The number of smartphone apps out there has increased exponentially, numbering in the hundreds of thousands on Apple's Appstore and Google Android's Play Market. Among these are many specifically designed for cyclists.

The latest issue of Fietsverkeer, a quarterly periodical issued by the Cycling Council, extensively reviews the possibilities of the various cycling apps, but since most of these apps are only available in Dutch, Fietsberaad put together the following summary of apps that could be useful for non-Dutch speaking cyclists as well:

› Cycling
Holland has over time developed a wide traffic-node network, allowing cyclists to plan routes using node numbers. This app by ANWB (the Dutch automobile association) makes the process very easy, with possibilities to set up a route, store it, and follow it. Descriptions of sights and restaurants along the way are also included.

› Burger Connect
This an app to notify the municipality of problems, such as loose pavement tiles, with photo uploading capabilities.

› Bike theft
This app allows you to perform a check during the purchase of a second-hand bicycle, by inputting the brand name and chip number or frame number to see if it shows up in the Bike Theft Register.

› Ride tracker
This is one of many tracking apps that shows which route you took, providing information such as distances and average speed. It demonstrates tracking capabilities, also useful for traffic research.

› ViaStat Dashboard
This is a general traffic app giving municipal information on traffic accidents and accessibility.

› Op De Fiets Werkt Beter (“It’s Better By Bike”)
An app to record the cycling kilometres ridden, as part of the “It’s Better By Bike” campaign. Registered participants who regularly commute to work by bike get a reward.