CROW Fietsparkeerkencijfers 2025 – Dutch Bicycle Parking Standards Guide
The Fietsparkeerkencijfers 2025 – Basis voor fietsparkeernormering is the official technical guideline published by CROW (Knowledge Platform for Infrastructure, Traffic, Transport, and Public Space) in the Netherlands. Released in January 2025, this document replaces the 2019 edition and provides the foundational data used by municipal planners, architects, and developers to determine the required number of bicycle parking spaces for new construction and redevelopment projects. It sits within the broader regulatory framework of Dutch traffic and building legislation, including the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl).
This publication details specific key figures (kencijfers) across seven primary functional groups: residential (wonen), workplaces (werken), shopping and groceries (winkelen en boodschappen), sports, culture and leisure (sport, cultuur en ontspanning), catering and tourism (horeca en (verblijfs)recreatie), healthcare and social facilities (gezondheidszorg en (sociale) voorzieningen), and education (onderwijs). The document defines these figures based on variables such as stedelijkheidsgraad (degree of urbanization) and stedelijke zone (urban zones), presented in bandwidths of minimum and maximum values.
The following sections outline the methodology for calculating parking demand, the legal requirements for storage spaces in residential buildings, and the alignment with upcoming European energy and accessibility directives.
Calculation Methodology and Corrective Factors
The 2025 key figures are derived from existing car parking data, modified by conversion factors and expert input. The calculation process follows specific steps to ensure accuracy across different spatial contexts.
- Omrekenfactor (ORF): A base conversion factor determined by comparing car ownership/usage vs. bicycle ownership/usage from CBS and KiM data.
- Correctiefactor 1 (CF1): Adjusts for the five levels of urbanization, ranging from very strongly urban to non-urban.
- Correctiefactor 2 (CF2): Adjusts for the specific urban zone: Centrum (Center), Schil centrum (Center shell), Rest bebouwde kom (Rest of built-up area), and Buitengebied (Rural area).
- Fietsparkeerbalans: A calculation tool used to assess if combined use of parking spaces is possible when peak demand times for different functions do not overlap.
Residential Bicycle Parking and Storage Requirements
Key figures for the Wonen (Housing) group are categorized by dwelling type and Gross Floor Area (GFA). Figures for residents and visitors are calculated separately.
- Private Storage: Under the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving 2023 (Article 4.172), new dwellings must have a lockable storage room of at least 5 m² with a minimum width of 1.8m and height of 2.3m.
- Small Units: For dwellings under 50 m², communal storage is permitted provided there is at least 1.5 m² of space per unit.
- Visitor Parking: Calculated per dwelling; for example, in a very strongly urban center, the requirement is 0.3 spaces per home.
- Accessibility: Storage must be directly accessible from the public road via the plot or a communal traffic space without passing through the dwelling.
Regulatory Compliance and EU Directives
The guide aligns with national building codes and prepares for the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
- EPBD Requirements: Expected from 2027, the directive mandates bicycle parking for at least 15% of average user capacity in non-residential buildings.
- Residential EPBD: Mandates at least two bicycle parking spaces for every residential unit.
- Bbl 2023: National regulations allow municipalities to set higher local standards via the Omgevingsplan (Environment Plan) to meet specific mobility goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum size for a mandatory bicycle storage room in Dutch homes?
According to Article 4.172 of the Bbl 2023, a standard dwelling must have a private, lockable storage space of at least 5 m² with a minimum width of 1.8 meters.
How are visitor bicycle parking spaces calculated for residential projects?
Visitor parking is added on top of resident figures. In urban centers, this typically ranges from 0.25 to 0.3 spaces per dwelling depending on the level of urbanization.
What is the 'fietsparkeerbalans' and when should it be used?
The fietsparkeerbalans is used to evaluate if different building functions can share the same bicycle parking facilities because their peak usage times occur at different parts of the day.
Do the 2025 CROW figures apply to train stations?
No, the guide recommends using ProRail forecasts for train stations, though Annex 1 provides an exploratory look at station-specific figures for early-stage planning.
How does the urbanization level affect the required number of bike spaces?
The document uses five urbanization degrees; generally, more urbanized areas have higher bicycle parking requirements as car usage is lower and bicycle usage is higher.
Are communal storage areas allowed in new apartment complexes?
Yes, for units smaller than 50 m², communal storage is allowed if it provides at least 1.5 m² of floor area per unit, though the Bbl does not allow municipalities to force communal storage for larger units.
