Cycle from Heerhugowaard to De IJmond in one go, without stopping. A few years ago, the relevant municipalities and the province joined forces to make this possible. “Not much has happened since then,” complains the Fietserbond.
Rob Beentjes cycles every working day from Heiloo to Tata Steel. “It takes me an hour and then I get some fresh air.” If there were a bicycle highway, that would save Rob at least five to ten minutes per ride. “That’s not the most important thing; a cycle route would also make it a lot safer,” says Rob.
We cycled the cycling route with Rob – NH Nieuws
According to Rob, the railway crossings in particular are a problem: “These take a really long time. Especially the ones in Castricum, because the trees are already closed when the train is still loading on the platform.” As a solution, the Fietsersbond has proposed to build a cycle path along the railway through nature and agricultural areas. This means cyclists have to take two less railway crossings. “Unfortunately, we do not feel that the municipality is investigating this option,” says the Fietsersbond. Municipality of Heiloo could not be reached for comment.
Five local branches of the Fietsersbond have sent the relevant municipalities and the province a letter in which they complain about the slow process. “It has been three years since we last paid attention to this. That does not mean that we have been sitting on our hands since that time. We do have that impression of the provincial and municipal authorities.”
According to the municipality of Heiloo, it is not possible to give priority to cyclists everywhere on the bicycle highway. “It can be made safer in some places. By making adjustments to the situation or by clearer signage for the preferred route.”
Work is currently underway on the intersection at Vennewatersweg. Rob has nothing good to say about the crossing. “It just sucks.” A lady on the bike agrees. “I’d rather cycle around than cross here. It is far too dangerous.” According to Rob, visibility is not good and traffic is coming out of the tunnel too quickly. The Municipality of Heiloo has announced that they want to build speed bumps for traffic here, so that the speed is reduced: “There are also Cyclists have signs on how to turn around via a bicycle viaduct.”
“I think 20 percent of my colleagues are willing to cycle”
According to Rob, a lot of profit can be made with a bicycle highway. “I think that at least 20 percent of my colleagues who come from here are willing to cycle to work,” says Rob. He thinks that they are not doing this now due to the lack of good cycle paths and that often stops along the way. “In the winter there will be fewer people cycling, but in the summer almost everyone wants to ride a bike.”
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