Under Dutch law, a fatbike is an electric bicycle as long as the motor delivers no more than 250 watts, the pedal assistance goes up to 25 km per hour and there is no throttle that lets you go faster than 6 km per hour without pedalling. You then need no driving licence, registration plate or insurance, and there is no helmet requirement or minimum age. Below you can read how things stand in October 2026, what may change and what to look out for when you buy one.
What does the law say about a fatbike?
In the eyes of the law, a fatbike is simply an electric bicycle. The same traffic rules therefore apply as for an ordinary bicycle. You ride on the cycle path or on the combined cycle/moped path, just like any other cyclist.
Two characteristics determine whether a bike counts as an electric bicycle:
- The motor has a power output of no more than 250 watts.
- The motor gives pedal assistance up to 25 km per hour.
If a fatbike meets these, you do not need a driving licence, a registration plate or third-party insurance. There is no helmet requirement and no minimum age.
When is it no longer an electric bicycle?
If a fatbike has a throttle that lets you go faster than 6 km per hour without pedalling, or if the motor assists above 25 km per hour, it is no longer an electric bicycle in the eyes of the law. It is then a moped, light moped or speed pedelec. A vehicle like that must be type-approved and different rules apply.
A tuned fatbike is not allowed on public roads. The fine for this is 320 euros. After repeated offences, the police can seize the bike. With a tuned bike you are also not insured. So always leave the speed limiter as it is.
Is a helmet requirement coming?
At the moment there is no helmet requirement. The Dutch government is, however, working on a helmet requirement for everyone up to 18 on a fatbike, e-bike or other light electric vehicle, such as an e-scooter, including passengers. The government wants it to take effect on 1 September 2027. That is not yet final.
The government has also announced a minimum age for fatbikes. Which age and from when is not yet known.
The government does not consider separate rules for fatbikes alone to be workable. That is why the plan also covers other e-bikes. If you ride with children or teenagers, a helmet is already sensible now, even without a requirement.
Local rules in Enschede and Amsterdam
A few municipalities have made their own rules. Enschede has a fatbike ban in the city centre shopping area during shopping hours. Amsterdam has a ban in the Vondelpark. Both municipalities ban electric bicycles with tyres 7 cm wide or wider there.
This is laid down in the local bye-law, the APV, and only applies in that place. Whether it holds up legally is for the courts to decide. Other municipalities are waiting to see. Outside those zones you ride wherever any cyclist may ride.
What to look out for when buying
Start with the characteristics the law mentions. The BOHLT and RED6 fatbikes we discuss below all have a 250-watt motor in the rear wheel and pedal assistance up to 25 km per hour. They have a CE marking, disc brakes, lights and a removable battery. After that, you choose based on how you will use the bike. You can find all models in our e-bikes.
Covering lots of kilometres
The BOHLT Rebel has 20-inch wheels, a 627 Wh battery and a range of up to 80 km. It rides with a Gates belt drive without gears, hydraulic disc brakes and a suspension fork. Its maximum load is 150 kg.
Gears and extras
If you want to change gear yourself, the RED6 Ghost has 5 gears and 5 assistance levels. It has a USB charging port, a suspension fork and a 468 Wh battery, good for 50 to 60 km.
Folding and storing
If you have little space at home or in the shed, look at a folding fatbike. The BOHLT F20 has 7 Shimano gears, a luggage carrier and a range of 45 to 55 km. The BOHLT Fat Twenty also folds, with 6 Shimano gears and a range of up to 40 km. You can read more about this type of bike in our article on buying an electric folding bike.
Warranty and parts
Every fatbike comes with a 24-month manufacturer's warranty. Spare parts are available for 7 years, so you can keep using the bike for a long time. Delivery is always free.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a driving licence for a fatbike?
No. If the motor has no more than 250 watts, the pedal assistance goes up to 25 km per hour and you cannot go faster than 6 km per hour without pedalling, it is an electric bicycle. You then need no driving licence or registration plate, and there is no insurance requirement.
Is there a helmet requirement for fatbikes?
Not yet. The Dutch government wants a helmet requirement for everyone up to 18, taking effect on 1 September 2027. That is not yet final.
Is there a minimum age for a fatbike?
Not at the moment. The government has announced a minimum age, but the age and start date are not yet known. If children or teenagers ride a fatbike, a helmet is sensible.
What happens if a fatbike has been tuned?
Then it is not allowed on public roads and you risk a fine of 320 euros. After repeated offences, the police can seize the bike, and you are not insured.
Can you ride a fatbike everywhere?
You ride on the cycle path or the combined cycle/moped path, just as with an ordinary bike. In October 2026, local bans apply in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam and, during shopping hours, in the city centre shopping area of Enschede. If in doubt, check with your own municipality.
How long are parts available?
For these fatbikes, spare parts are available for 7 years. On top of that, you get a 24-month manufacturer's warranty.
