Mixed reactions as Cabinet proposes helmet requirement for under-18 e-bikers

Veilig Verkeer Netherlands (VVN) is pleased with the Cabinet’s decision to introduce a helmet requirement for youths under 18 riding electric bikes. The organization called this a “good first step.” VVN has long advocated helmet use for all ages on e-bikes. “We hope that as the streets fill with children wearing helmets, it becomes normal and more people will start wearing them,” said a VVN spokesperson.

According to VVN, wearing a helmet significantly reduces the risk of serious or even fatal brain injuries in an e-bike accident. “If you fall hard at e-bike speed, the chance of brain injury is substantial.” The organization also noted that children are riding e-bikes at increasingly younger ages. While VVN prefers children to learn cycling on a regular bike, it recognizes that many parents choose e-bikes.

The helmet requirement is easy to check: you either wear it or you don’t, VVN said. “It does require some enforcement, but it must be enforced.” VVN sees helmet use as a long-term effort, but believes this measure will give it a boost.

Police union ACP warned that enforcement is crucial. “It depends on how high a priority helmet enforcement is and whether there is enough police capacity,” said a spokesperson.

ACP also emphasized that raising awareness among the government and parents is important, as was the case when the scooter helmet requirement was introduced.

The measure was also positively received in Amsterdam and The Hague. Amsterdam traffic alderman Melanie van der Horst is pleased that “after years of urging, measures are finally coming” to address fatbike problems. “This better protects children and sends a clear message that e-bikes can be dangerous for children.”

She noted that the helmet requirement could only come into effect in two years and advocates additional measures, such as rules for e-scooters, which have also caused accidents.

The Hague also expressed their support for the plan. Alderman for mobility Arjen Kapteijns said it is good that national measures are finally being taken to address the risks of fatbikes and e-bikes. The Association of Dutch Municipalities also backed the proposal, noting that many municipalities experience unsafe situations involving fatbikes.

RAI Vereniging, BOVAG, ANWB, and the Fietsersbond warned that a helmet requirement does not address the core issues around fatbikes. They argue that age-based helmet rules mainly discourage e-bike use, while the main problems, modified fatbikes, illegal imports, and dangerous behavior, remain unaddressed. They propose better enforcement, awareness among youths and parents, and a certification system for fatbikes.

The organizations also fear that a helmet requirement will reduce youth cycling and that there is insufficient public support. “Research shows a large majority of Dutch people oppose a helmet requirement, even specifically for e-bikes. Measures without public support are rarely followed,” the groups said.

Emergency doctors support the measure. Yara Basta, chair of the Dutch Association of Emergency Physicians (NVSHA), said that the helmet requirement could prevent many concussions and serious brain injuries.

“Schoolchildren do not yet have enough traffic awareness to safely ride at e-bike speeds,” Basta said. Early helmet use could also help youths continue wearing helmets as adults, increasing safety and reducing healthcare costs.

Emergency departments have seen a doubling in visits due to e-bike accidents from 2020 to 2024, according to the knowledge center VeiligheidNL.

Fatbike manufacturers support applying the helmet requirement to all e-bikes, not just fatbikes. “A helmet requirement for only fatbikes wouldn’t work,” said Niels Willems of the Fatbike Safety Covenant and co-founder of Brekr. “Any bike can cause problems,” Willems noted that most of their bikes are sold to adults, so the measure will not significantly affect sales.

Caretaker Minister Robert Tieman is considering extending the helmet requirement to other light electric vehicles, such as e-scooters, to prevent minors from switching to those vehicles.