The number of youngsters who drive a moped has halved since 2007, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.

The CBS says 16 to 20-year-olds owned some 89,000 mopeds nine years ago, but this had plunged to 41,000 at the beginning of this year. By contrast, the number of over-50s with a moped soared by over 200,000 to 483,186.

Industry association Bovag said the introduction of a separate driving licence for mopeds in 2010 has had an impact on their popularity among teenagers. In addition, electric bikes are also proving a hit with youngsters, Bovag said.

The government is currently working on legislation which will ban all types of mopeds from bike lanes and require all users to wear a helmet.

The CBS research covers two categories of mopeds: the brommer or scooter with a maximum speed of 45 kph and the snorfiets, which can travel at up to 25 kph and which does not currently require use of a helmet.