Tag Archive: fat bikes

  1. Netherlands report shows astonishing trends in the search for speedy fat bikes.

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    Source: Nieuwsfiets.nu

    The Fatbike Market Monitor 2024 published by Marktdata.nl confirms, once again, that consumers in the Netherlands are searching online en masse for fat bikes with too much motor power, too high a maximum speed, and with a throttle and tuning capacity.

    The report further shows that consumers are increasingly ordering fat bikes directly from China, which do not always meet European safety standards. This, combined with an increasing number of accidents involving fat bikes, seems to inevitably prompt the adoption of measures. Marktdata.nl has analyzed the online search volume for fat bikes over the past four years with regard to the power of the pedal assist motor.

    A significant 61% of individuals are in search of fat bikes capable of reaching speeds of 45 km/h, while 26% prefer those that can hit 50 km/h.

    “Of all searches that have searched for a fat bike with a specific motor power, more than 60% relate to a 750W motor. Another almost a quarter of the search volume relates to a 1,000W motor. Barely 10% of the searches meet the maximum power allowed of 250W,” market researcher Han van Es highlights. “With regard to the search behavior for a fat bike with a certain maximum speed, the analyses can also be called shocking. 61% of searches for a fat bike with a certain maximum speed relate to 45 km/h. In second place is the maximum speed of 50 km/h with a share of 26%.”

    Van Es suggests that there is a glimmer of optimism. Marktdata.nl has employed smart extrapolation techniques to create a projection for the upcoming year. “In addition, the search volume of fat bikes with a maximum speed of 25 km/h has both the strongest relative growth and the strongest relative growth acceleration,” Van Es continues.

    Over 150,000 fat bikes

    According to the Fatbike Market Monitor 2024 f, the term “throttle” related to fat bikes has been searched on Google in the Netherlands over 1,900 times monthly on average over the last four years. Meanwhile, the term “tuning” garnered an average of more than 1,200 searches each month. “The exact number of fat bikes in the Netherlands is not clear, but their popularity is increasing rapidly, especially among young people. The growth is partly driven by the ease with which fat bikes can be tuned, which can lead to higher speeds and therefore an increased risk of accidents,” says Van Es. “VeiligheidNL [The Dutch Consumer Safety Institute] and other organizations are seeing a sharp increase in the number of accidents involving fat bikes. It remains difficult to find out exact figures, partly due to a lack of registration and control. We estimate the number of fat bikes in the Netherlands to be at least more than 150,000 units.”

    AliExpress ranks as one of the top searched brands and companies in the fat bike market.

    Van Es highlights the dangers associated with low-cost models, frequently imported from China, which may not consistently adhere to European safety regulations. “The regulations and enforcement surrounding fat bikes are still in their infancy, which makes it difficult to paint a complete picture of the total amount in the Netherlands,” says Van Es. “While other types of bicycles in the Netherlands are usually searched for by the well-known brands and Dutch purchasing channels, Marktdata.nl notes that, in the online search behaviour of consumers, numerous Chinese and other Asian parties that supply directly play a significant role.”

    Consider not only Chinese brands like the Ouxi V8 but also sales platforms like AliExpress and Alibaba. This year, AliExpress ranks as the eighth most searched brand and company in the fat bike market, while the Ouxi V8 holds the top spot.

    The Fatbike Market Monitor 2024 is a 35-page research report in A4 format, which provides insight into the orientation and interest of Dutch consumers with regard to fat bikes and their developments over the past four years. With the help of big data from the Google search engine, the market in terms of providers and brands has also been mapped. In addition, the report provides expected trends and developments for the coming year using intelligent extrapolation. Find out more here.

  2. The Netherlands’ House of Representatives seeks to legislate for electric fat-bike riders

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    Source: NieuwsFiets.nu

    The House of Representatives of the Netherlands recently passed several motions aimed at addressing the issues posed by fat bikes and enhancing the safety of young e-bikers.

    Key measures include setting a minimum age of 14 for riders and mandating helmet use for fat bikes. These decisions contradict the advice of Minister Barry Madlener, who had cautioned against such motions due to concerns over their legal viability.

    Despite Madlener’s previous hesitations, the House is urging him to consider the proposed age limit and helmet requirement for fat bikes. A motion put forth by parties VVD and NSC to explore these regulations received majority support, and it is anticipated that the Senate will also back these initiatives. Madlener’s primary concern lies in the legal differentiation between fat bikes and other types of e-bikes. He worries that manufacturers might alter their designs to evade compliance with the new regulations, resulting in a “cat-and-mouse game” that complicates the establishment of specific rules for fat bikes.

    It remains uncertain whether the minister will heed the House’s requests. Previously, he stated that creating a legal distinction was impractical and suggested implementing uniform regulations for all electric bicycles. However, the House of Representatives rejected this approach.

    Additionally, the House has approved a motion empowering the police to verify whether fat bikes are properly registered by accessing their electronic systems, which would aid in enforcing the new regulations.

    Here’s how the House of Representatives cast their votes:

    1. Motion NSC/CDA (Olger van Dijk/Vedder) proposed that the government explore the feasibility of implementing a type approval system for all electric bicycles equipped with pedal assistance, potentially establishing a quality mark. This motion was APPROVED by the House of Representatives.

    2. Motion VVD/NSC (Veltman/Olger van Dijk) called for the government to set a minimum age of 14 years and mandate helmet use specifically for fat bikes, with a request to update the House of Representatives on this matter before the Christmas break. This motion was APPROVED by the House of Representatives.

    3. Motion VVD/CDA (Veltman/Vedder) sought to empower the police to access the menu of fat bikes during inspections, enabling them to identify violations and impose penalties on the spot. This motion was APPROVED by the House of Representatives.

    4. Motion GL/PvdA & D66 (de Hoop/Bamenga) urged the government to assess the possibility of extending a registration requirement to all motorized road traffic, including e-bikes, fat bikes, and other current or future vehicles on public roads. This motion was REJECTED by the House of Representatives.

    5. Motion BBB (van der Plas) requested the government to explore the potential use of geofencing in the Netherlands to enhance road safety in public areas. This motion was APPROVED by the House of Representatives.

  3. ILT aims to put an end to the sale of non-compliant fat bikes through authorised trade channels.

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    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.

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