Over 400 children in De Ronde Venen pass cycling exam, boosting road safety
Hundreds of primary school pupils in De Ronde Venen have successfully completed their annual Traffic Exam, equipping them with essential cycling skills for safer journeys to secondary school and beyond. The exam tests both theory and practical abilities, ensuring young cyclists can navigate traffic confidently.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of participants | 413 pupils from grades 7 and 8 |
| Location | De Ronde Venen, Utrecht province |
| Exam dates | March 30 and 31, 2026 |
| Assessment focus | Right of way, signaling, sidewalk use, traffic light obedience |
| Organizer | Municipality of De Ronde Venen & Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN) |
| Trophy winner (2025) | Grade 8 of Paulusschool in Abcoude |
| Launch event | Raadhuisplein, Mijdrecht, led by Alderwoman Anja Vijselaar and officials |
| Diploma awarded by | Veilig Verkeer Nederland |
The municipality of De Ronde Venen, in collaboration with Veilig Verkeer Nederland, organizes the annual Traffic Exam to promote road safety among young cyclists. This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to reduce traffic accidents involving children by ensuring they are well-prepared for independent travel.
Read the full translated article below
Hundreds of children safer on the road after passing their Traffic Exam
The annual Traffic Exam in the municipality of De Ronde Venen has once again been successfully completed this year. For pupils in grades 7 and 8, this exam is an important milestone in their preparation for independent participation in traffic. Alderwoman Anja Vijselaar officially launched the event and presented the trophy at the end of the program to the school with the highest overall score.
The practical Traffic Exam, also known as the cycling exam, tests whether pupils know and apply traffic rules in realistic situations.
Traffic Exam 2026
On Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, approximately 413 pupils from De Ronde Venen took to their bikes to complete a several-kilometer route. Child mayors Lars Kompier and Yanaika Valentijn, together with Mayor Rosan Kocken and Alderwoman Vijselaar (mobility), gave the starting signal on Tuesday, March 31, at Raadhuisplein in Mijdrecht. The children then set off in their recognizable orange vests. During the ride, they were carefully assessed in various traffic situations. Attention was paid, for example, to correctly giving right of way, signaling in time, proper use of the sidewalk, and obeying traffic lights. A pupil riding through a red light or failing to signal when turning does not pass this exam.
Prior to the practical day, all children took the theoretical Traffic Exam, demonstrating their knowledge of traffic rules. Each pupil must also participate on a safely functioning bicycle that meets all requirements.
Practice Makes Perfect
Alderwoman Anja Vijselaar emphasizes the importance of this annual test: “The sooner young people learn how to participate safely in traffic, the better. For many pupils, this exam is quite nerve-wracking. I understand that well, as I remember taking it myself. It was fun, but also exciting, because we had to follow a police officer who also administered the exam. Looking back, that was really great. By presenting the trophy, we hope to make it a fun and motivating challenge. This should encourage children to practice, whether with parents, grandparents, or neighbors.”
The Traffic Exam Netherlands also stresses the value of the exam. When pupils later cycle to secondary school, they often travel outside their familiar surroundings. At that point, it is crucial that they can independently and safely assess traffic situations.
Diploma and Trophy
After all exams, the individual assessments were processed and sent to the schools. Pupils who met all requirements received the official Traffic Diploma from Veilig Verkeer Nederland. As in previous years, the trophy is part of the exam. The group with the highest overall score gets to keep the trophy for a year. Last year, this was grade 8 of the Paulusschool in Abcoude. The winners this year will be announced in early April. They can expect a surprise visit from Alderwoman Anja Vijselaar.
Image: Mayor Rosan Kocken, Alderwoman Anja Vijselaar, and child mayors Lars Kompier and Yanaika Valentijn give the starting signal.