How fast does a fat bike go?

Speed ​​Limits for Legal Fatbikes

If you are considering purchasing a fat bike, it is important to know how fast it can actually go, especially in terms of legal restrictions. Here we explain how fast a legal fat bike can go and why these speed restrictions exist.

Speed ​​Limit for Legal Fatbikes

In the Netherlands and many other European countries, a specific speed limit applies to electric fat bikes that are classified as regular electric bicycles:

  • Maximum Supported Speed: The motor of a legal fatbike may provide support up to a speed of 25 km/h . This means that the electric support stops as soon as you reach this speed. It is important to understand that this speed is only supported when you are pedaling yourself.

What does this mean for the speed of your Fatbike?

  • Support Up to 25 km/h: The fatbike will accelerate up to 25 km/h using the motor, as long as you pedal. Once you reach this speed, the electric support stops and you are responsible for further speed increase using your own power.
  • Manual Speed: After reaching 25 km/h, you can go faster by pedaling harder. The speed you can reach yourself by putting in extra effort can be higher than 25 km/h, but the electric support stops at this speed to comply with the legislation for electric bicycles.

    Why this Limit?

    The 25 km/h speed limit for electric fat bikes was set to ensure safe integration of electric bikes into traffic and to distinguish them from mopeds and speed pedelecs, which have higher speeds and stricter regulations. By limiting the support to 25 km/h, fat bikes remain in the category of regular electric bikes , which have less strict requirements regarding insurance, registration and driving license.

    Exceptions

    • Speed ​​Pedelecs: If a fatbike provides support above 25 km/h, it can be classified as a speed pedelec. This requires additional regulations, such as a helmet, insurance, and a moped license.
    • Mopeds: Fat bikes with an engine power above 250W or with a throttle are considered mopeds and are subject to the associated legislation.

    So?

    A legal fatbike in the Netherlands may reach a maximum assisted speed of 25 km/h . This is the speed at which the electric assistance stops and you have to pedal yourself to go faster. This restriction helps to classify the fatbike as a regular electric bike, which means it complies with the applicable laws and regulations and offers a safe riding experience.

    At FatbikedealXL.nl we are ready to answer all your questions and help you make the right choice for your fat bike.