Fatbikes

Electric fatbikes pair wide 4-inch tyres and a low step-through frame with pedal assistance and a comfortable buddy seat, which explains their popularity with Dutch teenagers and urban riders. The tyres also cope with sand, gravel and snow. In 2025 about 108,000 fatbikes were sold in the Netherlands at an average price of €1,198, roughly 58% below the €2,872 average for all e-bikes (RAI Vereniging and BOVAG).

Choose carefully, because legality depends on the build, not the brand. A legal fatbike has a 250 W motor, assistance that stops at 25 km/h and no throttle that drives the bike without pedalling faster than about 6 km/h. Then it counts as a normal bicycle: no licence, plate, insurance or minimum age. Tuned bikes or full-throttle models are treated as mopeds, and police checks are increasing. A helmet requirement for under-18s is planned for September 2027 but is not final.

Our top three:

  1. ENGWE L20. About €1,099 for a compact 20-inch fatbike with an aluminium frame, four colours and a stated range of 60 to 80 km. One retailer ranks it its top seller. A stronger L20 Boost version claims 75 Nm of motor torque.
  2. Ouxi V8. Also about €1,099, recommended for beginners by the review site BesteFatbike.nl as a straightforward, affordable starter model. The Don Souris Capo at €1,299 is a value alternative.
  3. Brinckers Buddy. From €2,599, this fatbike-longtail hybrid has Bafang components, 22-inch wheels and a buddy seat, and can carry one or two children.

Illegal builds can bring fines, seizure and refused insurance claims. Always ask a dealer for the continuous motor power, the speed limiter setting and warranty terms in writing. Fatbikes are popular with thieves, so add an ART-2 lock. Then browse our fatbike accessories and spare parts, from locks to 20×4.0 inner tubes.

FAQ

Q1. Are electric fatbikes legal in the Netherlands?
A. Yes, if the fatbike meets the rules for a normal e-bike: a motor of no more than 250 W, assistance that stops at 25 km/h, and no throttle that drives the bike without pedalling faster than about 6 km/h. Tuned bikes or models with a working throttle are treated as mopeds and need type approval, a plate, insurance and a helmet, and they can be fined or seized.

Q2. Do you need a helmet or a minimum age to ride a fatbike?
A. Not at the moment. A legal fatbike has no minimum age, licence, plate or helmet rule, although a helmet is strongly advised. The cabinet plans a helmet requirement for riders under 18 on e-bikes and fatbikes, with September 2027 as the target date, but it is not final until parliament has approved it.

Q3. How much does an electric fatbike cost?
A. Fatbikes averaged €1,198 in the Netherlands in 2025, well below the €2,872 average for all e-bikes. Popular models such as the ENGWE L20 and Ouxi V8 sell for about €1,099, while a fatbike-longtail hybrid such as the Brinckers Buddy starts at €2,599. Check the motor power, speed limiter and warranty before you pay.