Dutch authorities mull over prohibiting large bicycles, known as "fat bikes," from using designated bike lanes.

The Dutch government is grappling with safety concerns surrounding the increasing use of fat bikes and electric bicycles on cycle lanes, as revealed in a series of statements and letters from Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Robert Tieman.

Minister Tieman has expressed his concerns about the growing number of accidents involving these types of bicycles, particularly those involving head injuries, which accounted for 60% of the 246 cyclist traffic accident deaths in 2024, according to Statistics Netherlands. He has shared his concerns about fat bikers tearing up the sidewalk or illegally driving fast on the bike path in a letter to the House of Representatives.

In a joint statement to parliament's infrastructure committee, the cities' transport chiefs have expressed their concern about the safety of cycle lanes. They argue that the lanes are being overloaded and were not designed for the range of bicycles now using them. The cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht are among those that have urged the government to ban certain types of motorized vehicles from cycle lanes.

Minister Tieman has stated that he will intervene with feasible measures regarding the fat bike issue, but further steps such as a minimum age or type approval could take years to enact. He is also planning a behavioral campaign to target reckless riding and a helmet requirement for under-18s starting from 2027.

The Dutch government has not yet announced any plans to redesign cycle lanes to accommodate a wider range of bicycles or to ban electric bicycles, e-scooters, or other motor-powered vehicles from cycle lanes. This comes as the government estimates that there are around 23 million bikes in the country of 18 million, with at least 44 percent of the 2024 cyclist traffic accident deaths involving electric bicycles.

The infrastructure committee of parliament is set to debate road safety on Thursday, with the meeting being in response to the request from the five Dutch cities. The number of emergency room victims in the 12 to 18 year-old age group, on fat bikes, increased from zero in 2020 to 301 in 2024, according to the Dutch government, further highlighting the need for action.

As the Dutch government navigates this complex issue, it remains committed to ensuring that cycle lanes are a safe place for all cyclists, not just the biggest, strongest, and fastest.