Dutch Fans Pedal to the Solheim Cup

The Solheim Cup, a biennial women’s golf competition between the United States and Europe, is being held at Bernardus Golf in Den Bosch, North Brabant. Organizers have provided extensive bike-parking facilities, encouraging spectators to ride to the venue rather than rely on shuttle buses. The approach aligns with the host country’s emphasis on sustainable transport for large events.

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According to the Netherlands’ national statistics office, the country of 18 million residents owns roughly 23 million bicycles and maintains about 153,000 kilometers (95,000 miles) of routes that prioritize cyclists, including dedicated paths and cycle lanes. One highlighted route runs 9 kilometers (5½ miles) from Den Bosch’s railway station through agricultural fields, offering a scenic, traffic-free ride to the golf course.

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Spectators such as Janet Metcalfe, a 58-year-old retiree from Cheshire, England, described the bike ride from her hotel in Vught as “typically Dutch” and praised the predictability of traffic yielding to cyclists. Similarly, Chris Thompson, an 82-year-old rider from Dorset, called the organized, well-signposted route “a piece of cake” and noted that the bike-park at the venue made arrival straightforward. Many fans reported that cycling avoided the congestion and wait times associated with shuttle services.

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The previous Solheim Cup, staged at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, experienced transport difficulties that left stands partially empty on the opening morning. By contrast, the Dutch model leverages existing cycling culture and infrastructure to streamline fan movement, reducing reliance on motorized shuttles and enhancing the overall spectator experience.

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