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Two young women feeling independent on a fatbike.
Most older Dutch people despise fatbikes. Fatbikes made up 13% of all bike sales in the Netherlands in May 2026 (all e-bikes are 56% of all new Dutch bike sales).
Fatbikes are very popular with teens. They can fit two or even three young bodies and go fast. What’s not to love?
One big problem is Dutch bike paths are rarely designed for fast-moving vehicles weaving through slower bikers. All the same, these young people have more freedom, and a generation of teens on fatbikes is so much better than a new generation of car users.
Fatbikes are electric bikes with fat tires (at least 10cm (4”) wide. Designed originally for snow, sand and mud riding, most fatbikes are half the price of comparable more traditional e-bikes and designed to carry multiple passengers. Their fat tires make more noise on road surfaces, and their speed and weight make them more menacing to people on bike paths, especially when they are piloted by children. Some fatbikes are sold with a package to override their throttle control and allow people to go up to 45kmh (28mph). Dutch local and national legislators have been trying various schemes to limit fatbike speed and protect slower-moving bikers. Still a work in progress.
Two young women feeling independent on a fatbike.
Most older Dutch people despise fatbikes. Fatbikes made up 13% of all bike sales in the Netherlands in May 2026 (all e-bikes are 56% of all new Dutch bike sales).
Fatbikes are very popular with teens. They can fit two or even three young bodies and go fast. What’s not to love?
One big problem is Dutch bike paths are rarely designed for fast-moving vehicles weaving through slower bikers. All the same, these young people have more freedom, and a generation of teens on fatbikes is so much better than a new generation of car users.
Fatbikes are electric bikes with fat tires (at least 10cm (4”) wide. Designed originally for snow, sand and mud riding, most fatbikes are half the price of comparable more traditional e-bikes and designed to carry multiple passengers. Their fat tires make more noise on road surfaces, and their speed and weight make them more menacing to people on bike paths, especially when they are piloted by children. Some fatbikes are sold with a package to override their throttle control and allow people to go up to 45kmh (28mph). Dutch local and national legislators have been trying various schemes to limit fatbike speed and protect slower-moving bikers. Still a work in progress.