Amsterdam is taking a bold stand against a growing menace on its streets: the rise of ‘fatbikes’ and the alarming increase in accidents they’ve brought. But here’s where it gets controversial—while some see these wide-tyred electric bikes as a speedy solution for urban travel, others view them as a dangerous threat, especially to children and the elderly. Could this be the end of the road for fatbikes in the city of cyclists?
On any given lunchtime, the picturesque lanes of Vondelpark are alive with the hum of electric bikes, their thick tires cutting through the greenery. Yet, this idyllic scene has a darker side. Following a sharp rise in accidents—particularly involving young riders—Dutch authorities are moving to ban fatbikes in certain areas of the Netherlands. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the bikes themselves, but the reckless behavior and modifications that turn them into speeding hazards.
‘It’s absurd!’ exclaimed Henk Hendrik Wolthers, 69, perched on his electric Mate bike. ‘I’ve driven cars, ridden motorbikes, and even owned a moped. Fatbikes are the fastest way to get around the city—why should they be banned?’ But not everyone shares his enthusiasm. Road safety experts, doctors, and politicians are increasingly concerned. While e-bikes are legally capped at just over 15mph, many fatbike riders tamper with the settings, reaching speeds of up to 25mph in crowded parks like Vondelpark.
The safety organization VeiligheidNL estimates that 5,000 fatbike riders end up in emergency rooms each year, with young people aged 12 to 15 being the most frequent victims. ‘These are the ones we see the most,’ said spokesperson Tom de Beus. Now, Amsterdam’s transport chief, Melanie van der Horst, is taking action. She’s announced ‘unorthodox measures,’ starting with a ban on fatbikes in city parks, beginning with Vondelpark. Her decision comes after a flood of requests from residents pleading for action.
Reactions in the park are mixed. While most fatbike riders zipped by too quickly to comment, 31-year-old Joost was skeptical. ‘Banning them is pointless,’ he said. ‘Regular bikes and city vehicles use the park too. It’s all about riding at the right speed.’ But Muriel Winkel, 33, jogging with her dog, Joop, was relieved. ‘These bikes are often souped-up, and riders can be careless,’ she said. ‘My dog gets scared every time one whizzes by.’
The issue isn’t confined to the Netherlands. As more countries push for active mobility, the tensions around electric bikes are likely to spread. In the Netherlands, a pioneer in cycling culture, 48% of bicycles sold in 2024 were electric, with fatbikes making up another 13%. In Amsterdam alone, a third of all journeys are made by bike.
The ANWB, a roadside assistance organization, points out that the problem isn’t the bikes themselves, but the ease with which they can be modified to reach moped-like speeds, coupled with risky behavior. Florrie de Pater, chair of the Fietsersbond Amsterdam cycling association, warns that illegal bikes and lax enforcement are driving older people and children off the roads. ‘People over 55 or 60 are leaving their bikes at home,’ she said. ‘Parents are too afraid to let their children cycle to school.’
Brain injury specialist Marcel Aries, from Maastricht University Medical Center, argues that controversial measures like bans and helmet requirements—mandated for children on electric bikes from 2027—are necessary. ‘Governments must consider unpopular decisions for public health,’ he said. ‘Our streets are more congested, and the speed gaps between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians are widening.’
Marlies Schijven, a professor of surgery at Amsterdam University Medical Center, agrees. Her LinkedIn post about dangerous riders in 2024 went viral, with 2.9 million views. ‘Banning fatbikes in one park is a start, but it’s just a small step,’ she said. ‘We still see the pain, misery, and death caused by these accidents every day in the hospital.’
Even Wolthers, the fatbike enthusiast, admits there’s a problem—particularly with children riding these powerful bikes. ‘They run red lights, don’t signal, and can’t judge traffic,’ he said. ‘Hospitals have a grim nickname for them: potential donors.’
But here’s the question: Is banning fatbikes the solution, or does the real issue lie in enforcement and rider education? Should cities prioritize speed and convenience, or safety and accessibility for all? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
