Around the world, governments routinely spend billions on highway widenings and flyovers, only to watch congestion quickly rebound to previous levels. As Lewis Mumford famously observed, “Adding highway lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity.” In the Netherlands, by contrast, it is widely understood that congestion can be significantly reduced by shifting a relatively small share of trips from cars to other modes. This insight underpins sustained investment in regional cycling highways and high-capacity bicycle parking at train stations—investments that allow authorities to delay, downsize, or even avoid road expansions costing billions of euros. The outcome is counterintuitive but telling: a country that consistently ranks among the most satisfying places in the world to drive, while maintaining some of the lowest levels of traffic congestion.
Chris Bruntlett is International Relations Manager at the Dutch Cycling Embassy, a public-private partnership located in Utrecht that shares the best knowledge, experience, and expertise from the Netherlands with cities and regions from around the world. He uses his diverse skills to manage the marketing and communication department, answer media and keynote requests, forge strategic diplomatic and economic relationships, and facilitate global knowledge exchanges such as workshops and study visits.
Chris is co-author of three books: “Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality”, which examines the triumphs and challenges of Dutch cycling culture while also presenting stories of North American cities already implementing lessons from across the Atlantic. “Curbing Traffic: The Human Case for Fewer Cars in our Lives”, which chronicle their experience living in the Netherlands and the benefits that result from treating cars as visitors rather than owners of the road. And “Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Urban Transformation”, which highlights the groundbreaking work of female mayors, planners, advocates, and policymakers in reshaping urban spaces for the better.
By combining his experience in the field of (cycling) mobility and his training as an urban planner Sjors can create effective connections between these fields of expertise. He believes that public space is not just transportation space, just as that traffic and mobility is not just about moving goods and people. The trip, be it on a bicycle, in a car or in a train, can add value to the traveller and to the inhabitants of a city. By allowing people to move in and between places you create connections and facilitate social interaction creating innovation and a sense of belonging to space and place. In the past years Sjors has worked at several governmental levels; local, regional, and national level.
Sjors has extensive experience in planning cycling infrastructure and developing cycling policies. He can combine different views and cultures and combine those in tailor-made approaches; aimed at a specific city, region, or country. He integrates deep knowledge on design principles (protected intersections, cycling highways) with extensive policy and political experience; all to make sure that sustainable, cycling friendly, cities can be developed.
Max has been working in the field of everyday commutes since starting as project manager for the Cycle Friendly Employer Certification program in the Netherlands, eight years ago. After successfully advising the likes of the Dutch National Police, Academic Medical Centres as Erasmus and Radboud, he joined MobilityLabel having supported European employers, consultants and cities like Munich and Stuttgart on the very subject of employee mobility and commuting ever since. With TEAMFIETS he is again consulting international organisations and cities, sharing knowledge, experience and enthusiasm. All with a clear focus on making commutes more active and more sustainable.
Simone is a Mobility Consultant at Movares. With sustainable innovations, our engineers and consultants help shape the world of today and tomorrow. The world faces major social and spatial challenges such as climate change, urbanisation, and the energy transition. These issues demand a smarter, faster and more sustainable approach. “We see cycling as a key link in building sustainable, healthy cities.”
Simone has deep expertise in bicycle parking—an essential part of active mobility. “Combining public transport with bike parking enables seamless door-to-door travel. The bike-train combination can even double or triple a journey’s reach!” The growing number of parked bikes can impact public space, especially around transport hubs and in dense urban areas. Effective bike parking strategies must meet cyclist needs and fit the local context. Simone enjoys developing these strategies and designing facilities, both in the Netherlands and abroad.
