The municipalities of Roosendaal, Eindhoven and Den Bosch are still very concerned about the road safety of Fatbikes. This is apparent from a survey by Omroep Brabant. The municipalities of Roosendaal and Eindhoven signed a national petition last year to draw attention to the insecurity of Fatbikes in traffic. The petition was offered to the House of Representatives, but that did not make change so far.
“Without having precise figures, there seems to be an increase in the number of Fatbikes in our municipality,” says the municipality of Roosendaal. “We are mainly concerned about the driving behavior and illegally performed Fatbikes who drive too fast.”
Roosendaal misses national information and education that can help to point out parents and children in advance of the choice of buying a fatbike or not. “For example, at what age it is justified to control them, and its safe use.”
Bustle on cycle paths
According to the municipality, there is no clear change in the Fatbike problem in Eindhoven lately, but the police often enforce illegal and increased Fatbikes. “We think we warn others with this,” says a spokesperson.
The rapidly changing range of bicycles, with different widths and speeds, is a point of care for the municipality. “The Fatbike has a negative image, mainly due to the traffic behavior of young users and the large number of Fatbikes performed.”
Furthermore, Eindhoven still hopes for national rules for maximum speeds and different types of electric bicycles. “We try to spread the crowds on cycle paths by installing several parallel cycling routes and broadening busy paths.”
In 2024 the police in Eindhoven seized dozens of Fatbikes. The police were shocked by the bad condition of the Fatbikes:
No minimum age
The municipality of Den Bosch was also committed to sharper regulations before. In 2023, Mayor Jack Mikkers and 44 other mayors wrote a letter to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, in which it was argued for a minimum age for all e-bikes.
This is not the case for the time being. The House of Representatives is for a minimum age, but it is difficult to make a legal distinction between Fatbikes and other e-bikes. A minimum age would then immediately apply to all e-bikes. According to the cabinet, that is not feasible.
Read also
To assure
However, there has been an adjustment to legislation since 1 July of this year. As a result, the police may immediately take action against the Fatbikes performed, even without first being established a speeding violation. “If there is sufficient enforcement, this can be an effective tool,” says a spokesperson for the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
Even in the provincial capital there are still concerns about the road safety of Fatbikes. “We are mainly concerned about inexperienced, young drivers. The higher speed of electric bicycles can lead to risks for this group.”
The municipality therefore keeps a close eye on a new initiative in Enschede. In July, that city was the first Dutch municipality to agree with a ban on Fatbikes in the city center. “This may also be used in other places.”
More and more accidents
Figures from SafetyNL from last year showed that the number of accidents in which young people are involved in Fatbikes is increasing. In 2022, for example, seven fatbike drivers ended up at the Emergency Department. In 2023 there were already 59 and in the first four months of 2024 there were 33 accidents.