DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

18 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Sharp rise in traffic deaths, particularly among elderly cyclists

April 18, 2023
Photo: DutchNews.nl
Photo: DutchNews.nl

Last year 737 people were killed in accidents on Dutch roads, the highest figure since 2008, according to a new report by national statistics office CBS.

In particular, more elderly cyclists were killed – they accounted for 150 of the 291 cyclists who died – and their number is going up every year, the CBS said.

Cyclists accounted for the highest number of deaths, rising 84 on 2021, when the roads were quieter because of coronavirus. A further 225 died in a car. The rest were either on a motorbike, pedestrians or using a mobility scooter.

Men were more than twice as likely as women to die in a traffic accident, the CBS said.

As yet is is unclear what role the rise in popularity of e-bikes has had in the increased death toll. More e-bikes are involved in fatal accidents but more are on the roads.

And despite the increase in road deaths, the total is still well below that of 1960s and 70s. In the peak year of 1972, before compulsory seat belts were introduced, 3,264 people died in road accidents.

Helmets

Martijntje Bakker, the director of road safety lobby group VeiligheidNL, told broadcaster NOS that bike helmets would reduce the chance of a head injury by 62% and would be particularly beneficial to children and the elderly.

The government has so far resisted calls for compulsory helmets because of public resistance and the cycling union Fietsersbond is also opposed.

It argues that research shows fewer people would cycle if helmets were compulsory, it would give people a false sense of security and that other measures, such as lower speed limits and safer infrastructure would be more effective in reducing fatal accidents.

At the end of 2018, the government drew up a plan to reduce the number of road deaths to zero by 2030.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Tens of thousands protest against cabinet’s Israel stance
Veterans’ day as PSV’s Perisic and De Jong seal Eredivisie title
The politics of emotion: we are poorer without Pieter Omtzigt
Claude finishes 12th in Eurovision despite early hopes
Podcast: The Trappist Monks Can't Bottle It Like Ajax Edition
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now