“For the first time in my life I am truly proud of myself”

Interview with Michael Kulkens from the TButterfly Foundation (nominee Issue Award 2019)

As of today, it is illegal to hold a phone or other mobile electronic device while cycling. Something that Michael Kulkens, father of deceased Tommy-Boy and founder of the foundation TButterfly, has been committed to for many years. Tommy-Boy died on August 22, 2015 as a result of a tragic accident, in which the 13-year-old boy briefly looked at his phone while cycling. He then crossed without looking; the driver was no longer able to swerve.

Michael Kulkens has made it his mission to prevent people from participating in traffic distracted by their mobile device. That's why he was nominated for ours last year Issue Award: a prize that De Issuemakers awards every year to a person or organization that has managed to get a subject on the social and political agenda in a striking, unconventional way. Last week, Issuemaker Lotte contacted Michael to ask a number of questions about the ban on hand-held mobile devices on bicycles, which comes into effect today.

What do you think of the bill that will ban holding and operating mobile devices on bicycles as of July 1? 
'No more than right. Everyone knows that deep down, and that's the most important thing. Even though you've probably been on your phone in traffic, you know you shouldn't do it. How many people must have thought 'phew, that was no big deal'? Those kinds of people had an angel on their shoulder that unfortunately my son did not have.'

'I am not in favor of very heavy punishments, but the punishment afterwards ensures that people become aware of what they are actually doing and that prevents it from happening again. Now, of course, I speak from my own perspective when I say that I am not in favor of very severe punishments. My son was the one who looked at his phone, while the woman who didn't felt like a murderer. Imagine if it had been the other way around. I don't know how I would have reacted."

Do you think it is easy to check? 
'Yes, certainly, it is very easy to check! You can easily see cyclists holding their phones. Easier than in the car, because then you are sheltered and you might as well have a croquette sandwich in your hand. Moreover, I often see police officers walking down the street, so they can immediately speak to cyclists about it. Cyclists are also much easier to stop than drivers. I hope that the police, but also enforcement officers, will warn as many people as possible. This is how you create the most awareness.'

What do you think of a telephone stand for bicycles? Something that many people will probably start using soon. 
'As long as you don't touch your phone it's a completely different story. According to research, looking at something is not a problem either. So in that respect, give me everyone a telephone standard and I will have achieved a lot.'
'It is important that people with such a standard deal with it consciously. As soon as you start using your phone extensively, it becomes a problem again and you are also in violation. I will therefore continue to work with partners such as Veilig Verkeer Nederland to create awareness among people.'

Are you proud of the result of your campaign? 
'I'm very proud! And for the first time in my life I am genuinely proud of myself. It feels very personal, because when I die, I will still have meant something. As father of Tommy-Boy, I have worked hard for this goal for five years and with success. Ultimately, I even convinced the minister to ban the operation of all devices in or on a vehicle. And that makes us one of the first countries to do that.'
'It was really fantastic to hear from the then minister that a law would be introduced, but without the current minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen it would certainly never have happened. I am therefore not only proud of myself, but also of her.'

What will the TButterfly foundation focus on after July 1? 
'We will mainly focus on creating awareness among people. For example, I continue to provide information at schools, but also at companies. Companies then invite their staff to listen to me and those people can then provide information at their children's schools.'

'Teachers can download teaching packages from our site and show videos. For the time being, I will continue to educate children, because children are the most important. If you can convince children to stay off their phones in traffic, you immediately get the parents involved. I call on children to correct their parents. Children are persistent, if they start correcting you, they will continue to do so until you really don't do it anymore. I call this effect the 'TButterfly effect.'

'At the moment I have reached approximately 43,000 children and I want to reach 100,000 in a year and a half. After that, initiatives such as appjelater.nl can take over.'

Photo: Hollandse Hoogte, Robin Utrecht