
Costs, careers and choice: Why Indians are having fewer children
Why are young Indians choosing to have fewer children? Career goals take precedence.

The Netherlands is trialing a 12mph speed limit for cyclists in Houten to improve road safety amid rising cycling accidents. The two-week trial aims to assess cyclists' willingness to comply with the new limit.
Mentioned in this story
As road deaths increase and cycle lanes overflow with e-bikes, the Netherlands is considering a cycling speed limit of 12mph (20km/h).
The government has started a two-week trial in Houten, near Utrecht, to gauge whether freedom-loving Dutch cyclists are willing to slow down – and whether they have any idea how fast they are going in the first place.
Last year, an estimated 80,900 cyclists ended up in A&E departments after accidents, and cyclist deaths rose 14% to 281.
“Traffic safety is ever more important because more and more different types of road users are on the bike paths,” said Houten’s transport chief, Wouter van den Berg. “Speed pedelecs, fat bikes, racers, golf carts with children in them – you name it. So when the government suggested this pilot, Houten stuck up its hand.”
Cameras were installed last week to measure the normal situation on Fossa Iberica, a 130-metre road that includes a low-visibility crossroads where 3,000 people a day travel in one direction and 1,000 travel in the other. Speed limit signs were installed on Monday and next week a research team will measure the results.
The Netherlands may have excellent cycling infrastructure, with bikes used for 27% of all journeys, but Van den Berg said it was difficult to retrofit the urban environment. “It all starts with how you organise public space, the roads and the streets – especially in new developments – so that the slowest traffic gets priority,” he added. “But here, you can’t widen the cycle lane, otherwise you’d be in people’s living rooms.”
JanPeter Westein, 80, of the cycling association Fietsersbond Houten, said the group was glad the council was taking its concerns seriously. “I avoid the busy times because I’m an older chap. But pretty much all of the primary schools in Houten are on the bike paths … and you don’t want parents to say they will take their children by car because it’s not safe.”
Some cyclists were unenthusiastic, even before anyone proposed handing out fines. One man told the current affairs programme EenVandaag that he probably cycled at about 14mph. “But how am I supposed to know?” he said. “I just have a normal bike.”
The trial aims to improve road safety for cyclists as accidents and deaths have increased, particularly with the rise of e-bikes.
The trial is taking place in Houten, near Utrecht.
Last year, an estimated 80,900 cyclists ended up in A&E departments due to accidents.
Safety concerns arise from various road users, including speed pedelecs, fat bikes, racers, and even golf carts with children.

Why are young Indians choosing to have fewer children? Career goals take precedence.

Wes Streeting calls for platforms like X to pay for riot costs after violence in Belfast.

A massive illegal dump in Bickershaw highlights the north-south divide as the Makerfield byelection approaches.

UK Employment Minister defends new workers' rights reforms against business cost concerns.

Why is the US economy outperforming despite global challenges?

As Trump turns 80, he faces aging challenges and declining health.
See every story in News — including breaking news and analysis.
A woman told the programme: “This is all about cyclists on motorised bicycles, so I should think you would do something about motorised cyclists. Make a rule for them and not for all cyclists.”
The speed limit trial is just one of a number of measures to address increasing road accidents. Amsterdam and Enschede are banning wide-tyre fat bikes from some central locations or parks and – to the anger of many cycling advocates – the government plans to introduce helmets for under-18s on electric vehicles.
Marcel Aries, of the Doctors for Safe Cycling group, said behaviour and the environment needed to change. “Safer cycling requires a package of measures, including a minimum age of 16 for e-bike riders, e-bike registration and licensing, better infrastructure and greater use of cycle helmets,” he said.
But, added Anke Huss, an associate professor at Utrecht University, any cycling was better than none – even accounting for air pollution and accident risk. “The public health case should focus on that: keep people cycling, and keep cycling safe for everyone.”