NETHERLANDS LIAISON OFFICE

That's precisely why we're needed. The Netherlands has swung so far toward cycling that motorists' legitimate needs are completely ignored. Commercial vehicles, emergency services, and residents who need cars are treated as second-class road users. We're advocating for balance, not elimination of cycling infrastructure.

The ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club) is primarily a service organization for members. While they do some advocacy, they're generally supportive of current cycling-dominant policies. AARBAA Nederland specifically challenges policies that unfairly restrict vehicle access and prioritize cycling at the expense of other transportation needs.

Woonerven (shared spaces) work well in some residential contexts, but their expansion to major through-routes creates dangerous ambiguity and significantly reduces vehicle capacity. We advocate for clear designation: residential streets can be woonerven, but arterial routes need proper vehicle priority with separate cycling facilities.

No. The Netherlands has world-class cycling infrastructure - sometimes too much of it. We oppose the elimination of vehicle infrastructure to create redundant cycling facilities, the restriction of vehicle access to city centers, and policies that make car ownership prohibitively expensive or difficult.

Admittedly, the Netherlands is our most challenging environment due to deeply entrenched pro-cycling culture. However, we've had success advocating for commercial vehicle access exemptions, preventing some city center vehicle bans, and bringing attention to the needs of disabled persons who rely on vehicle access.