Ghent was the host of Velo-City 2024 in 2024. I rode through Ghent with several cyclists from different countries and asked them all the same question: “Why is Ghent special for cyclists?” Most of their answers seemed obvious to me: “there are bicycle highways” or “there are streets where cyclists have priority.” Clearly, we have a cycling culture that, for an outsider, is worth experiencing.

So don’t just see Ghent as a city, see it as a bicycle jungle. When you’re walking through Ghent, imagine you’re on safari and use this taxonomy to spot the various types of cyclists!

Taxonomy of the Cyclist

Functional Cyclists

Those who bike out of necessity but often with passion as well.

  • The Box Bike
    Typically spotted between 8:00 and 9:00 AM or between 3:30 and 4:30 PM. You’ll usually see small children riding in the front box—kids who aren’t quite ready to handle traffic on their own.

  • The Long Tail Bike
    A variation of the box bike crowd, seen around the same rush hours. These often carry slightly older children: the parents trust them a bit more and seat them on the extended rear rack. A reliable source tells me that kids on a long tail bike are perfectly positioned for a high five.

  • The Cargobike
    Usually operated by a sporty-looking cyclist with impressively developed calf muscles. You’ll see them year-round, regardless of weather. No kids in the cargo area here—just packages!

  • The Folding Bike
    This bike gives its owner a workout for both legs and arms: navigating through train stations while holding it far enough away so as not to get chain grease on your clothes. It has wheels the size of a child’s bike, but it’s still large enough to ride comfortably.

Sporty Bicycles

Riders who wear unusual clothing designed to wick away sweat or keep out the rain.

  • The Mountain Bike
    Recognizable by its thick, knobby tires and the streak of mud up the cyclist’s back.

  • The Road Bike
    There’s a love-hate relationship with these cyclists. Some call them “cycle terrorists,” others see it as “riding with friends.” These bikes (and their riders) are often allergic to installing a bell. Why mount a bell when you can just shout?

  • The Gravel Bike
    Neither fish nor fowl—somewhere between a mountain bike and a road bike. Does this mean gravel bike riders can install a bell?

  • The Trekking Bike
    Recognizable by the sporty rider with large panniers both on the rear rack and the front fork. Sporty but still dressed for comfort. Some of these cyclists travel the world. All by leg power. Respect!

Bicycles and Their Origin

Bikes named for how they came into the rider’s possession.

  • The bike share Bicycle
    Available in many forms. Ideal for people who don’t ride often or who just want a quick way to get from point A to point B in the city.

  • The Secondhand Bike
    A bike that continues its life with a new owner.

Bicycles and Their Riders

Bikes named for who rides them.

  • The Student Bike
    Typically lacks effective brakes and working lights. Once, these bikes were often painted yellow in Ghent; nowadays they blend in with darker green frames. Some students treat student bikes like shared bikes. The motto is: “A bike without a lock belongs to the community.”

  • The Children’s Bike
    Complete with training wheels on the sides, often swerving wildly and accompanied by a women’s or men’s bike.

  • The Men’s Bike
    The archetypal bicycle, nothing more, nothing less. Why the crossbar on a men’s bike is so high remains a mystery to everyone.

  • The Women’s Bike
    The same as the classic bicycle, but with a lower crossbar—thank you!

Bicycles Without Riders

Bikes named for the person who is no longer riding them.

Unique Bicycles

Those that are hard to spot on your safari—if you see one, count yourself lucky!

  • The Recumbent Bike
    Not for lazy people: lying down doesn’t mean sleeping! This bike is for efficient riding. Air resistance grows quadratically with speed: the closer you are to the ground, the more efficiently you can cover distances. Easy to overlook, so watch out for a little red flag.

  • The Velomobile
    The recumbent bike for those who fear water. A recumbent with a shell: highly aerodynamic, very fast! Just like a standard recumbent, also often sold with a small red flag.

  • The Tandem
    What’s better than one cyclist? Two cyclists, of course—sharing two wheels. A rare sight! The entire biking experience changes: starting together, cornering together, and laughing together at your own mistakes.

  • The Tag-Along Bike
    What’s better than two wheels? Two cyclists sharing three wheels! A less-experienced cyclist (in the back) attaches their tag-along to a more experienced cyclist’s bike.

  • The Handbike
    Unique among unique bikes: you power it entirely with your arms.

  • The Balance Bike
    For riders who can’t quite run steadily without a (walking) bike. Often made of plastic with blue wheels, a red frame, a yellow seat, and a green handlebar. Despite being low to the ground, no red flag here!

Stationary Cyclists

Those who like to bike without moving forward.

  • The Spinning Bike
    Better known among the younger generation. Often associated with loud music and an (overly) enthusiastic instructor.

  • The Hometrainer
    Better known among the older generation. Often associated with the classic “Fietsen es Fietsen,” a gem from the “Man Bijt Hond” era.

Electric Bicycles

Cyclists who like a little extra help.

  • The Electric Bike
    Recognizable by its high speed and low pedaling cadence. Once only for older riders, it’s now widely accepted. Cycling is for everyone—including those who just want a relaxed outing.

  • The Speed Pedelec
    Identifiable by its even greater speed and license plate. Often criticized for going too fast. So new that the regulations are still catching up. Innovation in bike land!

  • The Fatbike
    A cross between a moped, a mountain bike, and an electric bike. Pedaling is optional.

Help, Which Cyclist Am I?

With the above taxonomy, it might seem like every cyclist falls neatly into one specific category. Nothing could be further from the truth: you can choose your “class” based on how you feel at any given moment. There’s a good chance you belong to multiple branches of this bicycle jungle—if so, congratulations!