Currently, it is already prohibited to ride a modified electric bicycle on public roads. Therefore, throttle controls are banned on this mode of transportation, and it is forbidden to have a modification kit on. With the new regulations, it will be prohibited to have such a modification kit installed on the electric bicycle at all.

Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management): “It seems nowadays that everyone has had a dangerous experience with a modified electric bicycle. A fat bike that wasnt there when you looked in that direction while crossing, an electric bicycle making dangerous overtaking maneuvers on a crowded bike path, or a cyclist who takes a too wide turn due to high speed. Extremely dangerous; no wonder these vehicles are prohibited from having assistance above 25 km/h. Unfortunately, I still see this ban being frequently violated. Therefore, I will work on an amendment to the regulations to clarify what is not allowed for users.”

Because the existing modification kits are now very easy to switch off and on, an illegal rider can turn off the modification kit when the police are in sight and turn it back on after the police have passed. With the new regulations, you will no longer be able to evade a fine in this way.

It remains prohibited to ride on a modified electric bicycle. There is currently already a fine of 310 euros for this. Only if this mode of transportation has been approved by the RDW as a moped or scooter can the vehicle be allowed on the road. This also includes, for example, minimum age, drivers license requirement, and helmet requirement.

The ban on modification kits on your electric bicycle is one of the measures being taken by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. A communication approach is also being developed to clarify the rules regarding modifying electric bicycles, especially for young people and parents. The goal is to implement this approach for the school year 2024-2025, in collaboration with partners such as municipalities, provinces, police, TeamAlert, and Veilig Verkeer Nederland.

Additionally, the ministry is looking to sign a Dutch covenant with the bicycle industry and various interest organizations. This will be worked out in the coming months.

Furthermore, enforcement will, of course, be carried out by the police and the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT). The police have new roll test benches since this year, and by summer, each unit must have at least one. Last summer, the ILT imposed nine penalties on suppliers of vehicles they sold as if they were electric bicycles.