Summary
Over half of all Dutch perceive themselves to be consistent cyclists.
Over half (54%) of the Dutch consider themselves to be die-hard cyclists, ‘unless they can’t help it’. A quarter of all Dutch describe themselves as ‘inveterate motorists’. This means that - in their own perception - approximately one-fifth often use other means of transport (bus, moped, walking) or intermittently use bicycle or car.

Bicycle popular means of transport to town centre, particularly for errands.
The predominance of bicycles diminishes with increased attention to specific reasons for visiting the town centre. The bicycle is often used to run errands in the town centre (56% prefer to cycle). For a longer stay in town (e.g. for shopping or an evening out) the bicycle is less popular than the car (approximately one third will take the bicycle as compared to approximately four-tenths who prefer the car).

Cycling is healthy and a fast way to reach the town centre. The reasons cited most often for cycling to the town centre are related to health (it is healthy to cycle, 45%) and speed issues (it is a way to reach the destination quickly, 41%). The disadvantages of driving a car are sometimes mentioned as well to explain why the bicycle is used (driving is expensive and there is no parking space in the town centre).

The bicycle is not often used from altruistic considerations (for instance because it is good for the environment or there is already enough congestion). The fact that a choice in favour of car or bicycle is mainly made on the basis of considerations rooted in personal advantage, was also apparent in the group discussions.

The car is mainly used because of the amount of luggage and the weather.
Three-quarters of motorists indicate they use their cars as a means of transport to the town centre due to the amount of luggage that can be carried in a car. In addition people often use their cars when the weather is bad (55%). Driving a car is also experienced as comfortable (26%).

Cycling is fun, fast, relaxed and gives a sense of freedom, but it is also dangerous and strenuous.
Cycling to the town centre is a strong product. In comparison to driving a car, cycling is much more often associated with ‘fun’, ‘relaxing’, ‘gives a sense of freedom’, and ‘fastest way to get from home to the town centre’. Besides these mainly positive associations cycling is also more often seen as ‘strenuous’ and ‘dangerous’ compared to driving a car.

Introduction of cycling miles an opportunity! In the qualitative initial stage of the study a number of campaigns suggested by Fietsberaad, aimed at promoting bicycle use, have been tested. The campaigns most popular in the initial stage have been proposed to the inhabitants in the qualitative study. The Dutch have high expectations of the introduction of cycling miles (where a chip is placed into a bicycle. Each time you enter the town centre by bicycle this is recorded and points are awarded. These can be saved and redeemed for nice items). Four out of every ten Dutchmen feel the introduction of cycling miles will promote bicycle use. According to the Dutch this has more potential for success than a lottery with prizes, sending information packages and saving for saddlebags. Yet the latter might have potential as well, considering the high percentage of Dutch taking the car because of the large amount of luggage.

Bicycle paths, bicycle parking facilities and traffic safety should be above reproach. The bicycle paths and roads towards the town centre are generally considered to be bicycle-friendly. Good bicycle paths are crucial to cycling to the town centre. This goes for traffic safety as well. When there are no good bicycle paths, this is a reason to use other means of transport. However, the presence of good bicycle paths is not a decisive factor in the decision to cycle. The absence of good bicycle paths may also be used as an excuse for not cycling.

Almost four out of ten inhabitants state there are insufficient guarded bicycle parking facilities in the town centre. A common point of attention is the number of bicycle stands near shops. This is often insufficient.

Focus on ‘contemplators’.
Roughly three groups of traffic participants can be distinguished:
1. the preferably motorists (25%), characterised by frequent car use. This group consists of inveterate motorists who are very hard to entice onto a bicycle. Motorists are often doers (brain style do, network or plan) who will only switch to another mode of transport if this is in their interest, but they will need to ‘experience’ the other mode first. More often than cyclists, motorists feel social safety needs to be improved on the route from home to the town centre.
2. the cyclists (28%). These always cycle, unless they can’t help it, and therefore need no encouragement to cycle more often. Cyclists are often intuitive thinkers (brain style synthesise or feel) who prefer the bicycle on the basis of feelings. More often than motorists, cyclists feel traffic safety needs to be improved on the route from home to the town centre. It is recommended that cyclists be rewarded so their behaviour is maintained or even improved upon.
3. the contemplators (37%). This group uses both bicycle and car for trips to the town centre. The reasons for using the bicycle are the fact that it is healthy and fast, as well as the difficulty in finding parking space. Like the cyclists, the contemplators associate freedom and relaxation with cycling, instead of driving. Slightly more often than other groups this group feels the comfort of the cycling route to the town centre could do with improvements. They feel they might cycle more often. Of the suggested campaigns, the contemplators feel cycling miles to be the best idea. Contemplators often are methodical rationalists, gathering all kinds of information and then deciding in favour of bicycle or car (brain style plan or generalise). Of these three groups the contemplators have the highest potential for future bicycle use.

2.3 General conclusions
Data from literature, discussions with municipal ‘bicycle experts’ and Fietsberaad, the qualitative initial stage as well as the quantitative follow-up study have made it clear that the decision to use a specific means of transport is dependent on various factors. Some of these, like weather conditions, can not be influenced. Other factors are hard to influence, such as breaking long-standing habits. Some people, for instance, always drive to the gym but cycle to their swimming lessons.