Police figures show that the number of serious road injuries was also high in 2023, and again rose slightly compared to the previous year.
Road safety in Amsterdam is high on the agenda, as is evident from the Road Safety Monitor and the Bicycle Monitor. In 2023, the municipality has taken measures in 73 places to improve road safety. These interventions mainly took place at locations where accidents had previously occurred. The municipality emphasizes However, there is still a lot of work to be done to make Amsterdam safer for all road users.
A major concern is the increase in electric bicycles, such as e-bikes and fatbikes, which are increasingly speeding. The municipality is therefore calling for action from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Minister Barry Madlener (PVV) is being asked to take stricter measures against tuning these bicycles. According to traffic experts, tuning e-bikes leads to dangerous situations, especially on the city's narrow and busy cycle paths. There is a plea for stricter enforcement and technical checks to prevent these speeding violations.
In addition to tackling electric bicycles, Amsterdam is committed to improving the design of its roads. For example, the municipality is working on tackling so-called black spots, locations where accidents regularly occur. These dangerous intersections and roads are given priority in the redesign. More space is created for pedestrians and cyclists. Drastic measures are being taken, especially at schools. For example, more and more school streets are being introduced, where traffic around schools is closed to motorized traffic at certain times to ensure the safety of children. This concept, which has already been successful in other cities, ensures quieter and safer streets during school hours.
In Amsterdam, many single-sided bicycle accidents occur each year, in which cyclists fall after hitting the curb. These accidents, which often cause unnecessary injuries, are a source of concern for the municipality. In order to address this problem, a study was launched into the safety of curbs along cycle paths. This study examined whether a more sloping curb could contribute to a safer cycling environment. The results of the study were clear. A sloping curb, also known as a 'forgiving sloping curb', turned out to be a much safer option than traditional vertical curbs.
According to the municipality, extra enforcement and behavioral change are essential to further reduce the number of accidents. Campaigns aimed at making road users aware of the risks they themselves run or cause are used to stimulate behavioral change. Traffic education is also playing an increasingly important role, with lessons given at schools to teach young people at an early age how to move safely in traffic.
The discussion about the maximum speed on cycle paths is alive and well among the people of Amsterdam. In a recent survey, conducted by the municipality among 1000 residents spread over 20 different locations in the city, the opinion of the residents about a possible speed limit on the cycle path was asked. The results are clear: 80 percent of the respondents would like to see a speed limit on the cycle path. Of this group, 37 percent think that the limit should be lower than the current limit of 25 kilometers per hour. Another group of almost a third is satisfied with the current speed of 25 kilometers per hour. Only 14 percent of the respondents see no point in a speed limit and do not want there to be a limit.
"We want to be a city where children can cycle or walk to school independently and safely, where the elderly enjoy cycling and where everyone can get from A to B in a relaxed manner. Cooperation is crucial to reduce the number of road casualties. I expect the board to adopt the Implementation Plan 2025 at the end of 2024 and then present it to you."
Concerns about speed on cycle paths are linked to the explosive growth of electric bicycles in the city. Counts from June 2023 show that 20 to 30 percent of all bicycles in the city are now electric. These e-bikes make cycling easier for many people, especially for longer distances or elderly people who have difficulty with a regular bicycle. But the higher speeds also create dangerous situations, especially on busy cycle paths where cyclists of different speeds and abilities mix. The municipality hopes that by introducing speed limits, enforcement and changing behaviour, safety on cycle paths can be improved.
The need for action is great. With the increasing number of road users and the traffic on the roads, the city must prepare for further growth, without this being at the expense of road safety. The municipality will continue to implement its road safety policy in the coming years and will continue to press for support from the government for national measures, especially in the area of electric bicycles.
planning
In 2025, the municipality of Amsterdam will take the next step in improving traffic safety and mobility in the city. A new implementation plan is currently being worked on, with an emphasis on further cooperation between different parties and increasing the efficiency of measures on the street. The plan is based on input from various stakeholders, such as residents, experts and the city districts, to ensure that the chosen measures are widely supported and effective.
An important part of the new implementation plan is the approach to fast e-bikes, which increasingly cause nuisance and dangerous situations on cycle paths. These fast electric bicycles, which are often tuned up, can reach speeds comparable to those of mopeds, which endangers the safety of other cyclists. Stricter enforcement of speed and the introduction of speed limits on cycle paths are therefore key points in the new plans. In addition, the municipality will continue to focus on traffic enforcement in general, with extra focus on places where many accidents occur and where violations, such as ignoring traffic rules, are common.
