Benelux crackdown on illegal e‑bikes

In late July 2026 Belgian police carried out a large‑scale operation in the coastal town of Knokke‑Heist, seizing and ordering the destruction of several heavily modified e‑steps and fat‑bikes that could exceed legal speed limits by large margins. The raid also targeted under‑age riders and passengers, emphasizing safety risks from illegal upgrades.

A few days later, Dutch municipalities intensified their own enforcement. Enschede imposed a daytime ban on fat‑bikes in its central shopping area, issuing warnings and fines, while Amsterdam applied a similar prohibition in Vondelpark, also issuing numerous fines. Both cities cited improved safety and calmer public spaces. In Breda, authorities attempted to remove a marked “orphan bike,” leading to a legal dispute that ultimately required the municipality to refund fees and cover costs after a Council of State ruling.

Together, these actions illustrate a regional push across Belgium and the Netherlands to curb unsafe electric‑vehicle modifications through police seizures, municipal bans, fines, and legal scrutiny.