Enschede has become the first town in the Netherlands to ban fatbikes, despite fears that the rules could be unenforceable.
From March 11 anyone riding a fatbike – defined as an electric powered bicycle with a tyre width of more than 7cm – in the town centre risks a fine of €115. For the first two weeks offenders will receive a warning.
The ban will not be enforced by police officers but by community wardens (boa’s), because the prosecution service believes the local by-law will struggle to stand up in court.
Fatbikes are not classed as a separate type of vehicle under road traffic law, but are grouped together with other electric powered bicycles.
A spokesman for the council told NOS that the ban was legally sound because it refers to a specific time and place – the town centre during shop opening hours.
“The public prosecution service (OM) thinks the ban is legally questionable, but we don’t,” the spokesman said. “It is a well supported measure for a social problem.
“Intimidating”
“Fatbikes are often ridden at high speed through the shopping precincts, sometimes in groups. The bikes are also used to perform stunts, which can be intimidating.”
The new coalition in The Hague wants to change the law to make fatbikes a separate category, which would pave the way for restrictions such as a minimum age, and compulsory helmets for riders and fatbike-free zones.
Enschede said it had already been contacted by other municipalities looking to introduce their own ban. “We get calls from four or five councils a day,” alderman Marc Teutelink said. “They say: if you’re doing it, we will too.”
Fatbike salesman Armando Muis said riders would find ways to get around the rules, pointing out that he has already started selling “skinnybikes” – a version of the fatbike with thinner tyres.
He added that he was still selling fatbikes despite the impending ban. “Maybe people don’t care because police aren’t going to enforce it,” he said.
Muis said a general speed limit of 20 km/h for all electric bicycles would be a more sensible approach. “Riding a normal e-bike at 25 km/h is dangerous too,” he said. “I think there would be fewer accidents with a lower maximum speed.”
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