Source: Fietsberaad

The Province of Utrecht in the Netherlands is offering a free e-bike simulator and e-bike course, developed by road safety organisation Responsible Young Drivers, to municipalities, schools and festivals, with the aim of preventing accidents among young e-bike riders.

According to Fietsberaad, numbers of young people being injured in accidents which involve e-bikes have risen significantly in the Netherlands over recent years. André van Schie, Provincial Executive Member of Utrecht, recognised the importance of raising awareness to counteract this trend. “Precisely because the number of young people sustaining serious injuries as a result of an accident with a fat bike or fast electric bicycle has increased so dramatically, we, as the province of Utrecht, believe it’s important to make an extra effort to raise awareness among young people about the risks of speeding in traffic.”

The e-bike simulator and course have been developed by Responsible Young Drivers, a road-safety organisation aimed at, and run by, young people. In the e-bike simulator activity, participants wear VR glasses to explore and experience a range of traffic situations from the point of view of an e-bike rider, allowing them to see how an e-bike’s speed, and unexpected situations, can influence their riding behaviour and reactions. Following the VR activity, the participants discuss with staff the risks of riding an e-bike, and receive advice on handling them effectively in real-life traffic.

The e-bike course involves a race in which participants experience an e-bike’s speed and power in a safe setting, and a practical skills element in which participants become familiarised with maneuvering an e-bike, as well as the different difficulty levels and risks compared to traditional, non-electric bikes.

Representatives in Utrecht of municipalities, educational and after-school facilities and other suitable events can request the free simulator and course, by emailing regina@ryd.nl.