These are the conclusions of the Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid (KiM – Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis) in the 2012 Mobility Assessment. Especially the increasing group of seniors aged 50 and older account for a large part of this growth. They cycle more often in their leisure time, but over-50s commuters also ride the bike more frequently. This is probably because their average state of health has improved, according to the KiM. The availability of the pedalec has also stimulated a greater use of the bike by seniors.
Longer distances are especially apparent during commuting. The over-40s in particular cycle over longer distances. This trend may be the result of the previously mentioned health improvement of seniors. Generally, the increase in cycling distances is related to the increase in urban scale and greater distances between home on the one hand, and work, education, and facilities on the other.
Also those ages 12 to 25 cycle more often and further. This is a result of greater participation in education, increased geographic spread of schools, and a preference for special forms of education.
Notable is the fact that cycling to shops is on the decrease. This probably correlates with the drop in retail revenues since 2008 and the rise of online shopping. There is one exception to this trend: ladies in the over-60 category cycle more often to the shops.