Do Dutch children cycle less? Traffic safety institute VVN expresses concern.

The Dutch Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN) announces a study into the decreasing number of Dutch children that travel to school by bike. VVN expresses concern that children with no or little experience in cycling affect traffic safety. At the same, it impedes their own development. 

VVN stresses that cycling is essential to gaining an understanding of traffic and that it is important to start at a young age. Cycling is also important for the personal development of children, as it allows independence and social contacts. The organisation suspects that chaotic and unsafe traffic situations around elementary schools could be one of the reasons that parents do not send their children to school by bike.

This month, almost 200,000 Dutch children in the age of 10-11 take part in a theoretical test, which is held in 90% of elementary schools. This exam tests the children’s knowledge of traffic rules and insight into traffic situations.

80% of the elementary schools takes part in a practical test, which involves riding on a track while being scored on performance in different traffic situations. VVN reports that in larger cities, increasing numbers of children skip this practical test due to a lack of experience or not having a bicycle.

Sources: VVN, NOS