Amsterdam likely to ban scooters from bike paths

Transport Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen is paving the way for Amsterdam to ban scooters from bike paths. Scooter drivers may soon only be allowed to ride their scooters on regular roadways while wearing a helmet.

The Minister told the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, that she is changing the rules in a letter on Tuesday, Het Parool reports. She believes that it is possible to ban scooters from bike paths in the city "with proper care" by simultaneously introducing the local requirement of wearing a helmet.

With this the years long battle to ban scooters from bike paths and introduce a helmet obligation now seems to be coming to an end. And that with the Dutch capital victorious, despite always getting opposition from the Tweede Kamer. Though the lengthy procedure of getting the proposal through the Tweede Kamer, may mean that the city still has at least six months to wait before implementing the new rules.

Amsterdam alderman for traffic Pieter Litjens told the newspaper that "this is good news for Amsterdam".