In early October, doctors from 82 Dutch hospitals compared the numbers of fatbike accidents recorded across their emergency rooms (ERs) — and the results are… concerning.
As RTL reports, the data points to nearly 100 accidents per week.
This confirms a long-held suspicion: the Netherlands has a fatbike problem. 😬
Let’s talk numbers
According to data collected by participating doctors, a total of 1,291 people were admitted to the emergency room after bicycle accidents during the first week of October.
While most accidents involved traditional bikes without pedal assistance (715) or regular electric bikes (480), 96 of them involved fatbikes.
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Given that there are significantly fewer fatbikes on the streets compared to regular (e-)bikes, these numbers are alarmingly high. Even more concerning is that nearly half of the accidents involved children aged 12 to 15.
As expected, accidents involving fatbikes also tend to result in more severe injuries, with fatbikers requiring hospitalisation 22% more often than regular cyclists.
Aanrijding auto – fatbike. Bestuurder fatbike naar ziekenhuis. Hoofdletsel. 😏 pic.twitter.com/9uRlvoOTHb— Johan Dubbeldam (@politie_johan) October 12, 2024
We have a problem
A quick math exercise is enough to paint a pretty bleak picture.
“Assuming this week was an average week, the rough estimate is that 5,000 fat bikers are treated in the ER each year,” the spokesperson for VeiligheidNL tells RTL.
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That is a far cry from the estimates from previous data: last year, the recorded victims of fatbike accidents were just 75.
The new data, then, confirms the urgency of restricting fatbike use by imposing a helmet requirement and an age limit, as recently planned by the cabinet.
The government has given Minister of Transport Barry Madlener until Christmas to officialise these plans.
Do you think we need stricter regulations for fatbikes? Share your thoughts in the comments.