Why Dutch cyclists are safer

In Holland, most commuters don't even wear helmets, yet they're so much safer than cyclists in America. Why is that?

[FirstnameLastname-bpcm]

Probably the biggest reason I’ve come to really dislike heavily tinted windows

[martinschwartz]

I would like to see America learn from Holland and become a more bike-friendly country. Many people would benefit from the efforts.

[JustClaude]

It would be nice here in America if they didn't come up behind the bike approaching a corner and race ahead so they can turn in front of the bike.

[jannetteberends]

It’s also because to get a driving license, you must have learned to automatically look for bikes. Because you fail when you forget it once. And the test is long enough that it is impossible to think about it all the time during the test.

[londonsparrow]

Eye contact is the key.
Absolutely correct.

[brn]

Can't make eye contact from a 7 foot tall child killing Blindspot riddled monster truck

[derekjolly]

In a lot of ways, we had it better and righter in the 1970s for cycling. A much higher proportion of people rode bikes, just about every school kid grew up on bike riding at least for many of their school years, no one wore helmets, including more athletic, faster riders, drivers were better with it along the lines this guy is getting at, and no one was out trying to posture as a uniformed glam gear road racer. In spite of a lack of specific street design for bicycling, over all it was a better environment for it, at least where I lived. I'm sure that others at my same age (59) or older can have some agreement with that.

[goozerboozer]

I would like to add that most 80 and 50km p/h streets (bigger streets) have seperated bike lanes, so the cyclists aren't even bothered by the cars. In the 30km p/h streets cyclists are king over cars.

[buddy]

I tripped walking several times in my life, never fell of my bike. It would make more sense wearing a helmet when walking.

[jeffcollins]

Eye contact is such a big deal when on a bike. Don't make assumptions

[jooproos]

Not only in Holland, but also in the other provinces!!

[harryscull]

Bro the amount of driver who will make a turn and not even think to look in the clearly marked bike path is absurd. It happens to me about once per week. Not checking this blind spot in a UK driving exam is an automatic test fail. Its just dangerous and negligent driving, their is no excuse for acting this way but drivers here are so coddled and protected that they do not feel the need to think about anyone else

[RikAhlberg]

It’s actually because the laws put all the liability on drivers in a crash. That’s why they’re so careful. Plus the huge cycle track network separates motor vehicles from bicycles, so those routes are safer than mixed traffic.

[pieterschadron]

I'm dutch, we are simply not used to wear helmets, we all cycle as little children and just keep cycling as we grow older. We have great infrastructure for cycling (which makes it much safer compared to other countries) but we should wear helmets, it's stupid to take the risk! Then again, first I must buy a cycling helmet.

[PeterSdrolias]

The main factor that this works is because of the exceptional cycling infrastructure that separates bikes from cars. IMO

[bikeman]

You should still wear a helmet. When I was young and before helmets I got two concussions riding bicycles. Both didn’t involve an automobile. Since I started wearing a helmet 35 years ago, I had one bad accident that destroyed my helmet. I didn’t even know I hit my head until after the accident and I took my helmet off. Save your brain, wear a helmet.

[amitamit]

Same in India we don't need helmets on our motorbike

[RogierYou]

If you get hit by a car that eggshell on your head is not going to help much...

[henrikbundgaard]

But why are the Dutch society so stubborn about wearing helmets ?
It is not a big issue in Scandinavia.

[marcryan]

Dutch News NL paints a very different Picture.