Your visit to ICBF 2024
The Decade of the Cargo Bike is in full swing…
…so this year we’re heading to Utrecht for a hybrid B2C and B2B cargo bike event. After a few years of co-locating with other events, the ICBF is going back to its independent roots, with the cargo bike expo and test track previous visitors know and love. In addition, we’re hosting an extensive and wide-ranging programme of speakers and panels across the two days.
Professional visitors can make use of Conversation Starter, our free networking platform that lets you connect and set up meetings with other ICBF attendees.
Joining us in Utrecht?
Here’s what you need to know. From dates and times to information on the venue, transport and disabled access; we’ve gathered everything you need to plan your visit to the International Cargo Bike Festival; whether it’s a family-friendly fun or inspiring networking and information gathering for your work, ICBF 2024 is an event you won’t want to miss. So read on, and we’ll see you at the ICBF in Utrecht!
Still got questions? Get in touch!
Dates and times
Friday 25th Oct
Saturday 26th Oct
Opening times (both days):
10:00 – 17:00
These are the two ICBF Expo days. But there are also side-events planned around the ICBF in and around Utrecht on Thursday 24th and Sunday 27th October. Check out the programme for full details.
Location
Address:
Beatrixgebouw,
Jaarbeursplein 6,
3521 AL Utrecht,
The Netherlands
We’re in the ‘Beatrixgebouw‘ (Beatrix Building). The main entrance is on Croeselaan, 2 mins walk from ultra-connected railway station Utrecht Centraal. ICBF venue Jaarbeurs is the largest exhibition hall and convention centre in Utrecht.
Find it on: Google Maps / Apple Maps / OpenStreetMap.
Getting There
Jaarbeurs, the venue for the International Cargo Bike Festival, is located next to Utrecht Centraal railway station, a few minutes walk from the city’s historic centre. Here are our tips on how to get there.
Bike
The best way to get around in the Netherlands? By bike of course! Visiting the city? There are plenty of places to hire a bike when you arrive – from hotels to local bike shops. It’s a very short ride to the venue from the centre of Utrecht.
Public Transport
ICBF venue Jaarbeurs is served by multiple high-frequency public transport connections, including national and local rail, trams and buses. It is situated right next to Utrecht Centraal, a railway station with national and international connections, as well as being a public transport hub.
If you are staying elsewhere in the Netherlands, most places are very well connected by public transport. Check out your options here.
You can check in and out on trains, buses, trams and metros throughout the Netherlands with your debit card, credit card or mobile phone. More info here.
International Rail
The Netherlands is a major European rail hub, with connections to London, Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Köln and Berlin, among others. There are night train connections from Vienna, Münich, Innsbruck, Basel and Zürich. All of which makes rail a convenient, viable and pleasant way of travelling to the Netherlands.
Driving
We don’t recommend hiring a car when you are in the Netherlands. It can be very difficult to drive around and park in Dutch cities, while the cycling, walking and public transport options are sufficient for most trips.
Still need to drive, or bring you own vehicle? There is paid parking at the venue.
At the venue
Visiting with children
Come for the cargo bikes, stay for the fun stuff! We’re putting on a variety of child-friendly activities during the ICBF, so you can make a day of it. Once you’ve taken the kids for a few test rides, check out Cycle Fun Productions, also on the test track, who are bringing a variety of funbikes to test out the skills of both young and old visitors. Or swing by stand 10 to watch artist Nils Westergard stencil-painting live; then go to the activity table where children can draw some creations of their own.
And when you’re done at the ICBF, why not visit LEGO World? Located a few hundred metres away in another hall of the Jaarbeurs, it’s easily combined within one day or on consecutive days.
Food & Drink
An important element of every festival, right? The ICBF is no different. Good to know: all on-site food options at the ICBF are either vegetarian or vegan.
A catering stand in the centre of the expo floor has plenty of options for those looking for a quick snack, hot or cold drink; more substantial lunch options are on offer too.
Coffee-lovers: we’ve got you covered too! Our barista is waiting to serve you from the centrally-located coffee cargo bike.
Please bring reusable coffee cups and/or water bottles with you. There is a free water refill tap available in the lobby of the Beatrixgebouw – less than a minute walk from the expo. In this way, Jaarbeurs encourages visitors to help to save plastic waste. Forgotten your reusable bottle? Bottled water is available for sale at the catering stand.
And a last pro-tip for the foodies out there: join Vegan Food Tour on one of their guided tours around Utrecht food-spots during the festival.
Cloakroom
There will be a secure cloakroom where you can put your coats and/or luggage. Cloakrooms are located at the reception desk in the Beatrixgebouw, to the right of the entrance to the ICBF.
Opening times: 09:30 – 17:30, Friday and Saturday.
Cost per item: €1,50 (pay with card only).
Access for people with disabilities
We believe it is important that everybody feels welcome at, and has access to the ICBF – including people with disabilities.
Jaarbeurs offers accessible toilets and step-free access to all areas. A wheelchair-accessible toilet is available on the ground floor of the Beatrixgebouw building, near the front desk. Accessible parking places are also available, although these cannot be booked in advance. Assistance dogs are welcome in the Beatrixgebouw. They should be kept on short leash.
Public transport is mostly accessible in the Netherlands, although there are unfortunately a few exceptions. For information about your specific journey, check 9292.nl.
Registered guide dogs are welcome at the International Cargo Bike Festival. Unfortunately we are not able to welcome other dogs or pets at the show.
You can find out more about accessibility for visitors with disabilities at ICBF venue Jaarbeurs by clicking here. If you have queries about your specific access needs, please contact us.
Non-visible disabilities
Some disabilities, conditions or chronic diseases are not always immediately visible to others. Visiting a major event can then be quite challenging. Jaarbeurs and the ICBF want everyone to feel at ease, which is why Jaarbeurs partners with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower provides keycords and badges that visitors can wear indicating that they need just a little more help or time. Jaarbeurs’ trained staff wear a badge and are thus recognisable to provide extra support.
You can find out more about Hidden Disabilities Sunflower here and order a keycard here.
Photography and Filming at the ICBF
Professional photographers and videographers will be present at the International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) to capture the atmosphere.
This will help us not only to organise the next edition of the ICBF, but also to do the year-round work of promoting the cargo bike. By doing so, we aim to help the cargo bike to reach its true potential across the world; with all of the positive impact that brings with it.
Visitors should be aware of this before entering the event and should understand that by entering the ICBF, you give the organisation the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs and/or videos of yourself at the ICBF, or in which you may be included. In doing so, you also release the organisation of the International Cargo Bike Festival, our photographers and videographers and our/their legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photographs or films.
The organisation of the International Cargo Bike Festival may use these images for editorial, trade, advertising, and any other purpose and in any manner and medium; and to alter and composite the same without restriction and without your inspection or approval.
If you have questions or concerns about any of this, please contact us before entering the International Cargo Bike Festival.
