A recent TikTok video has sparked a heated debate about road safety in the Netherlands. In the now-viral footage, a high-speed, souped-up fatbike narrowly avoids a collision with a car turning right. This close call sharply reminds us how the rise of these silent, ultra-fast bikes is challenging our expectations of what safe road behavior should be.

Silent Speed – A Dangerous Mix

In the video, a fatbike can be seen racing down the bike lane at impressive speed. What seems like a normal encounter turns risky when a car, pulling out of a parking spot to make a right turn, almost strikes the fatbike – the rider appears almost out of nowhere. Both parties react just in time, narrowly avoiding what could have been a serious crash.

A closer look reveals this isn't a regular e-bike. The fatbike in question has been clearly modified, traveling well above the legal 25 km/h limit for electric bikes. These fatbikes act like mopeds but look unthreatening, typically riding bike paths without license plates or helmets.

Who's at Fault?

The video set off a storm of reactions on social media. Who is responsible: the driver turning right, or the fatbike rider speeding down the lane at moped-like speeds? Traffic experts call this a classic trap – when a vehicle's appearance doesn't match its capabilities, confusion and danger follow. Drivers expect a casual cyclist, not a teen zipping by at over 40 km/h, making it nearly impossible to anticipate and react safely.

Skyrocketing Fatbike Popularity

Fatbikes are hugely popular, especially among young people. Their tough looks, smooth ride, and ease of modification make them appealing, but that also raises the risk – with many exceeding legal speed limits. Add a lack of enforcement, and the danger increases. Most have no plate, no helmet required, and few are equipped with bells or advanced lights, creating confusion and the potential for calamity.

Regulatory Blind Spot

In this particular video, the regulatory gap is evident: the car turns cautiously, but the fatbike bursts into view at startling speed. It raises the question: are our traffic laws – written for a time with clear distinctions between vehicle types – still suited for today's reality?

Currently, fatbikes are legally classed as ordinary bikes, subject to almost no extra requirements – even though their speed and weight suggest otherwise. Law enforcement is far behind, and this makes for an increasingly crowded and risky situation as these hybrid vehicles grow in number and danger.

Tragedy Is Waiting

Although this incident ended without injury, experts warn it's only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs. They call for tougher rules, more frequent checks, and especially increased awareness among both fatbike riders and drivers. The silence, speed, and unpredictability of tuned fatbikes make them a ticking time bomb on bike paths.

Time for Change

This near miss should serve as a wake-up call: when a vehicle looks like a bicycle but behaves like a scooter, it's time for our laws – and attitudes – to catch up. The debate on fatbike safety isn't just timely, it's urgent.

See the original video for yourself – a moving image tells the story better than words: Watch the video

Who do you think is at fault? More importantly, what must change to make our streets safer for everyone?

Source: https://www.nieuwspauze.nl/video-bijna-ramp-met-opgevoerde-fatbike-wie-zit-fout/