Amsterdam is set to ban fatbikes from the Vondelpark, following a sharp rise in accidents involving the souped-up electric bikes. The city's head of transport, Melanie van der Horst, announced the move, citing “unorthodox measures” needed to tackle the problem. The ban comes after a stream of requests from residents, with the city of Enschede also drawing up a similar city centre prohibition.
Safety organisation VeiligheidNL estimates that 5,000 fatbike riders are treated in A&E departments each year, based on a recent hospital sample. The spokesperson Tom de Beus noted that children aged 12 to 15 account for the most accidents. The rise in injuries has prompted concern from road safety experts, doctors, and politicians.
Reactions in the park were mixed. While many riders declined to comment, 31-year-old Joost called the ban “senseless,” arguing that speed management is key. However, Muriel Winkel, 33, running with her dog, welcomed the move, saying fatbikes are often “souped-up” and ridden carelessly. The Fietsersbond Amsterdam cycling association warned that the rise of illegal bikes is deterring older people and children from cycling.
The brain injury specialist Marcel Aries backed the ban as a “public health response” to congested streets and speed disparities. Professor Marlies Schijven of Amsterdam University Medical Center described it as “a baby step,” noting that hospitals still see daily cases. Fatbike owner Henk Hendrik Wolthers acknowledged the problem with children riding these powerful vehicles, referring to a chilling hospital term “potential donors.”
In the Netherlands, 48% of bicycles sold in 2024 were electric, with 13% being fatbikes. The ANWB roadside assistance organisation blamed the ease of speeding up fatbikes combined with risky behaviour. Experts suggest other countries may soon face similar tensions as political interest in active mobility grows.
