THE HAGUE – The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has confiscated over 16,500 fat bikes and is now aiming to halt their sale through official retail channels.

Source: NieuwsFiets

These illegal mopeds originate from various Chinese manufacturers, and the ILT has successfully blocked their import at the port of Rotterdam. Additionally, around 1,000 uninspected mopeds were seized from a Dutch distributor’s warehouses.

This action is part of an ongoing investigation that the ILT has been conducting since July. Once the investigation concludes, the case will be handed over to the Public Prosecutor’s office. Consumers often mistakenly believe they are purchasing e-bikes, when in reality, they are acquiring mopeds.

The Inspectorate cautions that an unapproved moped cannot simply be transformed into a legal electric bicycle through a software update or a button press. “The fat bikes that exceed speed limits typically possess a motor that is too powerful and other moped-like features. Their performance is artificially restricted, leading consumers to think they are buying an electric bicycle, when it is actually a moped (fat bike),” the ILT stated in a press release. Sellers or users can easily alter the fat bike’s settings using a code or an app, allowing speeds to soar between 35 to 45 km/h. “The frame, brakes, and tires are not designed or tested for such high speeds,” the ILT warns. “This creates hazardous situations with a significant risk of accidents and injuries.”

Bicycle or Moped?

A fat bike doesn’t fall into a distinct legal category; it merely describes a two-wheeled vehicle with certain external features, such as wide tires. Often, it’s challenging to distinguish between an electric bicycle and a moped just by looking at it. The classification of the vehicle hinges on its technical specifications.

There are specific legal requirements for mopeds, including type approval, license plates, third-party insurance, and the necessity for a helmet and a driver’s license for those aged 16 and older. The ILT points out a common issue: “A fat bike marketed as an electric bike may actually qualify as a moped based on its technical specs and performance.”

If a fat bike exceeds speeds of 25 km/h, it is classified as a moped. This can happen if the user or provider modifies the bike to surpass that speed, such as by entering a code in a menu, which allows the pedal assistance to continue beyond 25 km/h. Additionally, if the vehicle has a power output exceeding 250 watts, it also falls into the moped category.