When you are at a set of traffic lights and are turning right or left, are the cyclists in the cycle lane (parallel to the road) held on a red light themselves or do you have to give way to the cycle lane as I am turning right/left?

How about when turning right/left down a side road across the path of a cycle lane, do you have to give way to the cyclists on the cycle lane in this instance?

Are there any road markings/painting that will help me work out who has right of way?

Is there any thing else I need to look out for?

Thanks

[Chris Bertram]

I am shortly going to be travelling around the Netherlands for a few days. I am a bit apprehensive in terms of the way junctions work particularly with cyclists and cycle lanes as I believe it is different to the UK? I believe that cyclists generally have right of way in the Netherlands, is this correct?

I've seen the roundabouts with the red cycle rings round the outside. I understand how these work, you basically have to give way to any cycle traffic on the ring, however I have a couple of questions about general junctions..

When you are at a set of traffic lights and are turning right or left, are the cyclists in the cycle lane (parallel to the road) held on a red light themselves or do you have to give way to the cycle lane as I am turning right/left?

How about when turning right/left down a side road across the path of a cycle lane, do you have to give way to the cyclists on the cycle lane in this instance?

Are there any road markings/painting that will help me work out who has right of way?

Is there any thing else I need to look out for?

Thanks

Where the traffic signals are concerned, cyclists are normally given their own phase of the lights, which may be an all-ways green. There may also be separate lanes and phases for buses/trams, so watch out for those as well.

[Bryn666]

If in doubt, give way to it.

But generally most Dutch junctions are clearly marked so you shouldn't struggle too much.

[Andy P]

As in many European countries:

There is a general "priority to the right" rule, unless otherwise indicated. This applies mainly to minor roads, as priority is usually indicated on main roads.

If turning right, give way to cycles in a cycle lane on your right who are going straight on. This applies equally at ordinary junctions and traffic lights. I know from experience in Germany that this takes a bit of getting used to for a UK car driver - you have to check your door mirror if approaching the turn slowly.

If turning either way at traffic lights, be aware that pedestrians may have the green man, and have priority.

[Johnathan404]

Drive like you would in any new region: cautiously, assertively and with suspicion.

Other than that it's a pretty easy country to drive in. I'd advise sticking to the speed limits.

[Nwallace]

Marked Junctions; Whoever has the white triangles on the road "should" be giving way; however bear in mind that there is strict liability on the operator of motor vehicles and that light motorcycles are allowed to use the "fietspad" unless otherwise indicated.

From what I've seen, like here it's mostly all marked on the road but that's been as passenger or cyclist.

Also residential roads (in Nord Holand at least) will likely be red brick paved and be shared by all users.

[stejb5]

Thanks a lot guys, you've been unbelievably helpful. Exactly the sort of thing I was looking for!

[Vierwielen]

As in many European countries:

There is a general "priority to the right" rule, unless otherwise indicated. This applies mainly to minor roads, as priority is usually indicated on main roads.

If turning right, give way to cycles in a cycle lane on your right who are going straight on. This applies equally at ordinary junctions and traffic lights. I know from experience in Germany that this takes a bit of getting used to for a UK car driver - you have to check your door mirror if approaching the turn slowly.

If turning either way at traffic lights, be aware that pedestrians may have the green man, and have priority.

In urban areas, the "priority from the right rule" is normally overridden by "priority road" signs on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h. However is areas (eg housing estates) where the speed limit is 30 km/h, there are often no signs, so the "priority from the right" is strictly applied. I found that the driving strategy in such an area is to drive to the next intersection, come to a near stop and check the side road.

BTW, in most cases the "British rule" applies to roundabouts (traffic on the roundabout and hence from the left has right of way).

[Nwallace]

This junction has a fair bit going on
https://goo.gl/maps/X4KPoJ6Xpfw

Have a click around; the roads at the side become fietspads just before the giveway line with mopeds told to go on the main carriageway just a bit before, your'e on a priority route until just before this junction, but now the markings show you have to give way to both the bike roundabout and the pedestrian crossing (and the bikes have to give way to the left on the round about too)

Back up the road a bit towards Alkmaar and the crossing of Oosterweg is on the priority route,
https://goo.gl/maps/9UsvW3LpA7r

Also note that the no entry signs have "except cycles and mopeds" on them but the one way sign gives no warning of oncoming two wheelers.

[Vierwielen]

This junction has a fair bit going on
https://goo.gl/maps/X4KPoJ6Xpfw

Have a click around; the roads at the side become fietspads just before the giveway line with mopeds told to go on the main carriageway just a bit before, your'e on a priority route until just before this junction, but now the markings show you have to give way to both the bike roundabout and the pedestrian crossing (and the bikes have to give way to the left on the round about too)

The Dutch are aware of the congestion that can occur by having bicycles holding up motorised traffic, hence this roundabout!

