Dutch cycling glossary

Priority / right of way

Used on signs and in traffic rules to indicate who goes first.

Give way / yield

Appears on triangular yield signs. Verlenen means to grant - you are granting priority to others.

Priority road

A road marked with a yellow diamond sign where you have priority at every junction.

Shark teeth

White triangles painted on the road. Pointing at you = you yield.

Right

As in right-before-left - rechts heeft voorrang.

Left

Direction. Traffic from your left must yield to you at unmarked junctions.

Deflecting priority

A priority road that bends - the priority follows the bend, not the straight road.

Cycle path

On rectangular white signs with blue border - marks an optional cycle path.

Bike street

A road where cyclists are primary users. Cars are guests and may not overtake.

Cycle path (older term)

Rijwiel is an older Dutch word for bicycle. Same as fietspad in practice.

Cyclist

Seen on signs and sub-signs. Plural: fietsers.

Cyclists crossing

A warning to car drivers that cyclists may cross the road ahead.

Car is a guest

Seen on fietsstraat signs. Means cars must defer to cyclists on this road.

Moped

A motorised two-wheeler. Some cycle paths allow bromfietsen, others don't.

Low-speed moped

A moped limited to 25km/h. Allowed on most cycle paths.

Fast e-bike (up to 45km/h)

Legally classified as a moped. Must ride on the road, not cycle paths. Helmet required.

Forbidden / prohibited

The most common word on Dutch prohibition signs.

No entry

Seen on round red signs with a white bar. No vehicles may enter.

No overtaking

Applies to all road users including cyclists, not just cars.

No driving through / don't block the junction

Similar to 'don't block the box' in English.

Closed

A road that is gesloten is closed to traffic.

Closed off / blocked

Often seen on temporary road closure signs.

One-way traffic

The road operates in one direction only.

No passage / no through road

Means the road doesn't connect through to anywhere.

Pavement / sidewalk

Cycling on the stoep is illegal.

Except / exempt

The key sub-sign word. Uitgezonderd fietsers = except cyclists.

Destination traffic

Residents, deliveries, and visitors to a specific address may enter.

Permit holders

Only people with a permit may enter or park here.

Watch out / be careful

A general warning seen on signs and heard from other road users.

Danger

Seen on triangular warning signs.

Drive / ride slowly

Often seen near schools, residential zones, or construction.

Poor road surface

Warning that the road or cycle path surface is in bad condition.

Speed bump

Common in 30km/h zones and residential areas.

Road narrowing

Warning that the road or path gets narrower ahead.

Road

The general word for road.

Carriageway

The road surface itself, as opposed to the shoulder or pavement.

Lane

A single traffic lane within a road.

Shoulder / verge

The strip of grass or gravel beside the road.

Junction / intersection

Any point where two or more roads meet.

Roundabout

Circular junction. Dutch roundabouts often have separate cycle rings.

Crossing point

A designated place to cross the road.

Pedestrian crossing / zebra crossing

The wonderfully long Dutch word for a zebra crossing.

Residential zone / living street

Pedestrians have priority, speed limit is walking pace.

30km/h zone

The speed limit on most Dutch city streets. Applies to cyclists too.

Dead-end road

The road doesn't connect through.

Two-way traffic

Traffic moves in both directions.

To cross

Crossing a road or junction.

To overtake

Passing another road user.

To turn

Rechts afslaan = turn right. Links afslaan = turn left.

Straight ahead

Continue in the same direction.

To brake

Slow down or stop.

To dismount

Get off your bicycle. Required in some pedestrian zones.

To ring (the bell)

Use your bell to signal your presence.

Bicycle parking / storage

A designated place to park your bicycle, often underground at train stations.

Traffic light

Generic term for any traffic signal.

Traffic light (informal)

The everyday word for traffic light.

Traffic sign

Any road sign.

Road marking

Painted lines, arrows, or symbols on the road surface.

Bicycle tunnel

An underpass for cyclists, common at busy junctions and railway crossings.

Bicycle bridge

An overpass for cyclists.

Bus lane

Usually off-limits to cyclists unless specifically signed.

Tram tracks / tram rails

Cross at 90 degrees to avoid getting your wheel trapped.

Fine

A financial penalty for a traffic violation.

Ticket / citation

The physical or digital notice of a fine.

Police

Dutch police actively enforce cycling laws, especially in city centres.

Enforcement

Traffic enforcement, often done by municipal officers as well as police.

Mandatory / required

Verplicht fietspad = mandatory cycle path.

Driving licence

Not required for regular cycling, but relevant for speed pedelec riders.

Liability

In Dutch law, motorists bear a higher liability burden in collisions with cyclists.

Rain

Expect rain regularly. Most Dutch cyclists just keep riding.

Wind

The Netherlands is flat and windy. Headwinds are a daily reality.

Slippery conditions

Warning sign for ice, wet leaves, or other slippery surfaces.

Black ice / freezing rain

Extremely dangerous for cyclists. Check conditions on cold mornings.

Headwind

You'll become very familiar with this word during your first Dutch winter.