This paper provides an overview of the ownership, use and safety of bicycles in the Netherlands. The paper explains the road hazard of cyclists, on the basis of both the traffic circumstances including the layout of roads, and the behaviour of both cyclists and car drivers. The possibilities for improving the safety of cyclists are: (1) road adaptations. Examples are: (a) the construction of cycle tracks along busy roads within built-up areas; (b) the application of small roundabouts inside built-up areas; and (c) the application of 'woonerven'; (2) changes in the car drivers' behaviour towards cyclists by means of: (i) publicity; (ii) driver training; (iii) behavioural norms; and (iv) police enforcement; and (3) changes in the behaviour of cyclists by means of better traffic lessons. The paper emphasises that the bicycle use should only be stimulated on a large scale, after the cyclists' safety has further been improved.
Abstract