The electrically driven bicycle is equipped with an auxiliary-engine that is switched on when a certain pedalling power is applied. The legal position of this type of bicycle in the Netherlands is, at this moment in time, dual. According to the Road Traffic Act, it is a `normal' bicycle for which the behavioural rules for cyclists apply. According to the Dutch Motor Vehicle Liability Law, however, it is a bicycle with an auxiliary-engine and, just like light mopeds, insurance is obligatory. Many are of the opinion, however, that the electrically assisted bicycle is more like a bicycle than a light moped. The insurance obligation therefore makes purchasing this bicycle type more difficult, whereas it is a environmentally friendly means of transport. The Ministry of Justice maintains that the electrically assisted bicycle can be exempted from insurance, if it appears that riding this bicycle type presents no extra danger to the other road users than an ordinary bicycle. In this study, the accident risk of electrically assisted bicycles both for the riders themselves and for other road users was estimated. In addition, the influence of these bicycles on the accident risk of the whole category of lightly-motorised two-wheelers was dealt with in a qualitative sense.
Samenvatting