Last year, 7,400 people were seriously injured in traffic accidents, of whom 70% were on bicycles at the time and 14% were on a motorbike or moped, according to new research from the traffic safety institute SWOV. Just 10% of those who were seriously injured were in a car or van and 5% were pedestrians.

In addition, a further 18,000 people were treated for more moderate injuries such as broken bones or concussions. In total, 111,000 people were treated at hospital accident and emergency departments for a traffic-related injury, SWOV said.

Two-thirds of the seriously injured cyclists were over the age of 60, and 17% of them were riding an e-bike, SWOV said.  

The SWOV is calling for improvements to cycling infrastructure, more 30 kph roads and a campaign to boost the use of cycle helmets. Only 4% of Dutch cyclists and 8% of those using e-bikes wear a helmet, the SWOV said.

The figures do not include the 684 traffic-related deaths last year. The CBS statistics agency said in April that cyclists accounted for the biggest group of traffic deaths for the fourth year in a row and in 40% of cases they were using an e-bike. Some 40% of them were over the age of 75.