Mopeds have been banned from Amsterdam’s cycle paths since April this year and there has been a sharp drop in accidents since then, according to city council figures.

On average there were 100 registered accidents involving mopeds in the six months between April and October, but this year there have been just 30, the city said.

The number of registered mopeds with speeds of up to 25 kph (snorfiets) had gone down from 37,000 in January to 26,000 by the end of October. However, there are more faster mopeds (bromfiets) in use in the Dutch capital. Their number has gone up by 16%.

The new regulation requires all blue-plate mopeds to use the main roadway in around 80% of the area inside the A10 ring road. Riders will also have to wear a helmet.

Other cities with high cycle congestion, such as Utrecht, The Hague and Groningen, are considering following the capital’s lead.

Wardens and the police have handed out 4,270 fines to moped users caught on cycle paths or without a helmet, the city report said.