Cabinet plans to allow Amsterdam city council to ban scooters from cycle tracks came under fire from VVD parliamentarians on Tuesday.

During a debate on infrastructure minister Melanie Schultz’ plans, MPs from her own party called for clear traffic rules across the country. ‘Traffic rules cannot differ on a city by city or even district by district basis,’ MP Barbara Visser is quoted as saying by broadcaster Nos.

‘That is far too confusing and will lead to dangerous situations,’ she said.

Last month, Schultz said she is prepared to allow local experiments to reduce access to cycle paths. Amsterdam city council wants to move scooters – small mopeds which can travel at speeds of up to 30 kph – to the roads and to require drivers to wear a helmet.

Motoring organisations Bovag and Rai are also concerned about the safety of scooter drivers if they are forced off the cycle paths. ‘We do not believe that politicians can take this decision without being aware of the possibly of fatal consequences,’ Bovag is quoted as saying.

The number of scooters on the Dutch roads has doubled compared with 10 years ago, Bovag says.