Many experts and residents in the Netherlands have called for action against fatbikes, whether it be a minimum age for fatbike drivers or compulsory helmet use. More coalition parties have expressed their support so that the majority of the parliament is urging Dutch minister of infrastructure and water management Barry Madlener to introduce an age limit.
Fatbikes, which are e-bikes with wider tyres, have become quite a nuisance in the Netherlands and are popular among teenagers and young people. The bikes are often driven recklessly and at high speeds, leading many people to compare fatbikes to mopeds or scooters, rather than bicycles.
Accidents involving youths on fatbikes have risen “worryingly” according to safety campaign group VeiligheidNL. From 2022 to 2023, the number of fatbike riders sent to hospital increased from seven to 59. In the first quarter of 2024, there were already 33 hospitalisations from accidents involving fatbikes. These numbers only represent the fatbike riders themselves and not other cyclists, pedestrians or drivers that are injured in clashes with fatbikes.
Due to these rising accident numbers, doctors urged e-bike riders, including those on fatbikes, to wear helmets. Another suggestion by the Dutch cycling union Fietsersbond included a minimum age of 12 years old for fatbike riders, while VeiligheidNL said the limit should be 16 years. In a survey by RTL Nieuws, 95 percent of respondents were also in favour of a ban on fatbikes for children under the age of 16.
The VVD and NSC parties have expressed their support for an age limit for some time already. Recently, the BBB and PVV parties have joined in to urge PVV-member Madlener to rethink his opposition to new regulations for fatbike users.
At the end of June, the VVD voiced that they are in favour of stricter measures such as a helmet requirement, a driving licence, or a minimum age. Now, Madlener’s own party is also pushing to introduce an age limit. "We will see which age limit best contributes to this," said PVV MP Hidde Heutink.
The infrastructure minister previously stated that he does not back the introduction of this new legislation, as it would mean younger children would not be able to use e-bikes and it would then make getting to school more difficult.
A debate on the safety of Dutch roads is taking place in under two weeks, where MPs can submit their proposals for new legislation for fatbikes. Until then, it is unclear whether the age limit will be brought in.
Thumb image credit: Dutchmen Photography / Shutterstock.com