The number of people killed in traffic accidents in the Netherlands rose again last year. In 2025, a total of 759 people died on Dutch roads. This is 84 more than the year before, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
A rise in male fatalities mainly drives the increase, while the number of women killed in traffic has decreased. Cyclists remain the largest group of victims, followed by occupants of passenger cars. The percentage rose sharply, from 35 to 281. In four out of ten cases, an e‑bike was involved. A small number of fatbike users were among the fatalities.
There were also deaths among people in passenger cars, pedestrians, mobility scooter users, motorcyclists, and riders of mopeds or light mopeds. In a limited number of cases, the circumstances could not be clearly established.
New investments
The Cyclists’ Union is urging the cabinet to intervene. “We know what works. Lower speeds and safe infrastructure save lives”, the organisation emphasises. Yet it warns that structural investments in road safety are set to disappear from 2027 onwards in government budgets. Without new funding, municipalities and provinces will struggle to maintain or improve safe cycling routes and intersections.
Because most fatal crashes occur on roads with a 50 km/h speed limit, the union advocates lowering the legal limit in built‑up areas to 30 km/h. Beyond safety, the organisation points to additional benefits such as reduced CO₂ and particulate emissions, cleaner air, less noise, and safer conditions for walking and cycling.
Men and older cyclists most at risk
The rise in cyclist fatalities occurred mainly among men aged 70 and older. In this group, 118 cyclists died, 40 more than the previous year. Despite the increase, the long‑term risk for this age group has not grown over the past 25 years.
Another striking development is the eightfold rise in deaths among occupants of delivery and freight vehicles.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
