the phenomenon of “fatbikes”, these imposing electric bicycles, is debated in Paris

The question of cohabitation on the road resurfaces after the death of Paul, a young cyclist crushed in Paris by a car after an altercation. The success of “fatbikes” also raises questions.

It’s a bike that almost looks like a motorcycle. On a cycle path, it does not go unnoticed with its imposing look, but also sometimes by its speed. Parisian and biker, Alexis decided to treat himself to a famous “fatbike” for 4,000 euros. “These are vehicles that can drive fast, but you have to know how to use them, he said. And legally, it’s a bike that is limited to 25 km/h, like all electrically assisted bikes, so you ride like a normal bike.

“You can afford not to pedal while traveling at 25 km/h. When you come home from work and have worked for 12 hours, not pedaling while driving is still super pleasant,” continues Alexis. He also installed a trigger on his machine. “It’s something that you have to buy off-market, on sites like Amazon or Ali Express”. Except that this trigger is illegal on public roads, because the accelerator must normally cut off above 6 km/h. These “fatbikes” are in fact too easily unclampable, which is not authorized on public roads. And on the Internet, there are lots of tutorials to get there.

In Paris, where “fatbikes” are enjoying great success, a manager of one of the “Les Cyclistes Branchés” shops fears regulations that are too strict in the future. “If everyone behaves badly, we end up with general confusion, accidents, etc. And behind that, we put everyone in the same group and we penalize the people who do well.” He fears that we will impose, for example, helmets on everyone or even compulsory insurance.

To fight against illegal “fatbikes”, the Modem et Indépendants group at the Council of Paris has submitted a wish for better regulation. “What we ask, says Maude Gatel, the group’s president, it is that regulation can be made to prevent the anarchy that we have experienced with scooters, that the municipal police ensure that there are not these unbridled bikes on cycle paths, thus being able to create accidents and anxiety-provoking situations. But the group’s request was ultimately refused by Paris town hall.