Abstract
As part of the project "Safe bicycle and injury prevention" a literature study was done into the safety of the bicycle in road traffic, especially focused on the relation between specific characteristics of the bicycle and the origin or outcome of bicycle accidents. It is tried to find out which parts of the bicycle require further improvement. It is pointed out that there is much room for improvement of the legislation both regarding the design of safer new bicycles and regarding the condition of bicycles already in use. Seen from safety considerations, the most important aspects of the bicycle being suitable for further legislation are: brakes, lighting, driving stability and strength of the frame.