The code below represents a potential behavioral intervention designed to promote fairer usage of cycling infrastructure. The need for such an intervention stems from the increasing number of motorized vehicles (e.g., e-bikes, fat bikes) on the cycling roads and paths in the Netherlands. These vehicles create significant speed differentials, leading to more conflicts and fatalities (refer to Figure 2 in Westerhuis et al., 2024).
In the absence of formal education that equips bicycle users with an essential understanding of basic traffic rules, one strategy could be to implement an honor system. Through this system, users would pledge to adhere to a code of conduct. Stakeholders such as insurance companies and cycling unions—who benefit from safer streets, fewer accidents, and widespread public support for investment in cycling infrastructure—could enforce such codes to provide clear incentives (e.g., discounts at bicycle shops) aimed at achieving a higher level of safety in urban areas for both cyclists and pedestrians.
As a member of the honourable community of people who use bicycle as a mode of transportation, I pledge to:
- Not exceed a speed of 25 km/h or ride recklessly, ensuring the safety of fellow cyclists and pedestrians in the city.
- Remember that we are all pedestrians first, and pedestrians deserve top priority on our streets despite all the historical errors of negligent city planners that put pedestrians in a disadvantaged position.
- Recognize pedestrians as primary allies in our quest for better, more humane, healthy, livable environments.
- Always stop to help others in need of help
- Be kind to all street users, seeing them as individuals to interact with rather than obstacles to avoid or clear.
- Apologize when I unintentionally make mistakes, and forgive when others do the same.
- Value the materials and craftsmanship of my bicycle, maintain it diligently, and avoid harming others’ bikes.
- Obey the traffic rules and support the cycling community in correcting these heavily biased rules through legal means.
* Follow this link to comment on the text and to help improve it.