70% of seriously injured people are cyclists
Road accidents remain extremely dangerous, especially for cyclists. The latest State of Road Safety 2024 paints a worrying picture: last year, 7,400 Dutch people were seriously injured in traffic. While there has been a slight decrease compared to previous years, the figures remain alarmingly high. Most alarming is that cyclists were involved in 70 percent of these accidents, according to the Foundation for Scientific Research on Road Safety (SWOV). This makes them by far the highest-risk group. A key contributor to these figures is the vulnerability of cyclists in increasingly busy traffic environments. Electric bicycles and speed pedelecs are becoming increasingly popular, which not only means higher speeds but also increased risks, especially on cycle paths that are not designed for this mix of traffic. In addition, accidents involving cars and trucks remain a major factor in accidents involving cyclists.
Besides infrastructure, behavior also plays a significant role. Smartphone use while cycling and driving is a growing problem. Research shows that distraction is one of the biggest causes of traffic accidents. At the same time, more and more people are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, endangering not only cyclists but also other road users.
Minister Barry Madlener (Transport) says he is determined to reverse the upward trend. He advocates for stricter enforcement, more educational campaigns, and infrastructure adjustments to better protect vulnerable road users. He is also exploring measures to crack down on dangerous behavior, such as drunk driving and smartphone use.
However, the question remains whether these measures will be sufficient to achieve a lasting reduction in the figures. Cyclists remain the highest-risk group for the time being, and without structural changes in both policy and behavior, the situation will remain alarming.
Most serious bicycle accidents did not involve other vehicles. They are often caused by slippery roads, obstacles, or the cyclist's own misjudgment.
