After cycling fatalities reached a new record high in the Netherlands in 2022, concerns are growing about powerful e-bikes and 'fat bikes' on the roads there, with new checks now introduced to clamp down on those that don't comply with the law.
The Dutch police have rolled out a new mobile device on which e-bikes can be mounted by the roadside. Once on the device, the capacity of the e-bikes can be tested to determine if they comply with Dutch law.
The so-called "testing benches" can also be used to check mopeds, but the main goal is to ensure road users are not traveling on e-bikes that breach laws, including at which point, and speed, the pedal assistance on the bikes cuts out.
"These test benches can check the speed of mopeds and scooters, but also test whether electric vehicles, such as electric bicycles, speed pedelecs and fat bikes, comply with the applicable legislation," the Politie Netherlands said when launching the new devices.
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"The 247 new roller test benches are distributed at police locations throughout the Netherlands. They replace the current ones that have been in use for at least 15 years - but often longer.
"In recent years, the number of accidents with serious injuries to cyclists has increased sharply. In 2022 there was even a sad record in the books: the highest number of fatal bicycle accidents ever. These figures more or less keep pace with the rise of the electric bicycle and other electrically powered two-wheelers, such as the fat bike and speed pedelec.
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The new roller "test bench" has two settings: mopeds or electric vehicles. Mopeds (scooters) and light mopeds are checked for maximum speed. Electric vehicles - including electric bicycles, fat bikes or speed pedelecs - are checked to assess the moment at which the pedal assistance ceases.
"For this purpose, these bicycles are strapped to the roller test bench with tension straps," the Dutch police added. "To prevent them from being damaged, hooks with soft material are used for this. A police officer will then cycle on the e-bike, fat bike or speed pedelec until the pedal assistance stops."
The legal limit for electric bicycles and fat bikes is 25kmph and for speed pedelecs it is 45kmph in the Netherlands, where fat bikes are legally questionable.
"With many fat bikes the pedal assistance can continue to exceed 25kmph. In addition, some models have a motor of more than 250 Watts or a throttle that allows you to drive faster than 6kmph without pedaling," the Dutch police said.
"That is also not allowed. Despite the fact that the fat bike resembles a moped, it remains to be seen whether this vehicle will be allowed on the road after an official inspection."
If e-bikes and fat bikes are checked and are found to be in breach of the capacity permitted on the roads in the Netherlands, fines of €250 can be issued to the owners. After the first offence, if the bike is used again it can be confiscated.
