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The government sets rules to reduce the number of moped accidents.

As of January 1, 2023, it is mandatory to wear a helmet throughout the Netherlands on a light moped. Riding a light moped with the wind in your hair will no longer be possible from 1 January 2023.

Many light moped drivers are disappointed by the new legislation and wonder whether mopeds have fallen out of favor as a result and young people are opting en masse for mopeds, something that will not benefit safety. The e-bike also appears to be a popular replacement. There are currently no plans to make helmets compulsory for fat bikers, but there are still concerns about the safety of electric bicycles.

cities

Riding with a helmet on is nothing new. You already have to do this if you ride a light moped in Amsterdam or Utrecht. because in these 2 cities moped riders must ride on the roadway in certain places and wear a helmet. As of 1 January 2023, the helmet requirement also applies to moped riders on cycle paths.

Until then, a helmet is only mandatory for moped riders on the roadway in Amsterdam and Utrecht. The idea behind this new law is that wearing a helmet prevents serious head injuries in accidents. You must wear an approved moped helmet or an approved speed pedelec helmet.

approved

You can recognize an approved moped helmet by a circle with a capital E in it. There is a number after the E, and each number represents an EU country. In the Netherlands, approved helmets are given the number 4. All helmets approved in the EU comply. You can recognize an approved speed pedelec helmet by the marking NTA 8776:2016.

The light moped looks like a normal moped, but can be recognized by the blue markings and travels at a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. The government sets rules to reduce the number of accidents involving mopeds. Part of this is that all moped riders and any passengers must wear a helmet from 1 January 2023. If you do not wear a helmet on a moped after January 1, 2023, you can be fined 100 euros.

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Sometimes moped riders are required to use the roadway. The municipality and other road authorities can decide this for cycle paths that are very busy. Then there is a lower sign that moves moped riders to the roadway.

If your moped has been tuned up, the police can give your vehicle the Wait Op Inspection status (WOK status). You are then no longer allowed to drive that light moped until you have reduced the maximum speed again. To do this, you must have the RDW inspect your light moped. The costs of the inspection are for your account. In this way, the government wants to increase road safety.

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From January 1, 2023, riders of a moped (blue license plate) must wear a helmet.
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