Since December 8, the speed limit on most main roads in Amsterdam has been lowered from 50 to 30 km/h. The municipality introduced this for reasons of road safety. With an expected a decrease in the number of accidents of 20 to 30 percent. Before, there were on average three serious accidents per day in the city. And cyclists in particular feel increasingly unsafe in the city.
A lower speed has major advantages. Motorists have more time to respond adequately, the braking distance is halved, and the motorists’ field of vision is wider. They see more. Other cities such as Oslo and Brussels have already introduced 30 km/h as the new standard. With good effects on the road safety. Dutch road safety knowledge institute SWOV expects thatthe lower speed limit could lead to 20-30 percent fewer serious road casualties.
Noise pollution from moving cars also decreases at lower speeds. For cyclists, the change in speed is mainly a gain: more safety and more comfort.
Removing lines
On the streets the new speed limit is mainly visible on traffic signs with 30 on them. Streets will be redesigned in a later stadium, step by step. The municipality will not put in lots of speed bumps, as emergency services need to be able to drive at certain speed.
In the short-term road marking will be adjusted. Longitudinal lines will be removed and wider streets will get a central verge. All this to tempt motorists to drive slower. The introduction of 30 km/h is also accompanied by a major information campaign under the motto: ‘We do 30 for each other’.
30 kilometres per hour
30 km/h is the speed limit speed for everyone driving on the roadway. This means that not only motorists and moped riders must adhere to that speed, but also cyclists and riders of electric bicycles and fat bikes riding on the roadway.
Electric bicycles may have pedal assistance up to 25 km/h. If they can go faster than that on their own power, this is permitted. Up till the speed limit of 30 km/h.
Trial with fast cyclists to the roadway
A speed limit of 30 km/h as standard has another advantage. The trial with fast cyclists on the roadway, that councillor Melanie van der Horst announced, can be implemented.
With crowded cycle paths and more and more fast riders on e-bikes and fat bikes other cyclists feel unsafe. In the trial the cycle path will be converted from mandatory to non-mandatory, and possibly a speed limit of 20 km/h. Fast cyclists can be responsibly referred to the roadway as the speed limit of 30 km/h ensures small speed differences with cars. This way, the cycle paths can once again become a safe place for not-so-fast cyclists.
New category of roads
With 30 km/h as a new standard a new category of road is introduced in Amsterdam. Previously, 30 km/h roads were automatically local streets (so called ErfToegangsWeg, ETW). Neighbourhood streets where the residential function is paramount.
Now a new category has been added: the Distributor Road 30 (GebiedsOntsluitingsWeg 30, GOW30). These roads have both a residential and a traffic function. Here other priority rules apply than in ETW: Riders from the right have no priority so as to not impede the flow of traffic.
Also, as former 50 km/h roads, most GOW30 roads have separate cycle paths. Those cycle paths will remain. Only when a GOW30 road is ready for renewal will be looked into whether separate cycle paths remain in the new lay-out. The outcome will be different for each street, and depends on many different factors, of which road safety is the most important.
A limited number of distributor roads will remain a speed limit of 50 km/h (GOW50). These are mainly four-lane roads without car parking places and crossing movements. This has been decided in consultation with the emergency services and public transportat operators. After a year, the flow on these roads will be evaluated, and it will be reconsidered whether these GOW50 roads might be turned into GOW30 as well.
For now, the large part of distributor roads has become GOW30.
FAQs
Since December 8, the speed limit on most main roads in Amsterdam has been lowered from 50 to 30 km/h. The municipality introduced this for reasons of road safety. With an expected a decrease in the number of accidents of 20 to 30 percent.
How fast is the eBike in Amsterdam? ›
Although your motor's capped at 25km/h, your eBike won't be gated. So if you feel the need for speed (and your legs are strong like Marianne Vos) you can pedal as fast as you want.
Is the speed limit 120 or 130 in the Netherlands? ›
The general limit on motorways is 130 km/h. In addition, there are other time- and place-dependent limits of 80, 100 and 120 km/h. Since March 2020, the daytime (06:00-19:00 h) limit has been restricted to 100 km/h for all motorways. There are some other limits (70 km/h and 90 km/h), but these apply far less often.
Can you drink and ride a bike in Amsterdam? ›
No, you cannot ride a bike drunk. One of the first words in Dutch that you will learn will most likely be “borrel”. The second, most certainly, will be “proost!”.
