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The four-wheeled moped: a new phenomenon in the Netherlands

 

A new phenomenon on the Dutch road is the four-wheeled moped. A four-wheeled moped is a mini passenger car with a top speed of 45 km/h. In compliance with the guidelines of the European Union (EU), the four-wheeled moped should be admitted on Dutch roads; however, it is up to the member states to impose their own specific user rules. In the present situation in the Netherlands, a four wheeled moped is permitted to use the cycle tracks; the minimum age for the drivers is 16 years.

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works has asked the SWOV to carry out an initial exploration of the consequences of introducing the four-wheeled moped in the Netherlands with respect to road safety. For this study (R-95-31) most important information was obtained from importers of the four-wheeled mopeds, from sister organisations of SWOV in France, Italy and Belgium and from the Road Traffic Division of the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Public Works.

 

Market

It was established that the prime target group consists of people aged from fifty-five to sixty and above, who do not possess a driving licence. The selling price of a four-wheeled moped is high in comparison to a small passenger car. For this reason too, the number of vehicles on the road is expected to remain small overall (sales on an annual basis of 500 to 700 of such cars).

 

Safety

In France, the risk figure (injury accidents per 109 vehicle kilometres) is higher for the four-wheeled moped than for the passenger car. Relatively many accidents occurred with left hand turning manoeuvres and when crossing the road.

If seat belts are worn and the four-wheeled moped is not used in an environment where speeds above 50 km/h are permitted, the four-wheeled moped offers a reasonable degree of safety to its occupants; the sides of the four-wheeled moped appear to be the weakest element.

 

Restrictions

It was concluded that the four-wheeled moped does not fit into the development of a sustainably safe road and traffic system. After all, this system is designed to make traffic situations simpler and clearer, also by restricting the number of vehicle types on the road. The arrival of the four-wheeled moped in contrast implies an expansion in scope. It is therefore desirable to restrict the user options such that their use does not lead to hazardous situations.

With respect to use, it is recommended to prohibit admission of the four-wheeled moped to cycle paths. Inside the built up area, the four-wheeled moped could in principle only be permitted on roads with a maximum speed of 50 km/h; outside the built up area, the four-wheeled moped should not be permitted at all.

Drivers of these vehicles should have a specific type of driving licence; it is recommended to set the minimum age for driving a four-wheeled moped at eighteen years.

With respect to the vehicle, it is recommended to introduce a vehicle document for the four-wheeled moped for purposes of enforcement, and to devote extra attention to the recognition of this category of vehicle by fellow road users.

SWOV Research Activities 5 - March 1996

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