Posted on 05/24/2026 8:12:04 AM PDT by Red Badger
In cycle-loving Amsterdam, authorities have barred so-called fatbikes from the busy Vondelpark after rising complaints over speeding youths and unsafe paths.
City officials have implemented an unprecedented ban on “fatbikes” in Amsterdam’s iconic Vondelpark to protect the crowds of locals and tourists who visit daily on foot, traditional hire bicycles, or roller skates.
The restriction follows growing public frustration over youths tearing through the city on the robust electric vehicles. Reports of “fatbike gangs” causing havoc recently culminated in a petition against aggressive riders that gathered 2,400 signatures, with organisers arguing
Pavements are racetracks. Public space no longer feels safe.
Named for their ultra-thick tyres, fatbikes are capable of hitting speeds up to 60km/h. Sharing space on Amsterdam’s famously crowded cycle paths, they have increasingly become a source of friction with traditional cyclists who view the heavy, fast vehicles as a menace.
Last year saw a rise in public concern about the number of asylum seekers in the Netherlands who appear to be using these typically expensive items as their main mode of transportation.
Fat Bikes at Dutch Asylum Centers Spark Debate
TEC News — September 15, 2025
Once seen as a luxury item, so-called fat bikes are now increasingly used by asylum seekers in the Netherlands.
Fat bikes are becoming a common sight among asylum seekers in the Netherlands, with long rows of them parked outside reception centers. The trend has sparked questions and political debate, as these bikes are usually expensive, often costing over €1,000. Critics have asked how asylum seekers can afford them.
Incidents such as a fat bike catching fire at a center in Baarn or groups of young riders causing disturbances in Dutch towns have drawn further attention to the machines and their new owners.
According to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), the popularity of fat bikes has grown significantly in recent years. Many asylum seekers, however, buy cheaper Chinese-made models online or at markets like Beverwijk’s Bazaar for €250–€500. Some finance them with their weekly allowance, savings from odd jobs, or by using the bikes for delivery work. For residents of remote centers, fat bikes also provide practical transport over long distances.
The COA does not actively promote the purchase of fat bikes but has issued safety guidelines for charging and maintaining them, including warnings about battery risks. Observers note that while many assume asylum seekers are poor, many have already invested significant sums in their journeys before arriving, making such purchases less surprising.
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You take your life into your own hands when trying to cross a bike path in Amsterdam. They won’t slow down for anything.
Gosh, it sure would be nice if they would explain what “fatbikes” actually are.
I have watched videos of “magnet fishers” in Amsterdam .
They are forever pulled out bikes, mopeds, scooters , motorcycles , etc from the canals.
Apparently, it is common for Amsterdam residents to own a quality bike which is their daily ride for going to the office, grocery or whatever. Many also own cheap “beater” bicycles for pub night (which is when many bikes end up in the canals).
Seems to me the Fatbikes would be easy targets for thieves.
Bikes are great in the summer, but what about in winter?
The issue is electric vs human power not tire size.
Maybe they are referring to the ‘riders’........😏
Maybe. There someone about ‘fatbike gangs’ that just doesnt elicit a very dangerous or fearsome imagine.
"A fatbike (also called fat bike, fat tire, fat-tire bike, or snow bike) is a bicycle with oversized tyres, typically 3.8 in (97 mm) or larger and rims 2.16 in (55 mm) or wider, designed for low ground pressure to allow riding on soft, unstable terrain, such as snow, sand, bogs and mud.[1] "
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