Type approval

The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) already confiscated 16,500 illegal bikes, and Ouxi fatbikes have now been declared illegal across the European Union.

Ouxi V8 fatbikes declared illegal in the EU

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has officially declared that Ouxi V8 fatbikes are considered an 'unauthorised' vehicle in the European Union. This means that anyone riding these vehicles is driving illegally and uninsured on the road. The China-made vehicles have risen in popularity in the Netherlands this year.

Fatbikes which do not comply with the type approval are easy to order online in China. – Photo Bike Europe

16,500 fatbikes seized in the Netherlands due to non-compliance with...

THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - In a large scale operation to halt the influx of fatbikes that do not meet the legal requirements of an e-bike or a moped, the Dutch authorities seized a total of 16,500 fatbikes. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate reports the fatbikes are in fact illegal mopeds and originate from several Chinese manufacturers.

The fatbikes were seized by the ILT because they may not meet legal requirements and could pose a risk to the safety of riders and other road users. – Photo ILT

Dutch authorities seize 3,500 fatbikes from Chinese manufacturer

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - Approximately 3,500 fatbikes have been seized by the Dutch authorities due to not meeting the legal requirements of an e-bike, but that of a moped. This requires a different type approval. Fatbikes, in some cases tampered with, have become immensely popular amongst younger riders in the Netherlands prompting calls for more law enforcement in the market.

Nine ‘fat bikes’ sellers in the Netherlands have received a €15,000 penalty from the Dutch authorities. – Photo ILT

Penalties imposed on fatbike importers for selling illegal e-bikes

THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - Dutch authorities have imposed a €15,000 penalty on 9 'fat bikes' sellers. They all offered fatbikes which did not comply with the type approval regulations and were not street legal.

Fatbikes are used on public roads despite the disclaimers by the manufacturer. – Photo ILT

Fatbike importers warned for selling illegal e-bikes

THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - 27 internet resellers have been warned by the Dutch transport authorities to stop offering their fatbikes. Research showed that they offer e-bikes that go faster than 25 km per hour and/or have a higher power than 250 watt without approval. Such e-bikes must have a type approval.

One of the main messages shared in the workshop last Wednesday was that an EU harmonized regulatory framework is needed. – Photo Bike Europe

EU regulations for electric micromobility insufficient and...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Over 200 people attended the workshop on technical requirements and road safety of personal mobility devices (PMD) this week. Organized by the European Commission, the workshop made clear that the current European regulations (L-category vehicles type approval and Machinery Directive) are insufficient and inappropriate to cover the variety of devices.

E-scooter legislation is high on the agenda at the upcoming workshop being held by the European Commisison. - Photo Bike Europe

European Commission to hold open workshop addressing LEV legislation

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Stating that current legislation is creating 'legal bottlenecks' for the development of the light electric vehicle (LEV)-market, trade association LEVA-EU is calling on the industry to make sure their voices are heard when the European Commission holds a workshop on LEV legislation this month.

The Swedish company Vässla is one of the few manufacturers that has a type-approved e-bike without pedals on the market and thus complies with the new traffic code in France.

New moped category in traffic code created in France

PARIS, France - The legalisation of e-scooters in France seems to be imminent with the creation of a new vehicle category in the French traffic code. The new so-called 'cyclomobiles légers' or light mopeds category was welcomed by the e-scooter industry. However, industry organisation LEVA-EU has warned for a big setback.

It is not directly clear how the Commission is going to follow up on their conclusion that the Machinery Directive is unsuitable. - Photo Shutterstock

LEVA-EU calls again for regulation dedicated to zero tailpipe...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - From its start, LEVA-EU has argued long and hard for a review of Directive 168/2013 which has been carried out by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) on behalf of the European Commission. Now the results have been published, LEVA-EU welcomes the conclusion that the Machinery Directive is not suitable for vehicles.

The industry organizations CONEBI, CIE and ECF gave a positive response on the outcome of the TRL study. - Photo Bike Europe

'Do not introduce e-bike type approval' TRL recommends to European...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - In a joint statement CONEBI, CIE and ECF welcomed the recommendations made in the study on the e-bike and e-cargo bike sector. TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) carried out the study on behalf of the European Commission on the safety of Personal Mobility Devices (PMD).