People riding electric bikes which can travel at speeds of up to 45 kph will have to wear a special helmet from next January, the government has decided.

The helmets resemble those used by racing bike riders but are thicker and specially developed for e-bikes, or pedelecs, the Volkskrant said on Thursday.

Helmets will not be compulsory for e-bikes with a maximum speed of 25 kph.

Fast e-bikes will also have a yellow number plate and must travel on roads, not cycle lanes.

Cyclists union Fietsersbond is enthusiastic about the new, approved helmet because it was opposed to the transport ministry’s earlier plans to make fast e-bike users wear a motorbike helmet as protection.

However, it does not support the decision to make the use of helmets compulsory.