‘Good combination with 30 limit and helmet obligation’
Following a study into the speeds on cycle paths, Rob Stomphorst of Veilig Verkeer Nederland argues in a BNR Nieuwsradio broadcast for mopeds to be moved to the roadway throughout the Netherlands. This has already happened in Utrecht and Amsterdam. The measure would go well with the upcoming national introduction of compulsory helmets for moped riders (as of 1 January) and the desire to enforce a 30 km/h limit in more places in built-up areas.
Spokesman for Safe Traffic Netherlands (VVN) Rob Stomphorst says in a broadcast of BNR Nieuwsradio that it is a good idea to move moped riders throughout the Netherlands from the cycle path to the roadway. Currently, motorized vehicles with a blue license plate must use the cycle paths everywhere, except in Utrecht and Amsterdam. Stomphorst makes the statement in response to a study into speeds on bicycle paths, carried out by data collection agency NDC Nederland. The agency conducted the research not only in large and medium-sized cities, but also outside built-up areas. In total, about 5,000 speed measurements were performed.
This shows that no fewer than 75 percent of light moped riders drive too fast, i.e. faster than 25 km/h. The average speed of moped riders is 30 km/h. Almost 30 percent of e-bikes also drive faster than 25. What is striking is that this happens more in the big cities than outside built-up areas. E-bike riders are generally in a hurry, while there is less space on the cycle paths due to the greater crowds. Moving moped riders to the roadway should result in less dangerous situations. In 2020, 68 percent (more than 13,000 people) of the seriously injured as a result of a traffic accident were cyclists, according to figures from SWOV (Foundation for Scientific Research on Road Safety).
Combination with compulsory helmet
It is therefore high time for change, VVN believes. Light-moped riders should ride on the road within built-up areas everywhere in the Netherlands, not just in Utrecht and Amsterdam. The timing for that opinion is quite favourable: as of 1 January helmets will be compulsory for moped riders. In addition, more and more municipalities are considering lowering the speed limit in built-up areas from 50 to 30 km/h, although they often encounter (n0g) non-congruent legislation.
A side note on moving moped riders’ place on the road is that the increasingly popular light electric vehicles – think of fat bikes and electric scooters – remain unaffected for the time being. They do not have to carry a license plate and can still continue to ride on the cycle path, but they often drive too fast. Legislation for such vehicles has been in the works for quite some time, but is not expected to arrive until 2024 at the earliest.
Now we are curious: the light moped to the road, is that a good idea? Let me know in the comments.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl