Dutch Mobility Association working on creating e-bike safety certificates

The Rai Association, which is the Dutch community and industry association for mobility, is working with the industrial sector on a certification for e-bikes. This is not only meant to guarantee the safety and reliability of electric bicycles but is also a way to combat the problem of souped-up fatbikes. “This certificate gives consumers certainty about the safety of their e-bike and will aid enforcement agencies with controls of the illegal models,” said the RAI Association.

The association thinks that the safe and responsible use of e-bikes is of crucial importance. “The certificate makes it easier for consumers to make a safe choice,” said Frits van Bruggen, chairman of the RAI Association. “It is important that people are aware of the risks that come with illegal, souped-up models and can trust certified e-bikes.”

Fat bikes, in particular, have been in the news a lot lately. VeiligheidNL reported last month that 96 people who were in control or passengers of a fat bike were sent to the first aid after an accident in the first week of October. Almost half of these victims were between 12 and 15 years old. A parliament majority has since agreed to a motion for a minimum age of 14 years old and a helmet requirement for fat bike users.

RAI Association fears that these measures will discourage bicycle use in the Netherlands. “With this certificate, we are offering a targeted solution for the problems concerning illegal fat bikes and other souped-up models,” said Van Bruggen. “This increases traffic safety without imposing generic restrictions on responsible use of e-bikes."