Who has the right of way in Amsterdam, bikes or pedestrians? ›
Priority rules for cyclists
At an equivalent intersection (without signs, shark teeth marks, or traffic lights), you must give way to drivers coming from your right. Trams always have priority. If you turn left or right, you must give way to all straight-through road users (including pedestrians).
Can electric bikes go 30 mph? ›
Electric Bikes, or EAPCs (Electrically Assisted Pedal Bicycles) assist the rider in reaching 15.5 or 28mph, depending on the motor size. They are quicker to reach these speeds, but still require pedal power to get going. You can exceed these speeds, but your legs will need to do some work.
What is the bike speed limit in Amsterdam? ›
30 kilometres per hour
30 km/h is the speed limit speed for everyone driving on the roadway. This means that not only motorists and moped riders must adhere to that speed, but also cyclists and riders of electric bicycles and fat bikes riding on the roadway. Electric bicycles may have pedal assistance up to 25 km/h.
Does Amsterdam have speed limits? ›
Amsterdam's journey to a citywide 30 km/h speed limit started months ago, with 4,500 new signs popping up over the months leading to December 2023. These new signs sprouted across the city, sporting informative stickers announcing the official December 8th rollout, thus ensuring a clear and well-timed transition.
Which country in Europe has the highest speed limit? ›
The roads that have highest maximum imposed speed limit can currently be found in Poland, where drivers can legally cruise along at a respectable 88 mph (140 km/h), secure in the knowledge that if you increase this to 93 mph you will still not be prosecuted by the police, as they generally only enforce the speed limit ...
What country is speeding legal? ›
Germany is the only country where some motorways do not have a maximum speed limit. The 130 km/h is sign-posted as a general advisory speed limit for motorways in the entry of the country. Due to those Autobahns, Germany is considered a country without a general speed limit on its highways.
Park your bicycle in a bike parking section, rack or indoor parking facility. It's advised to secure your bicycle to a rack using an extra lock. Do not secure your bicycle to lampposts, traffic signs or bridges. Municipal bicycle parking facilities are free of charge the first 24 hours.
Can you bike at night in Amsterdam? ›
It's required by law to use front and back lights on your bicycle after dark. Give a sign: always signal before turning by putting your hand out. Watch out for tram rails: it's easy to get your tires stuck in the rails – cross them at a sharp angle.
Is jaywalking illegal in Amsterdam? ›
There is no concept of jaywalking in the Netherlands' traffic laws, so it is not an offence as such. Without zebra stripes, pedestrians must yield, but at a zebra, road traffic must slow down and yield as soon as pedestrians seem about to cross.
Are there a lot of bike accidents in Amsterdam? ›
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.
Do cyclists have priority in Amsterdam? ›
Trams: Trams take priority over cars, bikes and pedestrians. Bikes take priority over cars and pedestrians: It is critical to understand this. If you are on foot and a bike crashes into you on a bike lane, you are at fault.
What is the top speed of an e-bike in Europe? ›
laws on e-bikes stating they have to be pedal-assist, must not have throttles, have a maximum power of 250 watts and a top speed of 15.5mph (25km/h). Under assimilated EU Regulation 168/2013, vehicles with throttle assistance above 3.73mph (6km/h) require type approval, and are generally classified as motorcycles.
What is the best electric bike in Amsterdam? ›
- Azor Amsterdam E-Bike – Ladies. Premium Electric 'Oma fiets' ...
- Azor Ameland E-Bike – Ladies. Premium Quality & Comfort. ...
- Azor Ameland E-Bike – Gents. Premium Quality & Comfort. ...
- Azor Texel E-Bike – Ladies. ...
- The Tank E-Bike. ...
- Azor Flevoland E-Bike – Ladies. ...
- Azor Flevoland E-Bike – Gents. ...
- Azor Zandvoort E-Bike – Ladies.
So, how fast do electric bikes go? Most ebikes stop providing electric assist while pedaling up to 20 mph (Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes) and 28 mph (Class 3 ebikes).
Does Amsterdam allow Ebikes? ›
At present, regulations in the Netherlands limit pedal-assist e-bikes motors to 25kph, above which a rider must rely solely on the power in their legs, but this new connected technology would cut the motor at an even lower threshold, such as around schools, parks, and areas of dense traffic at busy times of the day.
