A Helmet Requirement for Young People on Fatbikes and Other Electric Bicycles was not Received with Unanimous Applause in the House of Representatives on Thursday. Traffic Minister Robert Tieman Announced the Measure Last Week, But Many Parties Want More to Be Done To Combat Nuisance Fatbikes.
The outgoing minister and the house of representatives seem to agree that something must be done about the nuisance caused by fatbikes. And also that the bicycle path must be safe for cyclists who do not go as fast as electric bicycles.
But Opinions Differ on how this should be achieved. AltheHeT Has Been Investigated Several Times Whether Separate Rules for Fatbikes Are Possible (Answer: No), NSC Still Wants Such Rules. NSC Member of Parliament Olger van Dijk Argued for a Weight Limit. As a result, only Lighter Electric Bicycles would be Allowed.
NSC and the VVD Want a Helmet Requirement for Electric Bicycles Up to the Age of Sixteen. And not up to the age of Eighteen, as the minister Wants. GroenLinks-PvdA is “Not Necessarily for, Not Necessarily Against” A Helmet Requirement for Young People on Electric Bicycles. However, Member of Parliament Habtamu de Hoop Still Has a Lot of Questions.
Minister Tieman Said That The Council of State Will Give Advice On The Intended Helmet Requirement. After that, he will discuss the Measure with the house of representatives. That was a wish of the hope. A majority in the house of representatives is not required to introduce the Measure. The minister can decide that himself.
Tieman would also like to introduce a minimum age for electric bicycles. He himself suggested an age or twelve. This will spare secondary school students as much as possible. He will discuss his plan with the house of representatives.
Politicians in The Hague and Municipalities Have Been Struggling for some Time With the Question of How to Deal with Fatbikes and Other Electric Bicycles. Municipalities Previously Appealed to the Minister to take Measures Against Fatbikes.
Between 2020 and 2024, The Number of Victims between the ages of Twelve and Eighteen who ended up in the Emergency Room Due to An Accident With An Electric Bicycle Increased Sixfold. The Number of Fatbikers in the Emergency Room has been increased from Zero in 2020 to 301 in 2024.
Until the announcement of a helmet requirement for Young People, Measures Against Fatbikes and other electric bicycles were not tasks. The Five Major Cities (Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven) Said They Were in Favor of the Helmet Requirement. However, They Want More Options to Take Action Against, For Example, Heavy Electric Cargo Bikes and E-Steps.
The Rules on the Helmet Requirement are expected to be sent to the house of representatives in the autumn of 2026.