Dutch government to ban e-bike speed boosting kits

The Dutch government will ban the possession and use of speed booster devices for electric bicycles on public roads, according to news website RTL. The measure is designed to improve road safety and limit nuisance.

There have been complaints in the Netherlands about fast-moving electric bicycles for some time. So-called fat bikes in particular are a source of contention. Those e-bikes with fat tires and a large saddle are very popular among young people.

Like all other electric bicycles, the bicycles are allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. But speed boosting kits for fat bikes are becoming popular. They can be used to equip the bike with a throttle so pedalling is no longer needed and can also remove the top speed limitation.