Every year in April some 200,000 school children in the Netherlands take a “Verkeersexamen” (traffic test). The 12 year olds will start secondary school in the following school year. An overwhelming majority of these children will get to secondary school on their bicycles. Rides of up to 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) one way are no exception. In an effort to make traffic safer the children have been taught about traffic rules since they were very young. Now it is time for their final test.
In this video some images of the practical test in Utrecht: a 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long bike ride though normal traffic. The children are being monitored and those who pass the test receive a “Verkeersdiploma” (traffic certificate). This year some lucky children in ‘s-Hertogenbosch got the certificate from the hands of the Netherlands’ future queen, Princess Máxima, who opened this year’s test season. With her presence she underlined the importance the Dutch give to children’s traffic safety and education.
35 Comments
markenlei, thank you for posting this and the other bicycle videos in the Netherlands. These are awesome and Netherlands seems like a pretty cool place. 😀
@ltlblugrl Hell no!! 😛
That a really good looking princess.
I have seen in a few places that teens often cycle up to 15km to get to secondary school….Why so far? Does the Netherlands have larger secondary schools, but spaced further apart compared to other places?
Wow. Only 15 are killed each year? With that many bicyclists that is an astoundingly low number.
Does anyone know any bike riding training centre for adults in Rotterdam or near Rotterdam? I did not learn bike riding in my childhood.
@Gazza2 In my class we had some teens that lived on farms and small villages (with populations of <500). Some had to cycle up to 20 or 25km. In the winter it was a pain in the ass with temperatures of -10 degrees celcius. Fortunately some were lucky and the parents would buy them bus tickets.
back in the late 1960s in New Jersey public low grade school I went to had a small town as part of the play ground. A couple of days each week we got be motorist (push cars) bicycle (trikes and bikes) and pedestrians. Some times a police person would help up learn rules, but mostly school teachers. At 6 years old I knew more about how to act on the roads then 99.99% of people today.
Days we didn't have training, during play time guess where every kid wanted to play?
'And many will pass the test'
AKA:
'Everyone will pass the test'
If a fast food chain can be worldwide why not this one?
All Dutch, you guys so special. This video explains why there's no war between drivers and cyclists in the Netherlands.
yes, as part of the exam. It's incalculated. Geez….. sigh.
Nobody needs a license to ride a bike.
It's normal here. It depends on what school you're going to, or WANT to go. It's well possible there's a school nearby but that doesn't mean you want to go there. F.i. I went to a school about 10km from our house eventhough there were similar ones closer by. One was catholic, the other I just didn't want to go to. Btw, we don't think it's that far, we're used to it. Especially when you're living in 'the country' children form huge groups in the morning and ride to school together.
they should visit vietnam to see how our student
I would reccomend if you have a friend to help you do that. Also if you can take the pedals off a bike for starters that will train your balance (you can use your feet to push so you don't fall over – like training wheels.)
It's absolutely marvelous the way you have evolved to a cycling city and incorporated this to your everyday life.
The early education from the parents and the reinforcement at the of schools it's something worthy to replay and learn from you as a country to the world.
Thank you!
Ha, I rode back and forth by those "Verkeersexamen" signs for a month and had no clue what they meant!
@Tom Boros: Not only this video explains that! As a native Dutchman I am pleased to explain you cycling is a part of Dutch life and a mean of transportation. In the Netherlands people grow up with cycling, so it is common for us. And for that reason when people start their driving education they already are used to deal with cyclists as well. And therefore they accept and respect each other.
I remember doing this 🙂
my country Scotland could do with this from a early age in schools.
I failed theory and wasn't allowed to take part in the practic exam lol
i never took it ha
Sadly,because of smartphone use while cycling,that figure of 30 killed has gone up..
Amazing
Yup, the kids had a traffic test on their bikes last week here.
Finally an example of something in public education with real practical value.
I wasn’t allowed to group up like they did 🙁
It's also great for school camp in 8th (?) grade, the last year of elementary school. Most classes will ride to the camp location on bicycles. At least mine did. And they do a test of the bike, if your lights and brakes are working and such. Then you got a sticker on the bike to indicate it was approved. Otherwise you either had to loan from someone or get things fixed.
Me: takes public transport
these childern are weak, real dutch pwople drive bikes with no hands
kindergarteners playing traffic awww
Its also thaught in germany kinda in the same way but without the part where the kids can learn in a seperate traffic environment only for them.
Me watching this in Florida: "You know, I'm kind of a noose myself".
I passed the exam cum laude 50 years ago 😊
Only 15 per year? In the States, the number of pedestrian deaths is 20!
per day.