All moped users will have to wear a helmet from January next year, including those with blue number plates and which have a maximum speed of 25 kph, the infrastructure and transport ministry has confirmed.

Every year, dozens of people are killed on low-powered mopeds known as snorfietsen, which are allowed on cycle paths – apart from in Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Motoring organisation RAI says it is pleased there is now clarity. The measure should have been introduced in July but was delayed, and that means there is now enough time to make sure every owner has a helmet, the organisation said. There are some 800,000 low powered mopeds in the Netherlands.

Moped users who do not comply will face a fine of €100.

Helmets are currently only required for larger scooters with yellow plates, which have to use the roads. Amsterdam made helmets compulsory for all moped users in 2019 when it banned the vehicles from most of the city’s bike paths.

The low powered mopeds will still be able to use bike paths elsewhere when the helmet requirement is introduced.