Cycling accident rates in Switzerland double those of the Netherlands

A study published in the ‘Journal of Safety Research’ reveals that the accident rate for cyclists in Switzerland is twice as high as in the Netherlands when measured by kilometers traveled. Analyzing over 86,000 police-recorded accidents between 2019 and 2022, researchers from the University of Twente and ETH Zürich found that Switzerland averages 0.19 bicycle accidents per 100,000 kilometers, compared to 0.09 in the Netherlands.

The higher risk in Switzerland is attributed to infrastructure differences, particularly at public transport stops, tram tracks, and intersections. Lead author Georgios Kapousizis noted that in Swiss cities, cyclists often pass closely by waiting buses or pedestrians, whereas Dutch cycling paths are typically designed to bypass stops. This separation reduces conflicts between cyclists, motorists, and passengers.