Nearly half of microcar drivers in Amsterdam don't know the traffic rules

Almost half, 45 percent, of microcar riders in Amsterdam find the traffic rules for their vehicles unclear. They do not know where they belong on the road and often can’t recognize the traffic signs that apply to them, Parool reports based on research by the Amsterdam Transport Region and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

Nearly a fifth, 18 percent, of drivers of microcars like the Birò and Rocks-e regularly use the bicycle path, which is not legally permitted. Users do this mainly because they feel unsafe among car traffic (39%) or because the road is too busy (27%).

Microcar drivers also blame navigation equipment. Over half of the respondents use navigation, but none of the common apps have an option for microcars, regularly leading to incorrect route advice. “Although users indicate that they correct these mistakes themselves, this is not always reassuring given the observed knowledge gaps,” the researchers said.

“Both current and new users receive insufficient information during driver training and at the time of purchase,” the researchers said, advocating for more awareness.

According to the researchers, part of the problem may also be the Dutch word for a microcar, “brommobiel.” That is very similar to the name for a moped, “bromfiets,” but microcars fall largely under the same traffic rules as cars, not scooters and bikes. They suggest “a more car-oriented designation, such as microauto.”