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A quarter of cyclists must voluntarily wear a helmet within ten years. This goal is stated in a plan that Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management) shared with the House of Representatives. Currently, around 4 percent of Dutch people cycle with a helmet.
With 25 percent of cyclists wearing helmets, Madlener expects a “self-reinforcing effect of copycat behavior” that will encourage more and more cyclists to wear helmets. “The provisional end goal is for most cyclists to wear a helmet,” he said. This would prevent an estimated 50 road deaths and 800 serious injuries annually.
Madlener looks to Denmark for inspiration. There, half of adults and 80 percent of children have been persuaded to wear helmets when cycling. The approach is public campaigns, education, and the promotion of an affordable and attractive range of helmets.
In the Netherlands, the minister wants to focus on parents of children under 12, commuters, and senior citizens. For them, “authentic testimonials from experts”, discount offers, and “try-on campaigns” are available. Madlener is now drawing up the helmet plan.
The aim is to see the first “courage makers” on the roads next spring..
