In this section we explain what was going on the editors. These weeks NU.nl people take over the section from the editor -in -chief. With this time: Interior reporter Job van der Plicht who sees many similarities between Fatbikes and De Wolf.
“No, we don’t have a fatbike watcher on the editors. But now that you call me, I suspect I’m going to be that,” I told a spokesperson who announces that the minister wants to introduce a helmet obligation.
It is nice that she calls, because that way I can fix a message in peace that is complete. You get such a bell more often, but to be honest: only if there is good news to report. If something comes out that the ministry is less happy with, then no bell in advance and the letter sometimes goes to the Lower House late on Friday evening.
The helmet obligation message is the second article that I write about the Fatbike. Earlier I approached dozens of municipalities asking what they can do against fatbike nuisance. And as it goes in journalism: after two stories the subject is ‘yours’.
To be honest I was not eager to become FatbikeWatcher. Of course I sometimes see them driving, but I just didn’t have much with the subject. Yet I am starting to see more and more how interesting this subject is. This week I suddenly realized: the Fatbike is actually the wolf of the city. And I have been following the wolf file with great pleasure for years.
Reality catches up rectors
Because just check: just like the wolf, the fatbike is new. The whole country finds something of it and we don’t know what to do with it. We then come up with rules, but they are still being overtaken by reality while thinking.
How often I have not been in lawsuits about the wolf where the conclusion was: it cannot legally, do your homework but again. At the Fatbike you can see that now, although that is not in court.
The House of Representatives has been insisting on extra measures against the electric bicycle with thick tires for some time. But time and time again is the minister’s answer: there is no legally a distinction between Fatbikes and other electric bicycles. Research has even been done up to three times.
And then there is the danger that both the Fatbike and the Wolf ensure. I am surprised about that, because it is mainly about the feeling of insecurity. I often come to the Veluwe and when I hear the people there talk about their fears for the wolf, I really understand that. Especially if you have small children.
Where are we in 2040?
But it is good to keep in mind that reality shows something else. Yes, there are incidents with wolves. Yet everything together in recent years less than ten people have been injured. But if you google deadly incidents with Fatbikes, you will find a number of recent sad cases. Not to mention the number of fatbikers who have to go to the hospital after an accident.
In that sense of fear there is also something that I like the wolf file so much to follow. It is new for the Netherlands. We are used to determining everything ourselves and determine what can grow and live with fences and rules. But the wolf doesn’t care. In the wolf we find our equal and we have to find a way in it.
That road fascinates me enormously. I have asked myself so many times, but I don’t know: how do we live together with the wolf in ten or fifteen years? I am very curious about the answer. And yes, even to whether there will be fatbikes in 2040 or where young people tear around.
In this section, we share what was happening in the newsroom. This week, nu.nl editors are Taking over the column from the editor-in-chief. This time: National Reporter Job van der Plicht, who sees many similarities between fat bikes and the wolf.
“No, we don’t have a fat bike watcher in the newsroom. But now that you’re calling me, I suspect I’m going to Become one,” I say to a spokesperson who is already announcing that the minister wags to introduction a helmet law.
It’s nice that she calls, because that way I can prepare a message in peace that is complete. You get such a call more, but to be honest: only when there is good news to report. If something come out that the ministry is less happy with, then no call in advance and the letter Sometimes Goes to the House of Representatives Late Friday Evening.
The Helmet Law Message is the Second article I Write About the Fat Bike. Earlier, I approached boxes of muticipalities with the question of what they can do about fat bike nuisance. And as it goes in Journalism: After Two Stories, The subject is ‘Yours’.
To be honest, I was eager to Become a fat bike watcher. Of course, I see them Driving Sometimes, But I Just Didn’t Have Much To Do With The Subject. Yet I am Increasingly Beginning to See How Interesting This Subject is. This week I Suddenly Realized: The Fat Bike is Actually the Wolf of the City. And I have leg following the wolf file for years with great pleasure.
Reality Overtakes Devised Rules
Because think about it: just like the wolf, the fat bike is new. The Whole Country Has An Opinion about it and We Don’t Really Know What To Do With It. We then come up with rules, but they are already overtaken by reality while they are being devised.
How ofe have I leg to court cases about the wolf where the conclusion was: it is not legal possible, do your homework again. You see that now with the fat bike Too, Although That is not in the Courtroom.
The House of Representatives Has Been Hammering on Extra Measures Against the Electric Bicycle with Wide Tires for Some Time. But time and again the minister’s answer is: there is no legal distinction to be made between fat bikes and other electric bicycles. It has just leg investigated three times.
And then there is the danger that both bike and the wolf cause. I am sometimes surprised about that, because it is mainly about the feeling of insecurity. I come to the veluwe of enough and when I hear people there talk about their frears about the wolf, I really understand that. Especially if you have small children.
Where will we be in 2040?
But it is good to keep in mind that reality shows something different. Yes, there are incidents with wolves. Yet All Together, No More Than Ten People Have Been Injured in Recent Years. But if you google deadly incidents with fat bikes, you will find a number of recent sad cases. Not to mention the number of fat bikers who have to go to the hospital after an accident.
In that feeling of fear there is also something that I like following the wolf file so much. It is new for the Netherlands. We are used to determining everything ourelves and determining what may grow and live where with fences and rules. But the wolf Doesn’t Care about that. We find our equal in the wolf, as it were, and we have to find a way to deal with that.
That way fascinates me enormously. I have asked my or her own, but I don’t know: How will we live together with the wolf in Ten, Fifteen years? I am Very Curious About the Answer. And yes, also to Whether there will still be fat bikes in 2040 or what young people will be racing around on then.