Dutch Cycling Embassy

What Dutch Cycling Embassy does

Dutch Cycling Embassy is a non-profit knowledge-sharing network organization founded in 2011/2012 and headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands. Its core function is to export Dutch cycling infrastructure expertise to international governments, municipalities, urban planners and cycling professionals through a structured four-program engagement model: Experience (study tours and delegations), Think (workshops such as the ThinkBike format), Act (project implementation support) and Learn (training and education). The organization also operates a closed community platform that aggregates a curated network of 230+ vetted expert members drawn from leading Dutch and international consultancies, including Arup, Royal HaskoningDHV, Goudappel Coffeng, Sweco and Witteveen+Bos.

The platform's underlying technology is modest: a members-only community portal and project-based collaboration tools, supplemented by the Snuffelfiets initiative — a citizen-science network of sensor-equipped bicycles that collects open data on cycling flows and air quality. The organization does not develop proprietary software products; instead, its intellectual capital is the accumulated body of Dutch cycling policy, design and engineering knowledge captured over 12.5 years, including co-development of national frameworks such as the Tour de Force agenda.

The business model is membership- and project-based: participating organizations, municipalities and consultancies pay membership dues and/or project fees to access expertise, workshops, delegations and the closed expert network. Customer segments are primarily public-sector (national and municipal governments such as Rotterdam, Paris, Vienna, Miami and Montreuil) and secondarily private-sector consultancy partners delivering joint international projects.

Name

Dutch Cycling Embassy

Legal name

Dutch Cycling Embassy

Website

https://dutchcycling.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dutch Cycling Embassy is a Utrecht-based non-profit network, founded in 2011/2012 with ~16 employees, that exports Dutch cycling infrastructure expertise to international governments, municipalities and urban planners through a four-program model (Experience, Think, Act, Learn) and a closed community of 230+ expert members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cycling Infrastructure Consulting

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Bikeshare (Station-Based/Docked) (TLAFAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cycling, Mountain Biking & E-bike Adventures (THAJABAF)

Keywords

• Cycling infrastructure consulting
• Urban mobility planning
• Active transport policy
• Knowledge network services
• Sustainable transport consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Network Membership and Collaboration: DCE operates as a membership-based network with participants and strategic partners who collaborate on cycling projects, share knowledge, and access the community platform, toolkit, and expertise resources.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Dutch Cycling Embassy is a non-profit knowledge-sharing network that connects Dutch cycling experts with cities, governments, and organizations worldwide to accelerate cycling development. It delivers its services through four programs — Experience, Think, Act, and Learn — combining ThinkBike workshops, international study visits, missions, and a closed community platform of 230+ members spanning public, private, and knowledge institutions.

