How Common Is Bike Theft in the Netherlands?

Ed Spiller
Aug 28
2 min read

Cycling is a way of life in the Netherlands. With nearly 23 million bicycles in the country (more bikes than people! it’s the most popular way to get around. But with so many bikes on the street, theft is a reality many Dutch cyclists face. So, how common is bike theft in the Netherlands, and what do the numbers really say?

Bicycles parked on a bridge over a canal, flanked by colorful buildings and green trees. A relaxed, picturesque urban scene. — A space where your bicycle should be is a common sight in the Netherlands.

The Scale of the Problem

According to police reports, more than 86,000 bicycles were stolen in 2024, a new record high, with Amsterdam alone accounting for over 10,000 thefts (NL Times, 2025). But these are just the thefts that were officially reported.

Survey-based data tells a very different story. The Safety Monitor, a biennial study from CBS and the Ministry of Justice and Security, found that 928,000 bicycles were stolen in 2023, a 30% increase compared to 2021 (NL Times, 2024, IamExpat, 2024).

The financial damage of bike theft is equally striking. Dutch households lost an estimated €698 million to bike theft in 2023, up from €465 million in 2021 (NL Times, 2024). Insurers paid out €271 million in claims, nearly double the amount compared to just two years earlier (DutchNews, 2024).

Several factors make the Netherlands especially vulnerable to bike theft:

High demand: With so many bikes, resale is easy.
Easy targets: Many bicycles are left outside overnight with only a simple lock.
Low reporting: Only a fraction of thefts are reported, lowering the chances of recovery.

A black and pink bike secured to a metal rack with a coiled lock. Background shows brick pavement and another bike wheel. — Sub-standard locks give the illusion of your bike being safe. In reality they're easy to break.

Fighting Back: Prevention and Storage

Cyclists use many strategies to protect their bikes, from double locks to GPS trackers. Municipalities are also investing in secure parking facilities, with a focus on making prevention simple and reliable. Bike locker solutions like Fietshangar provide:

Secure on-street storage in local neighborhoods.
Heavy-duty locks and steel construction designed to resist theft.
Convenient access so bikes are always nearby, yet well protected.

Two bicycles, one locked to a metal stand and another in a Fietshangar, are on a tree-lined street. A passing car and a person are visible. — Theft prevention often depends on where and how a bicycle is secured.

A Safer Cycling Culture

Bike theft is widespread in the Netherlands, but it doesn’t have to be part of everyday cycling life. With stronger locks, smarter infrastructure, and secure neighborhood storage, we can protect bicycles – and the freedom of cycling that defines Dutch cities.