st33lb0ne

Not the typical fatbike im referring to but ok. Here in NL we have big problem with fatbikes like these illegally modified to go 50km/h They look like this for example

There are quite a few issues we`re having here in the NL:

Many fatbikes are illegaly modified to go 50km instead of 25
When riding modified fatbikes you are uninsured, in case of an accident the other party has a big problem
There is no age limit, we have many young teens riding fatbikes. Way too young for such a fast bike. Imagine 10 year olds going 50 km/h straight though a crowded marketplace, a weekly sight here I personally saw many times.
Bike lanes and infra in NL are designed for sub 25 km/h traffic, many fatbikes however drive much faster. This creates dangerous situations for normal bikes. The traffic plan simply wasnt designed for such fast vehicles.
There is no mandatory helmet by law here, as a result the annual deaths amongst cyclist is higher then ever. Since helmets became mandatory for moped drivers many swithed to modified fatbikes
Fatbikes are often way faster and heavy then a normal bike. If you do crash into a normal cyclist the damage is way worse

To conclude, Ìm not saying every ebike or fatbike is wrong. Here in the Netherlands the lack of good regulation and law is having a big impact on road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. We need good regulation asap

That being said: What country are you from? I`m wondering what is different there regulation wise

2mo ago

E-Bikes Should Not Require Pedaling, Proposes U.K. Government, Diverging From E.U.

Where are you from dude? NL based or elsewhere?

Asking because you clearly live in a different world then I do And also completely deaf to all my previous arguements about issues we`re having here. . in the Netherlands.

But hey .. im glad you`re happy with your ride.

2mo ago

E-Bikes Should Not Require Pedaling, Proposes U.K. Government, Diverging From E.U.

In the US you (hardly) have any bicycle infastructure and ride on the same road as cars.

In the Netherlands bikes and vulnerable traffic ride on seperate lanes. Introducing bikes that go 50 km/h there driven by 10 years creates a problem. This issue simply doesnt exist in the US, hence the different classification and laws

Also: Many fatbikes here are illegal and/or tweaked. People simply dont care and ride around uninsured and unsafe at 50 km/h while using their phone.

2mo ago

E-Bikes Should Not Require Pedaling, Proposes U.K. Government, Diverging From E.U.

I absolutely agree with this.

At this point making a helmet and insurance mandatory and minimal age is only logical. How many fatbikes will we see if any of the above becomes reality?

Here in the Netherlands fatbikes really started to become a thing after they made helmets mandatory for moped drivers

2mo ago

E-Bikes Should Not Require Pedaling, Proposes U.K. Government, Diverging From E.U.

You`re kidding yourself . A bike without peddaling is called a moped, scooter or motor.

Your vehicle doesnt compare at all to a normal bycicle.

Honestly people riding fatbikes are just avoiding having to wear a helmet and want the next best thing

2mo ago

E-Bikes Should Not Require Pedaling, Proposes U.K. Government, Diverging From E.U.

Im from the Netherlands, we have great bike infrastructure. But fatbike cyclists in particular are horrible drivers, endanger everyone else and dont follow any traffic rules.

Im sure you are a smart and responsible person but the fact is 99% of fatbike cyclist here are assholes

Also: We have 10 year olds driving on tweaked fatbikes going 50 km/h . Not legal but a national problem. Explain to me how its safe for a 10 year old to drive such a vehicle

Secondly a normal bike is a fraction of the weight of a fatbike. And the fatbike is moving twice the speed. If a collision does happen the normal cyclist is very much more at danger then with any normal bike.

The annual death amongst cyclist has skyrocketed here in the Netherlands. Ebikes and fatbikes are certainly a big factor in this.