wellness
Cycling routes safe for families and beginners open across Oud West parks
Protected paths through Westerpark and Bilderdijkpark give parents and new riders low-traffic options starting this month.
How we reported this
The Oud West district opened 12 kilometres of dedicated family cycling routes on July 1 through sections of Westerpark and along the Kostverlorenvaart canal.
More residents have asked for protected paths after local wellness groups reported higher turnout for outdoor activities this spring.
Routes through Westerpark and Bilderdijkpark
One flat loop starts at Mercatorplein and follows the canal path before entering the western edge of Westerpark, where wide lanes stay separate from car traffic. A second route begins near the Oud West Library on Kinkerstraat, passes the community fitness area inside Bilderdijkpark, and returns via quiet residential streets in the Oud West core. The local cycling club runs free beginner sessions every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. from the park entrance on Jan Pieter Heijestraat.
City transport records show family bike incidents in similar neighbourhoods fell 22 percent after protected lanes opened last year. Hourly bike rental at the station beside Westerpark costs 3.50 euros for the first hour and 2 euros for each additional hour.
Practical steps for first rides
Maps and helmet loans are available at the Oud West Wellness Center on Jan Evertsenstraat. Riders should start on the canal section before moving into the parks, where water fountains sit every two kilometres and benches line the lanes. The routes contain no steep grades and connect directly to two playgrounds inside Westerpark.
Parents can combine a short ride with a stop at the weekly farmers market on Mercatorplein, which runs Tuesdays and Fridays until 2 p.m. The full family loop takes about 45 minutes at an easy pace.