As any traveler who has ever visited can attest, biking is big in the Netherlands. Moreover, it is a wildly popular activity for locals and tourists alike, and a great way to explore an area. The entire infrastructure of the country – the road and transport system – has been designed with cyclists in mind. The latest example features one of the largest bicycle parking garages in the world being unveiled in The Hague. With room for 8,000 bikes, visiting this facility feels like stepping into an ultra-modern, futuristic museum or airport.
Located underneath a plaza right in front of the central station, this gigantic parking garage makes it incredibly convenient for users to access trains and explore the wider area. The garage was recently completed, with an urban development project for the above-ground area currently underway. Once finished, commercial and residential buildings on the site will have exits linked to the bike garage for seamless use. Unlike some bike garages that are dark and cramped, this new facility is bright and spacious. Additionally, it features electronic smart directional markings that show visitors the exact number of vacant spaces in each aisle as they cycle through the building. The aisles are generous, and the back-lit glass walls contribute to its modern feel.
Listed among iBestTravel’s top choices for experiences in the Netherlands, cycling is often celebrated as a fantastic way to see both the city and the countryside. Therefore, with bikes available to rent almost anywhere and a flat terrain that makes traveling at a leisurely pace easy, few countries are as bike-friendly as the Netherlands. It boasts thousands of kilometers of bike lanes and paths that link most parts of the country together, with countless scenic routes to explore.
“Cycling is good for people and for the environment. In Dutch cities, it is the most convenient and often quickest way to go from A to B. Furthermore, since COVID-19, the bicycle has become an increasingly popular means of transport,” said Rene Toneman, Partner at creative agency SILO involved in the project.
He elaborated that the design was influenced by one of the Netherlands’ most celebrated graphic artists. “By subtly weaving together facade elements of iconic buildings in The Hague, we have created a luminous cityscape reminiscent of the works of Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher. Our inspiration came from the impression gained while cycling through a city at high speed—buildings appear to blend seamlessly into one another. Visiting a bicycle parking garage has never felt so much like a museum experience, and best of all, it’s free to enter!”
