Austin Mayor and Dutch Queen Commemorate Decade-Long Partnership with Pedal-Powered Celebration

City Celebrates Netherlands-Austin Friendship Day and a Decade of Dutch-Inspired Mobility Innovations

Austin, Texas, September 8, 2023 – Today, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands joined forces to celebrate the enduring economic and cultural bond between the Netherlands and the United States. The royal visit highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the City of Austin in addressing global challenges such as climate resilience, adaptation, mobility, energy, sports, and health.

The day commenced with a proclamation from Mayor Adler at City Hall, designating September 8 as Netherlands-Austin Friendship Day. The Queen embarked on a scenic e-bike ride through downtown Austin, escorted by city officials, including Mayor Adler. The cycling route took them from City Hall to the Hike and Bike Trail on Ladybird Lake, culminating at the Central Library.

Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk expressed his honor in showcasing the city to Queen Máxima, emphasizing the Netherlands’ impact on Austin’s vision for a central library and the establishment of an extensive network of bikeways. The royal visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of Austin’s commitment to incorporating Dutch bikeway design principles into its mobility infrastructure.

Richard Mendoza, Interim Director of the Austin Transportation Department, acknowledged the Netherlands’ influence on Austin’s mobility innovation, transforming the city into an urban mobility leader in North America. He highlighted the success of Austin’s All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Network, a 200+-mile connected network that makes commuting safer and more comfortable.

Austin’s Central Library, an award-winning architectural marvel, drew inspiration from Dutch libraries, including the Amsterdam Public Library and De Nieuwe Bibliotheek in Almere. Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks highlighted the library’s unique features, which were inspired by Dutch designs, providing residents with innovative spaces to gather, learn, explore, and play.

While today’s events marked a momentous occasion in the Netherlands-Austin partnership, they were originally intended to include King Willem-Alexander. Unfortunately, the King’s recovery from pneumonia prevented his participation.

Before arriving in Austin, Queen Máxima visited San Francisco and Silicon Valley in California. The royal itinerary also included stops at Austin’s Capital Factory and Austin FC, with subsequent plans to visit Houston.

Ahead of Queen Máxima’s visit, the Netherlands government released figures underscoring the robust economic ties between the two nations. In 2021, Dutch-US economic relations supported approximately 955,000 American jobs, with Texas hosting around 106,000 of them. Texas led the list of the top 10 US states exporting the most goods and services to the Netherlands.

Dutch Ambassador André Haspels praised Austin and Houston as exemplars of the strong partnerships between the Netherlands and the United States, particularly in cycling, energy transition, and water management. The royal visit affirmed these enduring ties, extending across healthcare, startups, and defense.