[Vierwielen]

[Deleted - duplicate of previous posting]

[Nwallace]

This junction has a fair bit going on
https://goo.gl/maps/X4KPoJ6Xpfw

Have a click around; the roads at the side become fietspads just before the giveway line with mopeds told to go on the main carriageway just a bit before, your'e on a priority route until just before this junction, but now the markings show you have to give way to both the bike roundabout and the pedestrian crossing (and the bikes have to give way to the left on the round about too)

The Dutch are aware of the congestion that can occur by having bicycles holding up motorised traffic, hence this roundabout!

Ach you've changed it from the Stavanger on to the Eindhoven one.


I've not been to Eindhoven, and I didn't see much reason to stop there, maybe I have a reason now... although it's quite a long cycle for my friends that live there to do (about 7 hours for me).

[Viator]

Back up the road a bit towards Alkmaar and the crossing of Oosterweg is on the priority route,
https://goo.gl/maps/9UsvW3LpA7r

Also note that the no entry signs have "except cycles and mopeds" on them but the one way sign gives no warning of oncoming two wheelers.

...except that it does!
https://goo.gl/maps/B6wgjSoWonq

[Vierwielen]

This junction has a fair bit going on
https://goo.gl/maps/X4KPoJ6Xpfw

Have a click around; the roads at the side become fietspads just before the giveway line with mopeds told to go on the main carriageway just a bit before, your'e on a priority route until just before this junction, but now the markings show you have to give way to both the bike roundabout and the pedestrian crossing (and the bikes have to give way to the left on the round about too)

The Dutch are aware of the congestion that can occur by having bicycles holding up motorised traffic, hence this roundabout!

Ach you've changed it from the Stavanger on to the Eindhoven one.

I've not been to Eindhoven, and I didn't see much reason to stop there, maybe I have a reason now... although it's quite a long cycle for my friends that live there to do (about 7 hours for me).

The Stavanger one was an error - I was writing about the Dutch one. Now that I look at it more closely, I realise that I stayed at that Campanile Hotel in 1999 and ate there a few times when I was working in Eindhoven that year.

[Nwallace]

Back up the road a bit towards Alkmaar and the crossing of Oosterweg is on the priority route,
https://goo.gl/maps/9UsvW3LpA7r

Also note that the no entry signs have "except cycles and mopeds" on them but the one way sign gives no warning of oncoming two wheelers.

...except that it does!
https://goo.gl/maps/B6wgjSoWonq

Yeah not sure how I missed that!

[stejb5]

1. Say if I was at this junction

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.52591 ... 312!8i6656

and the lights turned green, do I still have to give way to the cycle lane cutting across my path, or will they be held on red? As I thought the triangles painted on the road signify that I need to give way, right? Otherwise what's the point of those triangles being there?

2. What about if I was turning right here, when the arrow turns green. Do I need to give way to the cycle lane, or will they be held on red?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.52612 ... 312!8i6656

Man it's confusing!

[Viator]

1. Say if I was at this junction

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.52591 ... 312!8i6656

and the lights turned green, do I still have to give way to the cycle lane cutting across my path, or will they be held on red? As I thought the triangles painted on the road signify that I need to give way, right? Otherwise what's the point of those triangles being there?

2. What about if I was turning right here, when the arrow turns green. Do I need to give way to the cycle lane, or will they be held on red?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.52612 ... 312!8i6656

Man it's confusing!

I believe you must always give way to any moving cyclists on a cycleway protected by "sharks' teeth" as in your examples. They are there precisely because the signals for cycles do not necessarily change at the same time as those for cars etc. and, as in your second example, you might well be seeing a green right-turn arrow at the same time as cyclists on the parallel cycleway are being shown a green straight-ahead signal by their own lights: they have priority.

Should it be the case that it's the road, not the cycleway, that has priority by default, then that is indicated by sharks' teeth facing the cyclist -- as in this example: https://goo.gl/maps/Bnk9FWpGdRp.

[LeedsKing]

Always watch for cyclists and trams. Don't give way to the bikes unless they have their own green. Only bike lanes that cross and there are give way triangles painted because there is also a zebra crossing need to be yielded to. And roads you have to give way to to enter of course. I am in NL now. Drivers seem as impatient as Germans, but without the same adherence to the speed limits that there are. Watch for people on RO/CZ/PL/BG plates, as usual, of course.

[Viator]

Don't give way to the bikes unless they have their own green.

You won't necessarily know what indications are being shown to cyclists, though: that's why I said "moving cyclists". If the cycleway is protected by sharks' teeth, it's always best to assume that any moving cyclist does have priority (even if (s)he technically may not have!) -- bearing in mind, too, that in the case of a collision Dutch law provides that -- unless it can be proved that a cyclist intended to collide with you -- the motorist is always liable for 50% of the damages payable (100% if the cyclist is under 14).

Here are two films which are perhaps of direct interest more to cyclists than to motorists (though most adult Netherlanders are both, of course):
https://youtu.be/-GcocOUVRa4
https://vimeo.com/77084110
(Apologies if either of these has been posted here before.)