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.