On Monday afternoon around 4 PM, a traffic unit from the Rivierenland police observed a fatbike on the Mechelse Wollemarkt. The officer noticed the rider was traveling at a constant speed without pedaling.
Details of the Incident
The police pursued the fatbike and stopped it at Nieuwwerk. The rider and passenger, a brother and sister aged 11, stated they were riding from Mechelen to Kapelle-op-den-Bos after school.
The fatbike and the minors were taken to the police station for inspection. It was discovered that the fatbike was equipped with a throttle, allowing it to reach speeds of 25 km per hour autonomously.
According to Dirk Van de Sande from the Rivierenland police, the fatbike was classified as a class A moped due to its ability to operate without pedaling. Consequently, it did not comply with regulations and was confiscated by the authorities.
The parents of the two minors were informed of the incident. The father came to pick them up from the police station.
Safety Concerns
The fatbike was not registered as a moped, lacked insurance, and the rider did not meet the minimum age requirement. Neither the rider nor his sister wore a helmet.
This is not the first instance where the Rivierenland police have seized a fatbike capable of riding independently at high speeds. Similar bikes have been confiscated that could exceed speeds of 50 kilometers per hour.
