Our deadly love for cars: Why cycling is more dangerous than ever

Cars remain the biggest threat to road safety, despite improvements in their design. While cars are becoming safer for their occupants, the danger to cyclists and pedestrians is increasing. This creates a vicious cycle: parents choose to drive their children to school for safety reasons, which actually increases the amount of car traffic around schools, and thus the dangers. Although the Netherlands wants to encourage cycling for a healthier and more livable city, cars continue to dominate. The solution lies in drastically reducing car traffic, as Oslo has shown with their successful approach.

The daily tragedy

The SWOV Report paints a grim picture. In 2023, there were 684 traffic fatalities in the Netherlands. These aren't just statistics; these are lives. Behind each number is a story of loss and grief. Of the traffic fatalities, 39% were cyclists and 10% pedestrians. This means that almost half of all traffic fatalities are vulnerable road users. The number of serious injuries is even higher: 110,000 traffic victims were treated in emergency rooms, of which 7,400 were seriously injured. Among the seriously injured, 70% are cyclists. These figures show a clear pattern: the most vulnerable road users are most often victims.

The car as perpetrator

When looking at the opposing party in fatal accidents, the picture becomes even clearer. In fatal cycling accidents, a car is most often the opposing party. In 2022 and 2023, the number of cycling deaths in accidents involving cars increased by 7% per year. Cars are becoming safer for occupants but pose a growing danger to other road users. The trend toward increasingly larger and heavier SUVs only compounds this problem. This creates a perverse incentive: those who feel unsafe choose a car, making the road even more unsafe for others.

False solutions and victim blaming

The discussion about road safety often focuses on the wrong solutions. For instance, there's talk about mandatory helmet use for cyclists. This is a classic example of 'victim blaming': the victim must adapt. Research from 2021 shows that mandatory helmet use leads to reduced cycling. This has two negative effects: less exercise (thus poorer public health) and increased car use (thus even more unsafe roads). The Cyclists' Union opposes mandatory helmet use and advocates for real solutions: safe infrastructure and lower speeds for cars.

The Oslo model: A proven approach

Some cities show that change is possible. Since 2015, Oslo has chosen a radically different approach. The city has built 50 kilometers of cycle paths and removed 4,250 parking spaces. Nearly two-thirds of the road network now has a speed limit of 30 km/h. The result? In 2019, there were no traffic fatalities among pedestrians and cyclists. This proves that zero traffic deaths is not a utopia but an achievable goal with the right measures.

Dutch cities in motion

Changes are also happening in the Netherlands. Amsterdam now has a 30 kilometer per hour speed limit on 80% of its roads. Utrecht already had 70% of roads with a 30 km/h limit and is expanding this further. The RAI Association even advocates for uniform traffic rules throughout the Netherlands with 30 km/h as the standard in built-up areas. These are steps in the right direction but not yet sufficient. It's not just about speed but also about the volume of car traffic.

The way forward

The solution lies in fundamentally redesigning our cities. Oslo has shown this is possible: they aim to reduce car traffic by one-third by 2030. In the Netherlands, we need similar ambitions. The Strategic Road Safety Plan 2030 aims for zero traffic casualties by 2050. This requires drastic measures: more car-free zones, extensive cycling infrastructure, and most importantly: less space for cars. Only then can we break the vicious cycle and make our streets safe again for everyone.

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