The sale of electric bikes in the Netherlands rose 16% last year, almost four times as fast as the sale of ordinary bikes, according to figures from sector bodies Bovag and RAI Vereniging.

This means one in five bikes sold in the Netherlands is an electric bike, with a small motor. E-bikes are particularly popular with pensioners.

In total, more than one million bikes were sold in the Netherlands last year. Turnover in the sector was up 11% at €886m.

Government cycling experts are recommending the introduction of a 25 kph speed limit on Dutch bike lanes to curb the impact of electric ‘super’ bikes.

Electric bikes with speeds of up to 40 kph are now on sale in the Netherlands and there are concerns about their impact on cyclist safety.