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

23 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

E-bike couriers less of a menace than casual cyclists, says SWOV

April 2, 2025
E-bike deliiveries have become a common sight. Photo: Just Eat Takeaway.com

They have a reputation as the scourge of the roads, but new research has shown delivery bike riders are safer and more law-abiding than casual cyclists in the Netherlands.

A study by road safety institute SWOV found that delivery riders were more likely to wear helmets, indicate where they were going and stop for red lights than other cyclists of the same age.

The findings came as a pleasant surprise to researcher Agnieszka Stelling, who started the research in response to a poll in which other road users complained about “reckless” behaviour by couriers.

“Obviously they’re not always exemplary riders, but neither are ordinary cyclists,” Stelling told the Telegraaf.

The research was a combination of a survey, analysis of media reports and several weeks of field work in the streets.

The number of cycle couriers and delivery services has exploded in recent years with the advent of e-bikes and cargo bikes, which allow goods and takeaway deliveries to be transported rapidly and easily.

Red lights

Couriers sailed through red lights 15.6% of the time, but for ordinary bike riders the proportion was 21.6%.

Delivery riders have more accidents than casual cyclists, mainly because they spend more time in the saddle, but 64% said that collisions were caused by other riders.

Couriers were more likely to be the victims than perpetrators of other violations or breaches of etiquette such as overtaking on the inside, refusing to give way at junctions or verbal abuse.

“I hope this research will help change people’s attitudes towards takeaway riders,” Stelling said.

Dutch News’ April 1 story this year suggested the government was planning to introduce cycling tests for foreign nationals as part of its integration drive.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Cycling 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
AEX falls as Trump threatens 50% import tariff on European goods
Dutch forensic experts develop deepfake video detector
Zaanstad says yes to tourist tickets for Zaanse Schans windmills
Fewer international child abductions by parents last year
Weekend brings showers and cooler weather, sun still possible
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