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Bicycles

The Netherlands, with an average of 850 kilometres of cycling per inhabitant per year, can be called a real bicycle country. 7.5% of all kilometres travelled are done by bicycle. Of all European countries, only Denmark cycles more. Especially for those at secondary school the bicycle is an important mode of transport: they use the bicycle for as much as 52% of all their journeys

Risk

Most bicycle crashes occur on urban roads in conflicts with cars. There are relatively many casualties among the over-50s and the 12-17 year olds.

 

During the last 30 years the number of registered cyclist deaths has halved. This decrease, however, is smaller than that of the total number of road deaths. The proportion of bicycle fatalities in regards to the total number of road deaths is almost three times larger than the proportion of bicycle kilometres is in regards to the total number of kilometres travelled.

Measures

Infrastructural measures, vehicle improvements, and education should further lower the cyclists' crash rate.

Fast traffic should be physically separated from slow traffic as much as possible so as to prevent large speed differences in the same lane. Distributor roads should preferably all be equipped with bicycle facilities on road segments and intersections. For all vulnerable road users, including cyclists, crossing over is risky. Providing crossing facilities can further reduce the cyclists' crash rate.

 

Vehicle improvements refer to the bicycle itself, for example the use of reflectors and proper lighting, as well as to the crash opponents. Lorries are increasingly being equipped with special mirrors, and side underrun protection between their axles can also improve cyclists' road safety. This last measure prevents cyclists sliding under the lorry and being run over after a crash or after falling from their bicycle.

 

As cyclists suffer head injury more frequently than other road users, wearing a bicycle helmet should be encouraged, especially among children.

 

For more details:

Fact sheet Bicycles (pdf)

References

(SWOV reports in Dutch have an English summary)

 

Bloks, L.A.M., Vriend, I., Goldenbeld, Ch. & Schaalma, H. (2006). Fietshelmgebruik door jonge kinderen in Nederland; De rol van de ouders. In: Tijdschrift voor Gezondheidswetenschappen TSG, vol. 84, nr. 2, p. 76-82.

 

CROW (2006). Ontwerpwijzer fietsverkeer. Publicatie 230. CROW, Ede.

 

Lammar, P. (2005). Overzicht van preventieve maatregelen ter bescherming van kinderen als zwakke weggebruiker (fietser of voetganger). RA-2005-68. Steunpunt Verkeersveiligheid, Diepenbeek.

 

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat (1998). Eindrapport Masterplan Fiets; Samenvatting, evaluatie en overzicht van de projecten in het kader van het Masterplan Fiets, 1990-1997. Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, Directoraat-Generaal Personenvervoer, 's-Gravenhage.

 

Schepers, J.P. (2006). Evaluatie van de maatregel Voorrang fietsers van rechts; Formele regels versus informele regels. Rijkswaterstaat, Minsterie van Verkeer & Waterstaat, Rotterdam.

 

Schoon, C.C. (2003). Cyclist – car front collisions; factors that influence occurrence and injury severity. R-2003-33. SWOV, Leidschendam. (In Dutch).

 

Schoon, C.C. (2006). The problem of lorries turning right; An analysis based on crashes in 2003 and the new European guidelines beginning in 2007 R-2006-2. SWOV, Leidschendam. (In Dutch).

 

Schoon, C.C. & Blokpoel, A. (2000). Frequency and causes of single-vehicle cyclist accidents; an accident analysis based on a survey of cyclist victims. R-2000-20. SWOV, Leidschendam. (In Dutch).

 

Schoon, C.C. & Polak, P.H. (1998). Normen en eisen voor fietsverlichting, fietszitjes en voorreflectoren. R-98-25. SWOV, Leidschendam.

 

Towner, E., Dowswell, T., Burkes, M., Dickinson, H., Towner, J. & Hayes, M. (2002). Bicycle helmets: a review of their effectiveness; a critical review of the literature. Road Safety Research Report No. 30. Department for Transport DfT, London.