Hoera! Fatbikes will be officially banned in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark (will more locations come?)

After years of complaints, accidents, and debate, Amsterdam has officially confirmed a fatbike ban in Vondelpark. It takes effect on May 11, and yes, officers will be checking.

What counts as a fatbike, you ask? Well, a fat bike. The ban includes any bike whose tyres are wider than seven centimetres, and comes with pedal assistance.

The kind of chunky electric bike driven by a teenage boy in a black puffer jacket, with three of his friends seated behind him.

Vondelpark is the first location in Amsterdam to get the ban due to the sheer volume of nuisance complaints filed with the city and police, as well as road accidents involving e-bikes.

Meanwhile, traffic alderman Melanie van der Horst tells NOS: “There are playing children, joggers, people who sport, picnic, or walk their dogs. There’s no place for fast, heavy fatbikes.”

What happens if someone rides one?

The two weeks following May 11 will be a grace period: fatbikers will be let off with a warning.

After that, getting caught on a fatbike inside the park will cost you €115. For riders between 12 and 16 years old, the fine is halved to €57.50. The BOAs (municipal enforcement officers) will be in charge of enforcement.

“I didn’t know” will not be a possible excuse, as there will be prohibition signs placed at the park’s entrances, and alternative routes around the park will be signposted for riders.

Fancy a walk? Fatbikers can also dismount and walk through Vondelpark.

Will the ban actually work?

According to NOS, there were 115 accidents involving fatbikes over just three months in 2025.

So natuurlijk, Amsterdam isn’t the first Dutch city to try alienating fatbikes.

Enschede introduced a similar ban in its city centre last month, and the results look promising: the number of fatbikes in the area has dropped noticeably.

Over the coming months, Amsterdam will be watching closely. If the Vondelpark experiment pays off, fat bikes could find themselves unwelcome in a lot more places.

Why did the ban take so long?

The idea for the ban was floated back in November, and the Amsterdam City Council voted in favour in February 2026.

However, GroenLinks raised concerns that the ban may “stigmatise” certain groups of young people.

The party changed its mind after some edits to Amsterdam’s local ordinance amendment (removing characterising words such as “intimidation”).

The new law is an amendment to the Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening (general local regulations). The same rulebook that got the beer bikes banned from the city back in 2017.

Are you in favour of banning fatbikes in parts of Amsterdam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!