Delft police catch 11-year-old going 58 km/h on a fatbike
The police in Delft confiscated a fatbike that could reach speeds of 58 kilometers per hour from an 11-year-old boy. The bike caught officers' attention when the boy rode faster than a police car through a residential area without pedaling, the Delft police said on Facebook.
A fatbike is an electric bicycle with pedal assist allowed to go up to a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. If the fatbike can go without the rider having to pedal, it is considered a motor vehicle.
The police stopped the boy and tested his fatbike. They found that the fatbike had a throttle and a top speed of 58 kilometers per hour. Because the bike could go over twice the permitted speed, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) permitted the police to seize the fatbike without first issuing a warning and to declare it forfeited.
That means that the boy won’t get his bike back. Instead, the fatbike will be destroyed. The police informed the boy’s parents about this.
“We are increasingly encountering souped-up fatbikes that reach high speeds and are equipped with a throttle,” the Delft police said. “This creates life-threatening situations, especially when young children use them in traffic.”
The police appealed to parents: “Be aware of what your child is riding. Check whether their fatbike has not been modified and complies with legal requirements. A souped-up fatbike can not only lead to a hefty fine and confiscation, but above all to very serious traffic accidents.”
