When the world’s top cyclo-cross riders arrived in Hulst, the Netherlands, for the 2026 Rabobank UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships — where Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel claimed a historic eighth Men Elite cyclo-cross rainbow jersey — they entered a province where cycling forms a part of daily life. The Championships placed Zeeland firmly on the global stage, but for the province, elite competition is just one expression of a much broader and long-standing commitment to cycling, built in part through hosting multiple UCI Cyclo‑cross World Cup rounds in previous years.
Cycling for People and Planet
Located in the southwest of the Netherlands, Zeeland earned the UCI Bike Region label in 2025 in recognition of its cycling infrastructure, culture and commitment to sustainability. In a country where 27% of all trips are made by bicycle and the average citizen cycles 1,065 kilometres per year, Zeeland stands out for translating the Netherlands’ national cycling tradition into clear regional ambition, practical investment and community engagement. An ambition that is set out in their ‘Zeeuws Toekomstbeeld Fiets 2040’ strategy (Zeeland Cycling Vision 2040), which aims to increase the total number of kilometres cycled in the province by 20% from 2022 levels by 2030, and by 40% by 2040, through improvements in safety, accessibility and connections with public transport.
Zeeland’s infrastructure provides the foundation for this approach. With 13,820 kilometres of segregated bike lanes, the province offers one of the most extensive cycling networks in the Netherlands. Investments in “doorfietsroutes”, or cycling highways, are improving regional connectivity and safety, while new mobility hubs bring together secure bike parking, e-bike charging stations and access to public transport, reinforcing the bicycle as a natural first choice for everyday travel.
Between 2022 and 2040, Zeeland plans to invest €34 million in cycling infrastructure and €17 million in bike parking facilities, alongside €6 million dedicated to training and education programmes. These include traffic safety lessons for children and seniors, ensuring that cycling skills and confidence are developed across generations. Partnerships with organisations such as Routebureau Zeeland support cycling tourism, helping to maintain and promote the province’s extensive recreational network.
Sustainability sits at the heart of Zeeland’s cycling policy. The province aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 49% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, with cycling playing a key role in achieving this target. Encouraging a shift from car use to cycling not only reduces emissions but also contributes to healthier, more liveable communities. Major cycling events hosted in Zeeland follow eco-friendly practices, from waste reduction to sustainable logistics, aligning sporting excellence with environmental responsibility.
Racing Today, Cycling Tomorrow
The 2026 Rabobank UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst provided a powerful opportunity to bring this vision to life. Beyond the competition itself, where seven UCI World Champion titles were awarded, the Championships acted as a catalyst for widespread community engagement.
In the lead-up to the event, a social activation programme launched in 2025 delivered around 50 cycling-focused activities across the province, engaging nearly 10,000 people and reflecting Zeeland’s belief that major events should leave a lasting legacy.
The programme spanned a wide range of initiatives, reaching participants of all ages and abilities — from elite athletes to residents in care homes and people with intellectual disabilities. It worked with 36 primary and secondary schools, delivered 79 road cycling and mountain bike clinics, and featured a dedicated “Bike to Work” day in which 182 employees collectively rode 3,000 kilometres. Other highlights included 100 kilograms of recycled bicycle parts being used to make art, and the residents of a care home virtually cycling across five continents!
Supported financially by both the Municipality of Hulst and the Province of Zeeland, these initiatives strengthened Zeeland’s reputation as a cycling region while ensuring that the benefits of hosting the UCI World Championships extended well beyond race weekend. Cycling cafés, safety workshops and health awareness all contributed to a celebration of cycling as a shared social activity.
With a population of 391,000 spread across 2,933 square kilometres, Zeeland demonstrates how cycling can connect communities, support sustainable development and host world-class sport. As a UCI Bike Region, the province shows that elite events such as the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are not isolated moments, but part of a wider ecosystem — one where everyday journeys, long-term planning and global competition all ride on the same path.