Starting next year, several traffic fines in the Netherlands will increase. This is due to a draft cabinet indexation decision that will increase the fines by 2.7%, effective January 1, 2027.
As a result, the fine for using a cell phone while biking will rise from €170 to €180, and the fine for riding a bike while driving will rise from €120 to €130. In Belgium, both offenses carry the same fine of €174.
Overall, 9 of the 16 most common bicycle fines in the Netherlands will increase by an average of 4.3%.
If you’re under 16, you pay half the price
Other cyclist fines that will increase by €10 include improper passing, blocking an intersection, and obstructing public transit passengers as they board or exit. These violations will all cost €130.
Cycling without lights and with broken brakes will also cost more, with both fines rising from €75 to €80.
Incorrect or defective lighting, such as a light of the wrong color or one that is not securely fastened, also results in an €80 fine. Flashing or blinding bicycle lights also result in an €80 fine. Detachable or clip-on bike lights are permitted, as long as they are securely fastened and visible.
Anyone who cycles against traffic will pay €80 instead of €75. This also applies to anyone who does not use the bike path when it is required. Cycling under the influence or riding a bicycle on the highway still carries the same fine, €200. A broken bicycle bell comes in at €50.
For young people under 16, fines are usually half. In 2027, they will be fined €90 for, say, holding a phone while riding a bike.
Fines should be proportionate to the severity
“In addition to risking a higher traffic fine, unsafe situations are more likely to lead to accidents,” says Nick Brendel, an insurance expert at Overstappen.nl, the comparison website that compiled a list of traffic fines for cyclists that are set to increase.
“Especially with expensive bikes like e-bikes, the property damage from a crash can be quite costly. Bicycle insurance can cover some of those costs, but safe behavior on the road naturally prevents most of the trouble.”
Some criticism in the Netherlands focuses on the relationship between fines and the severity of the offense. For example, running a red light on a bicycle is often more dangerous than briefly looking at your phone on a quiet road, but the fine is lower.
The General Dutch Cyclists’ Association (ANWB) believes fines should match the offense’s severity and promote traffic safety.
The Public Prosecution Service previously warned that the amounts no longer match those for more serious crimes. The fine for using a cell phone has been deliberately kept high to deter such behavior, especially while cycling. Traffic fines for car drivers will also increase starting January 1, 2027.
