Police investigating reports of fat bike riders assaulting people in Meppel

Several people have reported that they are being hit by young people on fat bikes in Meppel. Police in Zuidwest-Drenthe received several reports about this over the last few days. The incidents occurred between Meppel in Drenthe, and Staphorst in Overijssel.

Police have said that five people are involved in the assaults. They catch up to people from behind and then hit the person in the lower body while passing them.

It is believed by police that there are more incidents than the ones they have already received a report on. They are calling on all witnesses of these incidents to come forward with any information they may have.

Fat bikes have long been a topic of discussion in the Netherlands. New laws were implemented a year ago. A 14-year-old age limit and an obligation to wear a helmet became a legal necessity for people using fat bikes, however, authorities have struggled to enforce the laws thus far.

This came after there was a significant increase in accidents with fat bikes that resulted in serious injuries. A total of 96 people were taken to hospital in a single week at the end of September and the beginning of October of last year as a result of accidents involving fat bikes.