Bicycle safety and regulation concerns rise in Belgium and the Netherlands

In Belgium, municipalities such as Sint-Niklaas, Turnhout, Sint-Truiden, and Wetteren are reporting increasing nuisance caused by fatbikes. Local authorities are calling for restrictions on these vehicles, but legal experts note that 'fatbike' is not a distinct legal category. Under current traffic laws, these vehicles are classified based on technical specifications like power, speed, and whether they require pedaling. The issue stems from modified electric bikes that exceed the legal 250-watt and 25 km/h limits, rather than the physical appearance of the bikes themselves.

In the Netherlands, bicycle repair shops in Friesland, particularly in Drachten and the Smallingerland municipality, are reporting a rise in punctured tires. The damage is attributed to steel needle brush machines used by municipalities to remove weeds from streets. Broken iron pins from these brushes are left on the road, piercing bicycle tires. The Fietsersbond suggests that more frequent preventive maintenance using non-steel brushes could mitigate this risk.