A delegation of Scottish transport chiefs are to visit the Netherlands to find out how Dutch roundabouts make roads safer for cyclists.

Dutch roundabouts feature segregated cycle lanes around the outside, making them much more cycle-friendly, particularly important as two-thirds of bike collisions happen at junctions.

Last week Transport for London announced it was investing £2 million in a project to introduce Dutch roundabouts in the city.

Keith Brown, Scotland’s transport minister who is among those travelling to Amsterdam, told the Scotsman that rather than try to come up with their own innovations, they would borrow successful design from around the world.

“We have an ambitious vision to promote cycling but there is no need to re-invent the wheel and I am keen that we learn from the experiences of our neighbours”, he told Scotland on Sunday.

“I am very much looking forward to finding out about the different approaches taken in the Netherlands regarding cycling infrastructure and other softer measures.

“It will also be interesting to see how the Transport for London research into junction and roundabout layouts develops.

“I am supportive of any improvements that Scottish planning authorities and local roads authorities can implement to make our roads a safer place to cycle.”

Ian Aitken, chief executive of Cycling Scotland, the national bike promotion body, said: “The Dutch-style roundabouts that are now being implemented in London would be very welcome in Scotland because they make conditions safer for cyclists at junctions, which is where 68 per cent of all accidents involving cyclists occur,” he said.

“These roundabouts not only give cyclists priority at a junction, they are also more effective at encouraging motorists to slow down, as they only have a single lane for entry and exit.”