Research on making the Netherlands’ busy cycle routes safer

Source: CROW Fietsberaad

Engineering consultancy Sweco has conducted an analysis of the safety of busy cycle routes in the Netherlands, focusing on cycle routes with more than 150 cyclists per day on cycle paths and roads with a speed limit of 50, 60 or 80 km/h. It finds that there is opportunity to enhance the road safety of all bike and LEV users; with a one-off investment of €2.3 billion, 10,000 traffic injuries and 220 traffic deaths could be prevented over the next thirty years. 

The research was commissioned by the Netherlands’ Cylists’ Union (Fietsersbond) and construction and infrastructure association Bouwend Nederland, and was presented to the Netherlands’ House of Representatives on June 3, 2025.

50 km/h roads the highest risk

The research show that 50 km/h roads in urban areas, without separate cycle lanes, present both the highest risk of accidents, and the highest accident density. The mix of large speed differences, and high numbers of intersections, is at the root. These types of road that have 50 km/h speed limits and mixed traffic – appear most in the municipalities of Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam.

60 and 80 km/h roads do present a higher risk of accidents, but a much lower accident density, as fewer cyclists use these roads, and the car traffic intensity is lower.

Cycle paths present the lowest risk of accidents, but do see a high accident density as cycling naturally has a higher intensity.

Cycle path width

The research found that the risk of accidents is higher on cycle paths which are narrower than Netherlands’ CROW guidelines, than on wider paths. Sweco summarised the municipalities with cycle paths which are over 1 metre too narrow; Amsterdam has 183 km of narrow paths, followed by Rotterdam with 100 km and Groningen with 60 km.

How the costs would be allocated

Sweco broke down how the €2.3 billion investment would be spent, and estimates the cost benefit of implementing the measures at €9 billion, with 10,000 road injuries and 220 road deaths being prevented:

• €900,000 for downgrading 50 km/h roads which cannot accommodate a separate cycle path to 30 km/h.
• €800,000 for widening existing cycle path infrastructure
• €400,000 to create separate cycle paths along suitable 50 km/h roads

Arno Visser, chairman of Bouwend Nederland, said, “Everyone knows the unpleasant feeling of cycling on a cycle path that is too narrow and cars are whizzing past. That not only feels unpleasant, it is especially unsafe. Especially because of the increased traffic on the road. This research now shows that a financial investment is sensible and also saves lives.”

The research report can be read here.