Alderman: mini-cars cannot drive out of the IJ tunnel fast enough during a fire

Amsterdam Alderman Elise Moeskops has officially denied a proposal to allow micro-cars, such as the Biro, to use the IJ tunnel. The decision follows inquiries from the political party Volt regarding potential access for these smaller vehicles. According to the Alderman, the primary concern is public safety, specifically regarding the risk of vehicle fires within the tunnel environment. Because micro-cars have a maximum speed of 45 kilometers per hour, which is significantly lower than the tunnel's 70 kilometers per hour limit, authorities fear they would create dangerous speed differentials.

Furthermore, the tunnel's specialized smoke ventilation system operates at a force of 50 kilometers per hour. Officials argue that if a fire were to occur, micro-cars would be unable to outrun or move efficiently against this airflow, posing a major risk to drivers. The city also rejected suggestions to modify the tunnel during upcoming maintenance work next year, citing a lack of budget and a commitment to keeping repairs sober and efficient without changing the infrastructure's core functions.