Skip to main content

Netherlands road risk for cyclists

A change in road risk has been seen in the Netherlands, with more cyclists than drivers being killed on the country’s roads in 2017. The data came from the Dutch statistics bureau, CBS. The research suggests that there are two key factors in this change. Firstly, motor vehicles are generally safer now than in the past, with better crash protection and other safety technologies. Meanwhile an increase in the numbers and performance of electric bicycles and their use by a greater number of older riders is
April 30, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

A change in road risk has been seen in the Netherlands, with more cyclists than drivers being killed on the country’s roads in 2017. The data came from the Dutch statistics bureau, CBS. The research suggests that there are two key factors in this change. Firstly, motor vehicles are generally safer now than in the past, with better crash protection and other safety technologies. Meanwhile an increase in the numbers and performance of electric bicycles and their use by a greater number of older riders is thought to be a significant factor in the rise in cycling deaths. The CBS data shows that 201 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017, compared with 231 deaths in 2016. Meanwhile there were 206 cyclist deaths on the road network in the Netherlands in 2017, compared with 189 in 2016. Of those cyclists killed in crashes, around 67% were aged 65 or more. Overall there were 613 deaths on the country’s roads in 2017, compared with 629 in 2016.

Related Content

  • The cost of crashes in the US
    May 25, 2023
    The financial cost of road crashes in the US places a heavy burden
  • Increasing fatality and injury levels on UK’s roads
    September 27, 2012
    Concern has been expressed in the UK over the release of accident statistics for 2011 that reveal an increase in road fatalities over the previous year. This is the first national rise in road deaths and serious injuries in 17 years. In all 1,901 people died on the UK’s roads in 2011, an increase of 3% of the figures for 2010 while those seriously injured rose 2% to 23,122. Interestingly, the number of fatalities fell for three types of road user, with a fall of 22% for bus and coach occupants, 10% for moto
  • Cycling safety concern in the UK
    June 25, 2021
    Cycling safety is a concern in the UK.
  • Road safety improvements have been seen in France and Turkey
    April 13, 2012
    Both France and Turkey have seen road safety improvements. In Turkey the latest data shows a slight fall in traffic accident fatalities. A recent National Police Department (NPD) research from Turkey indicates that over 10 people die/day in traffic accidents in the country. The research spans the period from 1985 to the end of 2011 and reveals that 3,440,635 were injured in traffic accidents and 152,468 people were killed. But by adding people who died in hospital afterwards, the death count is expected to