In 2002 the use of handheld phones while driving was banned in The Netherlands. In the beginning of 2006 a member of the Dutch House of Representatives asked about the risks of using a mobile phone while cycling. Empirical studies and data about cycling accidents in relation to the use of mobile phones are lacking. Therefore the risk of using a mobile phone while cycling is estimated by a literature study and induction. The report estimates that the number of severe accidents caused by the use of mobile phones while cycling are small. The report approximates that about 1 promille of the fatalities in the Netherlands are caused by the use of a mobile phone while cycling. This is based on the following assumptions: cyclists between 5 and 60 years of age use their mobile phone 1% of their time while cycling; and the relative risk of mobile phone use while cycling is 2.
Abstract