During a busy Thursday morning in downtown Amsterdam, cyclist Fallon Albrecht expressed a common sentiment among riders, stating, “It’s every person for themselves.” Despite a national campaign promoting helmet use, Albrecht, 39, was not wearing one, citing her hairstyle as the reason.
According to government statistics, the Netherlands has more bicycles than people, yet helmet usage remains low. This has sparked a debate balancing traffic safety with the cultural significance of cycling in the country.
Recent data from the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics revealed that cyclists accounted for the highest number of road fatalities in the previous year, with 246 deaths, compared to 220 car occupants and 59 pedestrians. On average, 199 cyclists have died annually in traffic accidents since 2000, with head injuries being a leading cause in nearly two-thirds of these cases over the last five years.
In response to these alarming statistics, authorities have launched awareness campaigns to encourage helmet use, including a recent initiative called “Put It On,” which utilized television ads, social media, and school activities to promote helmet safety. Research indicates that helmets can reduce fatal cycling injuries by 70 percent.
However, some advocates argue that safety messages should focus on drivers and infrastructure improvements rather than solely on helmet use. Esther van Garderen, national director of Fietsersbond, emphasized the need to address the root causes of accidents rather than placing the onus on cyclists.
Fietsersbond advocates for lower speed limits in urban areas and smaller vehicles to enhance safety for cyclists. Urban planning professor Marco te Brömmelstroet criticized the helmet campaign as an “ideological smoke screen,” suggesting that it misrepresents cycling as inherently dangerous in a nation where biking is a daily activity for many.
Te Brömmelstroet proposed that the campaign should instead focus on broader issues such as traffic crashes and road safety. He also pointed out the contradiction in promoting helmet use while the infrastructure minister had recently increased speed limits for cars.
In response, a spokeswoman for the infrastructure minister defended the government's approach, stating that both helmet promotion and investment in safe infrastructure are necessary for cyclist safety.
Reactions to the helmet campaign among Amsterdam cyclists varied. Nelleke Doornbal, 64, supported mandatory helmet rules, citing the serious consequences of brain injuries. Conversely, Berend Ramuz, 26, expressed skepticism about the campaign's effectiveness, noting that helmet use is not a common practice.
Jop de Vrieze, 42, shared his personal experience of a cycling accident that led him to wear a helmet, especially after his son questioned his safety habits. This highlights the ongoing conversation about the importance of helmet use and cycling safety in the Netherlands.