Reactions to the power of enforcement officers to issue fines to pedestrians and cyclists in the new year vary considerably. Currently, only police officers are allowed to ticket cyclists and pedestrians who do not obey traffic rules, but they are often too busy.
Various Amsterdam residents react to the news and their views vary considerably. A woman in North sees it as a blessing. “Good, it’s great that they do that,” she says. “All those cyclists with a phone in their hands drive me crazy.”
Another, a man on the Nieuwmarkt, is absolutely not happy about it. “I don’t think more people are allowed to issue fines,” he says. “Is that really necessary? Even more fines. All that punishment, I think it will only be counterproductive.”
Boas installed by officers
The boabond said in a response that the staff has been sufficiently trained and they think it is an excellent development and can be easily combined with their current work. From January, police officers will train them to recognize violations. This concerns, for example, cycling without lights or with a telephone in your hands. You can also get a picture of a boa for walking or cycling through a red light.
Pedestrians and cyclists in the city are asked whether they fear a fine, now that enforcers are also allowed to pull the ticket book. “I think they sometimes make a fuss about cycling over the stop or something, or cycling with a mobile phone in your hand,” says one man.
Someone else in North has to laugh. “I already have a phone in my hand in the car, so that will also happen on the bike,” he begins. “But I’m not going to cycle. I’ll stay in the car, haha. Lucky me!”