Since the first seizure in July, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has continued to seize illegal fatbikes. The count now stands at over 16,500 fatbikes.
The illegal fat bikes come from several Chinese manufacturers, reports the ILT. The inspection has stopped the import of the fatbikes into the port of Rotterdam. According to the inspection, these are unapproved electric mopeds with the appearance of a fatbike, which are (supposedly) offered for sale as electric bicycles.
That is the problem with illegal fatbikes: they can go much faster than the permitted maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour, because they have considerably more power than permitted. Even if that power is limited, the vehicle remains an illegal, unapproved electric moped. In practice, the limitation on such bikes is also easy to switch off.
In addition to the large seizure in the port, the ILT has seized another thousand of these illegal fatbikes at distribution centers of a Dutch supplier. This entire seizure is part of the same case that started in July with the seizure of 3500 fatbikes.
Forbidden but also really dangerous
The ILT warns again about the dangers of these types of fat bikes. Apart from the illegality of the high power, the frames and brakes of the illegal fat bikes have also not been tested for high speeds. That makes the fat bikes even more dangerous, especially because the difference with a legal, approved fat bike is difficult to see. According to the ILT, you cannot expect young people and their parents to see the difference between an electric bike and an illegal moped.
The ILT places that responsibility with the sector. Especially since the number of illegal fatbikes sold via official trade has grown in recent times, the inspection states. “The ILT believes it is of social importance that these illegal mopeds disappear from our streets as quickly as possible. And that starts by putting a stop to their sale via official trade channels,” according to the inspection.
House of Representatives and minister argue about solution
The figures are known after a difficult debate on Wednesday evening, between the House of Representatives and responsible Minister Barry Madlener of Infrastructure. A majority of the House wants the minister to set an age limit of 14 years and a helmet requirement for fatbikes. The minister sees little point in that: he fears an acute cat-and-mouse game around the definition of a fatbike.
Moreover, the measures would affect all riders of electric bicycles in practice. Madlener made that proposal to the House: an age limit and helmet requirement for all e-bikes can be arranged much faster than just for fat bikes. There is no need to create a legal definition of a fat bike and enforcement is much easier – otherwise the police will have to start checking with measuring sticks from now on.
However, the VVD, NSC and PVV rejected this proposal and are sticking to their plan. The vote will be held in two weeks, and it seems that the plan, despite the minister’s objections, will still be able to count on a majority. Madlener can see the storm coming: “I have major objections to creating a law that will no longer be effective after a month,” the minister said. He expects that every legal definition of a fat bike will be circumvented very quickly with thinner tires, different handlebars and saddles and other simple adjustments.
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Source: www.bright.nl
