Netherlands to trial speed limits on cycle lanes
The Dutch government will allow local authorities to experiment with imposing recommended and mandatory speed limits on cycle lanes starting from next year.
The measures are part of a new multi-year plan submitted to parliament to cut the number of road accidents in the country famous for its love of bikes.
Municipalities will also be allowed to investigate whether or not electric bikes used to transport goods should be moved onto roads rather than cycle paths.
The Dutch government boasts that the Netherlands is the number-one country in the world for cycling.
'Our population of at least 17 million people shares 22.8 million bicycles,' it says.
Cycling is the second-most popular form of transport, with 36 per cent of Dutch people saying it is their most used method of getting about, compared to 45 per cent who opt for a car.
However, it is estimated the number of accidents involving cyclists will increase significantly by 2040 if current cycling policies stay the same.
Cyclists account for 39 per cent of all traffic fatalities and make up 70 per cent of victims who have been seriously injured in the Netherlands. Two thirds of those seriously injured are over 60 years old.
A budget of £42.4 million has been allocated to improving safety through increased training initiatives and efforts to cut risky behaviour such as using electric bikes 'tuned' to remove their speed limiters or running red lights.
A goal has been set for a quarter of cyclists to voluntarily wear helmets within 10 years, compared to the 4 per cent who did in 2023.
The Dutch News website said that depending on the pilot scheme the moves could be rolled out across the country.
The trial is likely to be closely watched in Britain, where there is growing disquiet over the risk posed to pedestrians by speeding cyclists.
Death by cycling
Cyclists who kill pedestrians are to face life imprisonment under new laws.
The offence of causing death by dangerous cycling will be brought into line with motoring laws following a series of amendments tabled in April.
It closes a legal loophole that meant cyclists who hit and killed or seriously injured pedestrians were charged under a law from 1861, which was intended for riders of horse-drawn carriages.
In May, an 80-year-old woman died in Manchester after being hit by a cyclist taking part in a charity bike ride.
The same month, new data revealed that cyclists were more likely than motorists to hit and injure pedestrians in London's parks.
Nine pedestrians were struck by cyclists in the capital's Royal Parks, which include Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Richmond Park, between January 2024 and April 2025.
In contrast, no pedestrians were struck by cars, accident logs held by the Royal Parks show.
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