Fatbike frustration grows: 57% want total ban, Massive support for age limit, helmets
Netherlands residents are fed up with fatbikes. The vast majority support implementing age limits and mandatory helmets on these electric bikes. Over half even want to ban fatbikes completely, RTL Nieuws discovered when surveying over 21,000 members of its news panel.
The broadcaster found that the nuisance experienced due to fatbikes increased significantly. In 2024, 45 percent of respondents said that they regularly to frequently experienced nuisance from fatbikes. That figure has now risen to 64 percent.
That annoyance translates directly into demands for stricter measures against these vehicles. 96 percent want more checks on illegal and tuned-up fatbikes. 92 percent also want harsher punishments for those selling them.
57 percent want to completely ban fatbikes, up from 39 percent last year. 93 percent want to ban fatbikes for kids under 14, and 88 percent for kids under 16. Another 88 percent support mandatory helmets.
The Ministry of Infrastructure is working on mandatory helmets for all electric bicycles and step-scooters for children under 18. It hopes to implement this in July 2027. The Ministry is also investigating an age limit for all electric bicycles. According to the Dutch government, it is too complicated to target fatbikes alone.
Several municipalities have decided to stop waiting for the national government to take action and are implementing measures themselves. Amsterdam, Enschede, and Zoetermeer plan to ban fatbikes in parts of the city. Utrecht wants to ban the vehicle from the entire city.
