The Netherlands has a bicycle network of numbered junctions that can be used to plot a (recreational) cycle route. The advantage over previous systems is the great freedom with which routes can be planned.
The system started in Belgium and is slowly but surely finding its way to the North of the Netherlands.
This video shows and explains the system.
Online route planners are only in Dutch; but this one is quite clear: http://www.fietseropuit.nl/
Cyclists may have a hard time getting lost in the Netherlands modern signposts with specific cycling directions are everywhere for them and the traditional signs the so called mushrooms still exist to recreational routes have their own type of science and they are mostly regional but these signs are for cross-country long-distance routes
Recently an entirely new system was added to all this it is a system of numbered junctions the signs with numbers can be seen everywhere not only in the center of large cities but also in the countryside so how does this system work there is an elaborate network of cycle routes and
Each Junction is numbered from each Junction there are signs to the nearest Junction this makes it easy to plot a route going from here to here would be possible via this route it can be planned online and during this ride all you need is a note with a few
Numbers here is an example we follow the signs to Junction 38 the route takes us past interesting sites we continue until we reach this sign telling us you’re reaching Junction 38 at this Junction we find a sign showing the Junction’s number and the map showing the Junction’s position and the
Route to the nearest junctions for which we find new signposts on the street there are some extra signs too like this one from the network to a city centre and this is a sign to a bicycle cafe for refreshments during a longer ride most junctions have a map so planning
Ahead is not even necessary to find the best routes which are as always in the Netherlands kept far away from motorized traffic
17 Comments
Nicely made video…! The audio could be a bit better, but I like it anyway. The message is clear and The Netherlands is such a good country to live in if you're a cyclist.
Personaly I haven't used the 'knooppunten' yet. I mostly travel with GPS if I have to do long distances (for instance from Groningen half way to the country). Maybe on my next recreational trip I'll try using it.
Very interesting. I've seen those, but I had no idea what they mean.
You said you can plan your journey online. What's the website URL?
Like Covidiu, I would also like the URL to the webisite where I can plan a route using the junction numbering system. I arrive in Holland at the end of the month for a weeks tour of Holland and this would safe me carrying maps. Can anyone help? Thanks
@Mavisness since Covidiu asked I have put the link in the infobox.
Many thanks for the link, off to check it out.
I used the knooppunten system very often last year. I cycled around my homeplace Apeldoorn alot. This year I will start to do 2-days vacations with help from the knooppunten and taking part of vrienden p de fiets, so I can stay overnight
I just got done with a five-day "fietstocht" from Amsterdam, to Amersfoort, to Utrecht, and back to Amsterdam. We used this system the whole way and it was marvelous. If you'd like to pick up maps in Amsterdam there's an excellent selection of bike maps in a shop called A La Carte, and they also have an entire bookshelf devoted to books on cycling around the Netherlands, both in English and Dutch. Thanks for the video!!
fantastic….seeya soon
Niet alle goede fietsinitiatieven komen uit Nederland. 't Knooppunten-netwerk is eigenlijk Belgisch. Het eerste netwerk lag in het noordoosten van Belgisch Limburg.
Ben trouwens geen fan van het netwerk in NO-Brabant. Al die bordjes centrum… Welk centrum? Had dan gewoon een knooppunt in dat centum gelegd. Ik ben al eens in het donker flink omgereden omdat ik per ongeluk in 'centrum' van Vorstenbosch belandde terwijl ik in nistelrode had willen uitkomen.
……a Bicycle Cafe !,….that beats all ! I'm going to have to move to Holland !
How did they get a 1940's info film guy to narrate this? This proves time travel exists!
Probably the only major bicycle innovation that comes from Belgium (Limburg). The idea of this system came from a similar system that was used in mines to find your way through the countless underground shafts and tunnels. How interresting!
Ha, I knew it. The Netherlands IS filled with mushrooms.
So simple and clever. Wish we had quarter of that infrastructure here in Hungary.
a couple years ago the app 'fietsknoop' launched, in which you can see all the numbered junctions in your area and plan routes ahead with or without navigation
2:55 How do you read this sign? Is it saying that Junction 23 is straight or right?
Film van de ‘bedenker’ van dit netwerk: https://youtu.be/M3nUUmNzpo4