Major Dutch cities seek restrictions on e-scooters and electric vehicles

Five of the Netherlands’ largest municipalities are pushing for tighter restrictions on e-scooters, fatbikes, and other electric vehicles due to escalating safety concerns on city bike lanes. City officials argue that existing infrastructure is not equipped to handle the rapid growth and speed of these newer vehicles alongside traditional cyclists. As incidents involving vulnerable traffic participants rise, officials say that urgent action is needed to protect everyone.

Deputy mayors from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven released a joint statement emphasizing that bike lanes must remain safe for all users, not just the fastest and most technologically advanced cyclists. They highlighted the impact that high-speed electric vehicles are having on conventional cyclists, with many feeling unsafe or pressured by the new traffic dynamics.

The mayors sent a formal letter to the Dutch Parliamentary Traffic Committee ahead of a scheduled meeting on traffic safety, calling for a reassessment of where these electric vehicles should be allowed. Proposals include redirecting electric vehicles to car roads or even banning them from certain areas altogether. City leaders also underlined the risks faced by young children, such as eight-year-old students, who are increasingly forced to share narrow bike paths with heavy, fast-moving cargo bikes.