We’ve already reported on the moped ban which is due to take effect very soon (8th April) and it’s caused a lot of anger for moped users. So much so that a protest was held yesterday with over 60 riders riding around Amsterdam to show their anger.
At 6 pm yesterday, riders began the protest on the Haarlemmerweg, located in the west of Amsterdam by riding on the road. This is what will have to happen once the ban takes effect, which is why they chose to do the protest like this.
The planned protest ended up attracting more people than expected and this was evident when there was lots of noise from people honking their scooter horns in Amsterdam. Many riders were seen not to be wearing helmets when riding on the roads. Some went off the planned path of the protest, spreading out to other areas and even riding on the highway, some blocked roads and went through red lights. The organiser didn’t expect this to happen and it wasn’t part of the original protest, but many riders found ways of protesting on their own.
Of course, this isn’t safe and probably caused more anger than it was worth for other people on the road.
Petition hits almost 30,000
Alongside protests, a petition has been circulating in order to stop the new law. Almost 30,000 people have signed this petition already.
The moped ban is due to take effect on the 8th of April. Mopeds/Scooters will be banned from the cycle paths within the Amsterdam ring road. They will then need to go on the road and wear a helmet.
Any thoughts on the new ban? Let us know in the comments!
Frankly, tough. No doubt they worry about being impacted by a faster, heavier vehicle and getting hurt — which is exactly the scenario pedestrians are faced with every day with scooters flying by in the bike lane. It’s bad enough we have the bike riders who, through a vague law, act like Ben Hur in the boat scene (“Ahead! Ramming Speed!!”) and don’t consider stopping for actual people a priority. Tough luck to the scooter riders who – as motor vehicle operators – deserve to be in lanes operated by motor vehicles…welcome to the food chain, and surprise — you’re no longer on top.
About time! Hardly a day passes where I am either clipped or run off the cycle path by speeding horn honking babies on mopeds. I live in Slotermeer and the majority of moped riders have no respect for other people using the paths, or the law- count how many run red lights or make illegal manouvers. Everywhere else in the civilised world mopeds ride on the road with other poluting noisy vehicles and it is not a problem. What’s that song again- oh yeah Moped Lads – we’re the moped lads- If you hit us we’ll tell our dads! I am dreaming of April 8.
Why are mopeds allowed on a “BIKE” path in the first place…I hope the ban is extended to Leiden and beyond. Most moped.scooter riders exceed the speed limits, are loud, cause anxiety and the bottom line is ride a real motorcycle on the road OR a bicycle on the path.