Cycling fatalities are rising in the Netherlands – so, why are we still trying to emulate their approach to road safety?

The Netherlands has long been lauded as a safe cycling nation. But, writes Vincent Stops, new data shows that cycling fatalities and rates per billion kilometres are on the rise, with the increased use of e-bikes, especially by older people, seen as a possible reason. In Great Britain, meanwhile, cycling fatalities are going down, he points out, and asks: should we still be trying to emulate the Dutch approach to road safety?

Number of traffic deaths per billion kms for car occupants, cyclists and pedestrians 2012-2022 in the Netherlands. Sources: distance travelled: KiM; traffic deaths: CBS; calculation KiM

Number of traffic deaths per billion kms for car occupants, cyclists and pedestrians 2012-2022 in the Netherlands. Sources: distance travelled: KiM; traffic deaths: CBS; calculation KiM

Reported road fatalities per billion miles travelled by road user type in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

Reported road fatalities per billion miles travelled by road user type in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

The surge in cycle activism during the 2010s was driven by blogging and social media campaigning, at the heart of which was the belief that in the Netherlands there was much more cycling, and that it was safer, per kilometre cycled.

The London Cycling Campaign adopted the strap line ‘Love London, Go-Dutch’, which meant, essentially, inserting cycle tracks into London’s streets. However, 15 years on, Dutch cycle safety does not seem to support their thesis. In fact, the scale...

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