Product overview

Dutch Cycling Embassy is a knowledge-sharing organization and network that provides expertise, programs, and resources related to cycling infrastructure, policy, and planning. Their offerings consist of multiple interconnected service areas: expertise consulting (covering Cycling & Technology, Infrastructure, Behaviour, Intermodality, Strategies, and Future Proofing Places); four program types (Experience, Think, Act, and Learn); a knowledge platform with blogs, news, downloads, and podcasts; and a members-only Dutch Cycling Community platform. The organization does not offer a singular software product but rather provides consultancy services, educational resources, networking opportunities, and collaborative tools for cycling professionals and municipalities worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ThinkBike Workshops Structured in-country workshops that bring Dutch cycling experts together with local governments, planners, and stakeholders to develop cycling strategies, policy frameworks, and infrastructure plans. Targeted at municipalities and public agencies seeking to advance urban cycling.
• International Study Visits Organized delegations to the Netherlands where international visitors experience Dutch cycling infrastructure, policy, and culture firsthand as part of knowledge transfer. Targeted at foreign government officials, planners, and decision-makers.
• Network Membership Subscription-based access to the Embassy's closed community platform connecting 230+ Dutch cycling experts from public agencies, private companies, NGOs, and knowledge institutions. Targeted at organizations wanting ongoing access to Dutch cycling expertise and international project opportunities.
• International Missions and Embassy-Led Events Organized international trade missions, conferences, and events that connect Dutch cycling stakeholders with foreign markets and project opportunities. Targeted at member organizations and international partners.
• Cycling Knowledge Resources and Publications Public knowledge products including articles, reports, and online content covering cycling infrastructure design, behavior change, policy, intermodality, and future-proofing places. Targeted at policymakers, planners, researchers, and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tour de Force National Agenda aims to increase kilometers cycled by 20% in 2017-2027 period
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MovarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMovares is a participant in the DCE network, specializing in bicycle parking facilities with expertise covering stations with 120 to 12,000 bike parking spots. They have designed numerous bike parking facilities for Dutch train stations and were involved in the Paris Gare du Nord project.
• ArupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArup is a participant in the DCE network, providing cycling solutions across the globe. Their cycling team helps create policies and strategies, design cycle infrastructure, analyze accessibility and inclusivity, and advise on cycle planning, behavioral change, bike sharing schemes, wayfinding, and public realm design.
• Gemeente Rotterdam (City of Rotterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Rotterdam is a public participant in DCE, with 160,000 inhabitants cycling daily and 600 kilometers of bike lanes. Rotterdam has achieved a 60% increase in cyclists over the past decade.
• Royal HaskoningDHV (Haskoning)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal HaskoningDHV is a participant with extensive cycling project experience ranging from feasibility studies to technical design, bicycle parking, traffic safety, and shared mobility. They designed the world's largest bicycle parking in Utrecht and the first bicycle street in Vienna.
• HODworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHODworks is a consultancy specializing in bicycle-inclusive urban planning, founded by Erik Tetteroo who previously served as senior bicycle policy officer for the Dutch national government. They focus on Hybrid Oriented Development combining intermodality and spatial planning.
• GoudappelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoudappel is the oldest and largest knowledge center for cycling-inclusive mobility engineering in the Netherlands, with over 200 employees and 50 years of experience. They specialize in mobility and urban performance, operating worldwide with offices in Amsterdam, The Hague, Deventer, and Utrecht.
• MobyconcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobycon is a Dutch mobility consultancy specializing in innovative and sustainable mobility solutions nationally and internationally. With over 35 years of history, they apply Dutch knowledge to support mobility innovation across Europe and North America.
• ArcadiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArcadis is a world leader in sustainable design and consultancy, applying Dutch bicycle principles across the world from Sydney to London, China, and the United States. They offer cycling solutions across the globe through interdisciplinary teams.
• Van RaamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVan Raam is a manufacturer of special needs bicycles, including tricycles, mobility scooter bikes, tandem bikes, wheelchair bikes, and transport bikes. They specialize in customized bikes for people with disabilities.
• Loendersloot InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoendersloot International is a leading Dutch mobility consultancy specializing in sustainable mobility, traffic management, public space design, and cycling. Founded in 2008, based in Nijmegen.
• AbelLeisureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbelLeisure develops recreational route concepts with a focus on sustainability, working with 12 employees. They specialize in themed routes, developed products including BioPanel (bio-based signing material), Robinson (counting sensor), and RoutAbel (route app with 600+ digital routes).
• VConsystminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVConsyst Outdoor aims to become a leading player in bicycle parking, waste bins, shelters, seating, and street furniture in public outdoor spaces, promoting circular economy and smart solutions.
• FietshangarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFietshangar offers practical, safe, and durable solutions for storing bicycles in inner-city areas. Their product is burglary-proof, space-efficient (single car parking space), easy to use for ages 9+, and designed with 98% circular materials.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• European Cyclists' Federation (ECF): European-level cycling advocacy umbrella coordinating national cyclist federations, policy work, and the Velo-city conference. Highly comparable as a cycling-focused non-profit that convenes experts and lobbies for cycling infrastructure across borders.
• BYCS: Amsterdam-based social enterprise running the "Cities Cycling" global program that supports cities in scaling cycling. Closely comparable mission, geography, and city-engagement model — and a direct competitor for Dutch-anchored cycling advisory mandates.
• Sustrans: UK charity that designs, delivers, and campaigns for walking and cycling infrastructure, including the National Cycle Network. Comparable as a mission-driven national cycling organisation providing advisory, network-building, and project delivery to government clients.
• Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP): Global non-profit that promotes sustainable and equitable urban transport, including cycling. Operates in dozens of countries with a similar city-advisory, knowledge-transfer model to DCE, making it a direct peer in the cycling-and-mobility advisory space.
• Copenhagenize Design Company: Denmark-based cycling strategy and design consultancy working with cities globally on cycling infrastructure, behaviour change, and branding. Directly comparable as a national-origin cycling consultancy competing for the same municipal clients.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO): US-based association that produces design guidelines (including for urban bikeways) used by North American cities. Comparable as a knowledge and standards-setting body for municipal cycling, but broader in scope (all urban mobility, not cycling-exclusive).
• WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities: World Resources Institute program that works with cities globally on sustainable mobility, including cycling. Comparable international urban-mobility advisory footprint, but broader in scope (energy, housing, transit) than DCE's cycling specialisation.
• PeopleForBikes: US-based cycling advocacy and industry coalition promoting riding at federal, state, and city level, including the Bicycle Friendly America program. Adjacent to DCE's mission but oriented to a single national market rather than international advisory.

Others

• CROW: Dutch knowledge platform developing technical guidelines, standards, and design manuals for roads, traffic, and cycling infrastructure. Functions as a close ecosystem partner to DCE rather than a competitor, supplying the underlying standards Dutch consultants apply.
• Goudappel: Oldest and largest Dutch mobility engineering consultancy (200+ staff, 50 years) and a DCE strategic partner. Direct delivery partner in many projects DCE facilitates; included as an ecosystem peer given the partnership relationship rather than pure competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/dutchcycling.nl
• Facebookfacebook.com/dutchcyclingembassy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dutch-cycling-embassy
• Instagraminstagram.com/cycling_embassy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dutch Cycling Embassy