Enschede issues six fines in latest week of fatbike crackdown
The city of Enschede has issued six fines for the use of fatbikes in the city center in the last week, Oost.nl reports. During the first two weeks following the implementation of the ban, offenders were first issued warnings by special enforcement officers (BOAs). Not long after the initial warnings, the first penalty was handed out to an individual who violated the ban.
As of March 11, 2026, fatbikes are prohibited in Enschede’s city center during shopping hours. These electric bikes with wide tires can no longer be ridden in the area, with the restriction formalized in the city’s General Local Ordinance (APV). Riding a fatbike in the city center during the restricted hours carries a fine of 115 euros.
Enschede officials have noted that the ban was prompted by a spike in "near-misses" involving elderly pedestrians and young children in the pedestrian zone. Unlike standard e-bikes, fatbikes are often wider and heavier, making collisions more dangerous.
In recent operations, police and enforcement officers in Enschede carried out several fatbike checks, handing out dozens of fines for offenses such as speeding, faulty brakes, and insufficient lighting.
Fatbike enforcement is handled mainly by BOAs rather than the police. Authorities say that the Road Traffic Act is hard to apply specifically to fatbikes, so municipal officers take the lead in checking compliance and issuing fines. Enschede became the first municipality in the Netherlands to implement a dedicated local fatbike ban via the APV.
To ensure consistency, Enschede’s APV sets out clear technical criteria. Offenders face a 115-euro fine if the fatbike has an auxiliary motor, tires wider than 7 centimeters, or features like an elongated saddle (buddy seat), which municipal officers consider when enforcing the rules.
Amsterdam announced this morning that they would be following Enschede's lead by banning fatbikes from the Vondelpark from May.
