twix@infosec.pubtomicromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility@lemmy.world•Bike-loving Dutch grapple with illegal electric 'fatbike' craze gripping the NetherlandsEnglish
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2 months agoThere is a link to the article without paywall somewhere in the comments, but yes, the image is a wrong one (or actually a real, non electric mtb fatbike). The “fatbikes” we have here in the Netherlands look like this:
The problem the government faces is how to make a distinction between moped and a classic e-bike. Because from the factory there is no real difference apart from “oh it looks a bit like a moped”. My vote goes to setting the minimum age for assisted riding at 16 (except medical reasons) or at least obligating having a helmet under the age of 18 (to protect their poor undeveloped brains). Which will immediately kill the attraction which is to ride a moped without helmet. The real challenge is regulating e-bike unlocking in general (as well as adding a throttle). Which is hard because the electronics can quickly be set back to factory with a click of a button.