Netherlands to ban texting while cycling from 2019

Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen of Infrastructure and Water Management wants to ban smartphone use while cycling. She is currently discussing how to implement and enforce such a ban with the police, Public Prosecutor and Council of State, and will present a concrete proposal next year.

According to Van Nieuwenhuizen, there is "great support in society and politics" for banning smartphone use on the bicycle. If the proposal is accepted, the ban can be implemented in 2019. The Ministry is also working with over 40 organizations to promote te safe use of smartphones in traffic, and a new campaign will be launched next year.

In January a survey by the previous Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment showed that three quarters of Netherlands residents are in favor of banning smartphone use while cycling.

In December last year former Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen also announced that she was working on a ban for this. Cyclist association Fietsersbond called such a law unenforceable.