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Amsterdam authorities have implemented an unprecedented ban on thick-tired electric bikes within Vondelpark following a massive surge in safety complaints and high-speed accidents involving children.
While some view "fatbikes" as a trendy and quick way to get around, others see them as a major nuisance on bike lanes.
Consequently, rising complaints in bicycle-heavy Amsterdam have forced officials to issue a historic ban on these vehicles in one of the city's premier parks.
These thick-tired electric bikes are immensely popular among children, resemble compact motorcycles, and are capable of reaching speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph).
Competing for space on busy cycle paths in the famously flat Netherlands, many classic cyclists see fatbikes as a menace due to their superior speed and size. Complaints of "fatbike gangs" of youths tearing around Dutch cities and causing havoc are also commonplace.
A petition against "aggressive fatbikers" in Amsterdam has garnered 2,400 signatures, complaining, "Pavements are racetracks. Public space no longer feels safe."
So city authorities have decided to ban them in the Vondelpark, a busy park that attracts locals and hordes of tourists on hire bikes or roller skates. "We get a huge amount of complaints," said Melanie van der Horst, the Amsterdam city official who introduced the ban.
In an interview at the park, she told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that complaints regarding fatbikes have skyrocketed from just around 20 a few years ago to over 2,000 today.
Fatbikes are supposed to have a maximum speed of around 25 kph, but they are often illegally souped up to reach anywhere between 50 and 60 kph.
Van der Horst highlighted the severe danger of the trend, noting the extreme risk of an 11-year-old riding a large, modified fatbike at 50 kph through the city.
She added that accidents have already landed children in the hospital with severe trauma, including brain injuries and torn knee ligaments.
According to medical professionals, the force of these crashes mirrors the impact of a motorcycle accident.
Visitors to the Vondelpark generally welcomed the ban, with a healthy dollop of the liberal skepticism for which Amsterdam is world-famous.
While local football coach Aleksandar Rankovic, 47, generally opposes outright bans, he noted that restricting underage riders would have better addressed the core issue, though he agreed the new rule brings welcome peace to park visitors.
Similarly, 27-year-old psychologist Tanja Meuris supported the restriction, acknowledging that even standard electric bikes like her own pose risks if ridden carelessly, making it hard to distinguish between the two vehicle types. Enacted on May 11, the regulation specifically targets any motorized bike equipped with tires wider than seven centimeters.
Starting next week, individuals caught riding a fatbike in Vondelpark will face the following penalties:
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