So you cycle the fastest from the village to Zoetermeer East Station

There are sometimes those awkwardness in the city where you think: can’t that be otherwise? This is also the case at Zoetermeer Oost train station. Because how can you get the fastest as a cyclist, scooter rider or Fatbiker? You have to deal with multiple routes to the bicycle shed that are not only awkward, but also not quickly and sometimes even unsafe.

Motorists, non-train travelers and Zoetermeerders from neighborhoods other than the village probably have no idea what we are talking about. Then read another nice story on the Zoetermeer indebuurt. Zoetermeerders who drive to Zoetermeer Station to take the train there, understand: how do you get there?

P+R site

The bicycle shed along the first Stationsstraat is located at the P+R site next to the station. As a motorist you can easily get there, but for cyclists it is unclear and awkward. There are three routes of which one is not safe, but the fastest.

First the first two official routes, advised by the municipality:

• Through the cyclist tunnel you take halfway the stairs that are equipped with a bicycle gutter. So here you have to lift your bike and lug up while stubbornly. Once at the top you stand in front of the bicycle shed. After stables you walk through the railway crossing to the platform. This route is not only physically heavy, but it also takes quite some time.
• Cycling through the tunnel towards the Groeneweg (about 50 meters) and storing the bike there. You can then reach the station via the pedestrian crossing. You can also take your bike with you during the crossing. Once you are across the street, you can park the bike at the P+R site. But that is less logical. This route takes unnecessarily long because you make a round to get to the station. In addition, it can take a while before the traffic light on the Zuidweg jumps at Groen. Not handy if you have to get the train.

Narrow sidewalk

Then there is a third option to get to the station by bike. Cyclists regularly opt for this faster but also unsafe route. A narrow sidewalk runs above the tunnel along the first Stationsstraat. You can walk by bike, but some bikes over it in the direction of the bicycle shed. In the meantime, car traffic races from the Zuidweg along you and be careful. But yes, if that is the fastest way to get to the station …

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Bicycle improvement point

The municipality of Zoetermeer knows that this point is not an ideal situation. According to a spokesperson, the Fietsersbond has drawn attention to this. “That is why this point is included as a bicycle improvement point in the spatial strategy. Because the bus lane is no longer in use here, there is room to improve the situation for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Just patience

The municipality therefore intends to improve the cycle route to the storage at the station. That is why preparation budget was requested from the city council for this place for 2026. “That will investigate what the best solution is. What it will be exactly is still a matter of waiting.”

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