Header photo: Richard Stronks
World Coming Out day is celebrated annually on October 11. This day Amersfoort supports its residents, ALL residents. Gay, straight, and everyone in between. Love is love. There is no law in the Netherlands that condemns you if you love someone of the same sex. Or if you simply don't know what your sexual preference is. How do you identify yourself. How do you give yourself a place in this world? To emphasize that Amersfoort makes no distinction in love, a beautiful rainbow crosswalk was constructed on September 30. And we are proud of that!
In cooperation with the Keistad Cycling Festival Foundation, we have created a beautiful rainbow cycling route, the "Rainbow Ride." The route, say day trip, of 75 kilometers takes you past crosswalks, bike lanes, pubs and monuments that represent freedom in love.
Get on the bike right away
Or read the blog first
Rainbow Ride
We start at the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren and then cycle past some colorful highlights into nature. At De Vlasakkers you cycle along the railroad tracks on a stretch of "De Style" cycling route to Utrecht. Water, polders and forests provide peace and relaxation among the urban busy areas. Past Houten you pass (via bird area Nieuw Wulven) Fort bij Vechten, where you can visit the Waterlinie museum. Find out how this fortress was part of the Dutch waterline and Defence Line of Utrecht. Cool!
Arriving in Zeist, you cycle via the moat of Slot Zeist through the surprisingly fun and varied shopping street, Slotlaan, and of course back along Leusderheide and through the Den Treek estate. In Amersfoort you can sit down on one of the terraces in the city center.
Pubs on the route
Where can you step "pink" right now? In our Keistad you can go to Gay Café Lapart, Café Koetje and J&D. Owner Maicel van den Heuvel of Lapart, has been committed to the gay community for years. He has made a name for himself in the city with the organization of the Gaypride Amersfoort and the Rainbow run. J&D and Café Koetje are both operated by Derk Koetje and Jasper Moerdijk. The difference? Café Koetje is a party and youth café where everyone can go. J&D is a classic nightclub with an age limit of 21 and over.
Small note to all cyclists
Because this bicycle route passes through city centers, you may sometimes have to step off your bike for a few meters due to a pedestrian area. This is often the case during shopping hours. Pay attention to the applicable traffic rules, but above all enjoy all the beauty along the way. Have fun cycling!
Get on your bike and follow the route
Rainbow highlights along the way
1. Regenboog oversteekplaats: bij de Stadsring ter hoogte van de Utrechtseweg, Amersfoort
2. Gekleurde regenboog betonnen “poefjes”: Stationsplein, Amersfoort
3. Langste regenboog fietspad van Europa: Heidelberglaan/Padualaan, Utrecht
4. Bodytalk LGBT+ Bar: Oudegracht 64, Utrecht
5. Café Kalff: Oudegracht 47, Utrecht
6. Regenboog zebrapad: St. Jacobsstraat kruising met Vredenburg, Utrecht
7. Homo monument: Domplein, Utrecht
8/9/10. Regenboog zebrapad: Schakelstede, Noordstedeweg, Voorstede, Nieuwegein
11. Regenboog zebrapad: Houten
12. Regenboog zebrapad: Korte Steijnlaan (nabij Slotlaan), Zeist
13. Gay Café Lapart: Hof 6, Amersfoort
14. Café Koetje: Hof 17A, Amersfoort
15. J&D: Hof 18, Amersfoort