The number of transfers by bicycle has grown by twenty per cent since 1986. Particularly in the city centre and the 19th-century neighbourhoods of Amsterdam bicycles are used most. The growth in bicycle use led to a larger percentage (+7%) for the bicycle in the modal split (transportation modality choices). In 2004 the modal split looked like this: car 41%, public transport 22% and bicycle 37%. Although bicycle possession and use have grown strongly over the past twenty years, a recent survey by the office of Research and Statistics (O+S) demonstrates that one third of the inhabitants still use their cars for relatively short distances. Over these distances (up to five kilometres) the bicycle is an excellent alternative.
This long-range plan, Meerjarenbeleidsplan Fiets 2006 – 2010, provides a description how local authorities intend to tackle bottlenecks in order to promote bicycle use in the years to come. Ambitions for 2006-2010:
- Creation of more bicycle parking facilities and raising occupancy figures for parkings.
- Continue to fight bicycle theft, aiming at a 10% reduction in 2005 to 6% reduction in 2010.
- Provide the ‘missing links’ in the Hoofdnet Fiets.
- Promotion of cyclists’ traffic safety.
- Good management and maintenance of the Hoofdnet Fiets.
- Upgrade the weak links in the Hoofdnet Fiets.
- More attention in city communications for the urban importance of bicycles.
- Better and faster from plan to implementation.