The number of people killed in traffic in the Netherlands has increased by more than one-quarter, despite the growing number of safety systems in cars. According to the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, CBS), the number of traffic deaths is the highest since 2008. Last year, 737 road deaths were registered, 155 more than in 2021.

The Netherlands is the only country in the world where more people die in traffic on a bike (39%) than in a car (31%). Among the total number of road casualties, 291 people were cycling. Striking is that cyclists over the age of 75, in particular, are more often victims: 150 in 2022 and 94 one year before. A similar phenomenon is seen in Belgium.

Increased mobility of elderly

The increase, however, does not come as a surprise. CBS experts have seen the number of (elderly) road deaths rise for some time. According to Ruben van Gaalen of CBS, it has to do with the increased mobility of the elderly, a – vulnerable – group that is also growing. Another explanation is the popularity of the e-bike. “And an accident with an e-bike usually has more serious consequences,” van Gaalen states.

The Central Bureau for Driving Skils (Centraal Bureau voor Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR), therefore, rather sees the good of a kind of training for those who buy an e-bike.

Helmet

According to the traffic safety organization Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN), cyclists should wear a helmet. The organization is not in favor of the compulsory use of helmets but would definitely recommend it. “It would be nice if it became more normal to use one, just like in Germany or Denmark,” says Rob Stomphorst, spokesperson for VVN. In Denmark, one in two adult cyclists wears a helmet.

Also, doctors and safety organizations have been pleading for a (mandatory) bicycle helmet. “It can significantly reduce brain injuries,” they say, “especially for children and e-bikers.” Research shows that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of brain injury by one-third; the chance of a head injury is reduced by 62%.

Eager to cycle

Most fatal accidents (140) happened in North Brabant. Also, in North and South Holland and Gelderland, the number of casualties increased. Only in the province of Utrecht, the number of traffic deaths decreased. Among the victims were, on average, more men (522) than women (215).

Experts fear that the number of road casualties will still increase spectacularly in the coming years, partly due to the growing group of seniors, which is not only growing fast but increasingly eager to cycle.

In time, the mandatory wearing of a helmet will be introduced, traffic organization ANWB predicts. Seat belts in a car were also recommended before they became mandatory.