Dutch MPs have voted in favour of a motion calling for compulsory helmets and an age limit of 14 to ride fatbikes, the wide-tyred e-bikes that are very popular with youngsters and are often souped up to go faster than 25 kph.
A clear majority of MPs voted for the motion drawn up by the ruling VVD and NSC which called on the minister to take action. Infrastructure minister Barry Madlener, from the far right PVV, has warned against the move, saying it will be difficult to implement for fatbikes only.
Fatbikes currently fall under the same rules as regular e-bikes, with no age limit and no helmet requirement.
On Monday road safety organisation VeiligheidNL said between April and June, 115 people were treated in hospital after an accident involving a fatbike, and almost half of them were in the 12 to 15 age group. Some 15% of the victims had been hit by the e-bike during the accident.
In the first three months of this year, just 25 people were taken to hospital after an accident on their fatbike, and in 2023 as a whole just 75.
Madlener said again on Tuesday that it will be difficult legally to differentiate between fatbikes and other e-bikes and that new rules may have to apply to all categories. MPs are not in favour of an age limit or helmet requirement for ordinary e-bikes, which are popular with children in rural areas as a way of getting to school.
The minister said he would now look at the motion in detail and will strive to come up with a legislative proposal before the end of the year.
MPs have opted for 14 because that is the age that people can be required to show ID.
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