Fatbike import rule-bending triggers stricter conditions in the Netherlands

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – Imports of fatbikes which do not comply with EN standards and road safety regulations has prompted the Dutch bicycle industry organization RAI Association to introduce a new e-bike quality mark. The use of illegal and tweaked fatbikes has caused a major increase in e-bike accidents and a lot of irritation amongst the Dutch public.

Thousands of non-compliant fatbikes were seized by the national authorities this summer in the port of Rotterdam and in distribution centres before they were put on the road. It raised the question why the industry is selling so many illegal products?

Helmet requirement

The nationwide restriction on the use of e-bikes, including a helmet requirement and minimum age was already discussed by the government after members of parliament addressed the issue. “The recent proposals could discourage bicycle use in the Netherlands without addressing the underlying problems,” writes the Dutch industry organisation RAI in a statement.

 

Helmet requirement

The nationwide restriction on the use of e-bikes, including a helmet requirement and minimum age was already discussed by the government after members of parliament addressed the issue. “The recent proposals could discourage bicycle use in the Netherlands without addressing the underlying problems,” writes the Dutch industry organisation RAI in a statement.

 

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“With a quality mark, we offer a targeted solution to the problems surrounding illegal fat bikes and other tuned models. This increases road safety without imposing generic restrictions on the responsible use of e-bikes,” says RAI Association chairman Frits Van Bruggen.

Ensure safety and reliability

The e-bike quality mark is intended to ensure safety and reliability in the market and to effectively tackle illegal, tuned models such as some popular fatbikes. This quality mark offers consumers certainty about the safety of their e-bike and supports law enforcement agencies in checking for illegal models. “It should make it easier for consumers to make a safe choice,” adds van Bruggen. “It is important that people are aware of the risks of illegal, tuned models and can trust certified e-bikes.”

Prices increases expected

The RAI Association will enter into discussions with policymakers and other stakeholders to work together on an appropriate implementation of the quality mark. According to a spokesperson of the industry association it is uncertain how long this process will take and when the quality mark will be introduced. He confirmed the complexity of the topic and stated it will take months to develop a quality mark.

The introduction of a quality mark by the industry themselves will require additional budget from the industry and therefore lead to a price increase in e-bikes.

Other EU countries

The introduction of the quality mark is currently being discussed in the Netherlands only, but closely watched by other EU countries with a growing e-bike market. Distributing e-bikes which do not comply with EN standards and road safety regulations is also taking place in other EU countries, although on a much smaller scale than in the Netherlands.

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“With a quality mark, we offer a targeted solution to the problems

 

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