On flat terrain, 40 kmh are no problem for a road bike. Downhill, one reaches 60 without much difficulty.
Beyond the possibility of crashing, the fact that car drivers underestimate cyclists’ speed is actually quite a danger.
I’ve never reached 60 downhill. 40, yes, but not 60. I think in general though, 25/30 km/hr would be more reasonable as a recommended limit for bicyclists.
If downhill, there should be enough possibility to slow down, and by the next intersection, the speed should be slowed.
Thing is, in the NL, most car drivers also are bicyclists. There’s also liability: in case of a crash with a bicyclist or pedestrian, the car driver is assumed 100% at fault and has to pay all damages, unless if it’s proven the bicyclist/pedestrian was at fault, in which it’s shared 50/50. This helps to deter car drivers from y’know, hit and runovers.
Imho additionally, cars should be designed with curved fronts, and not too tall or heavy (I’m looking at you, Dodge Compensation Rams). Those should be prohibited from driving altogether in the Netherlands. They’re fucking dangerous.
On flat terrain, 40 kmh are no problem for a road bike. Downhill, one reaches 60 without much difficulty.
Beyond the possibility of crashing, the fact that car drivers underestimate cyclists’ speed is actually quite a danger.
I’ve never reached 60 downhill. 40, yes, but not 60. I think in general though, 25/30 km/hr would be more reasonable as a recommended limit for bicyclists.
If downhill, there should be enough possibility to slow down, and by the next intersection, the speed should be slowed.
Thing is, in the NL, most car drivers also are bicyclists. There’s also liability: in case of a crash with a bicyclist or pedestrian, the car driver is assumed 100% at fault and has to pay all damages, unless if it’s proven the bicyclist/pedestrian was at fault, in which it’s shared 50/50. This helps to deter car drivers from y’know, hit and runovers.
Imho additionally, cars should be designed with curved fronts, and not too tall or heavy (I’m looking at you, Dodge Compensation Rams). Those should be prohibited from driving altogether in the Netherlands. They’re fucking dangerous.