Just over half the 5,000 traffic accident victims in Amsterdam are cyclists, with youngsters aged 18 to 24 the most at risk, according to research by the regional ambulance organisation and public safety institute VeiligheidNL.

Some 16% of victims are motorists and 15% were on a moped, the figures, which date from 2022, show.

City traffic chief Melanie van der Horst who has recently introduced a 30 kph speed limit on most of the capital’s roads, said the situation is so serious that some people no longer dare to use their bike. “And that means we need to do more to make sure traffic is calmer and safer,” she told the Parool.

The figures also show that most accidents involving cyclists take place in the town centre, while car accidents dominate in Nieuw-West.