It’s a machine that was invented around forty years ago. Legend has it that it was in Alaska that the “fat bike” was adopted for a very specific use: being able to cycle on the snow. To avoid slipping, the inhabitants of this North American state had the idea of fitting large rims capable of holding large tires. The “fat bike” was born.
For years, its use remained marginal, but it happened that we came across them from time to time on mountain paths or on the beaches of the southwest (where they were sometimes banned). The Harley Davidson look was cool but it was excruciatingly slow so we left it at that. With the explosion in the use of electrically assisted bicycles (VAE), the fat bike has carved out an unexpected place for itself in urban areas. After Amsterdam or Rotterdam, it is now Paris which is faced with some problems of cohabitation with these “abnormal” bicycles. Not because they have big tires. Rather because their use is diverted to make them real “bicycle SUVs”. 20 Minutes explains to you.
We often hear that “it’s not the size that matters”. But in the jungle of the city, size can matter. Because a child pedestrian will be more fragile than a guy on his scooter, who will be more fragile than a scooter driver, who will be more fragile than a motorist behind the wheel of an SUV. In the midst of this, cyclists are trying to exist. “Fat bikes have a very cool look that some people like, compared to more classic or traditional bikes. But there are also many people who choose them because it makes them feel safer. The shocks are absorbed and the saddle is often more comfortable,” assures Tobias, founder of Roues, a boutique located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris.
By offering a lower center of gravity, the fat bike is easy to maneuver and safe. Its wide tires are a real plus in the most extreme conditions, but not only that. “It allows you to ride on the sand, on the snow, but it is also very pleasant when it rains or for riding on the Parisian cobblestones,” continues the bicycle dealer. Founder of the French brand Gorille Cycles, Christophe Yvars confirms the craze. “Even in the city, it’s much nicer. But we have quite a few customers who find it reassuring to have a bigger bike when you are in the middle of traffic,” assures the boss of this brand born in 2015 and dedicated 100% to large tires.
“They are scooters disguised as bicycles”
The problem facing large Dutch (and now French) cities, however, has little to do with comfort. What we're talking about is more speed. In Europe, the fat bike is subject to the same standards as its thin-wheeled counterparts. Its motor must not exceed 250 watts and its electric assistance must cut off at 25 km/h. If the machine is unrestrained, it is then no longer considered a bicycle but a moped. It is then obligatory to insure it, to register it and its driver must wear a full-face helmet like motorcyclists. These powerful bikes capable of traveling at nearly 50 km/h clearly pose cohabitation problems. “We can talk about the SUVization of the bicycle. The problem isn't the fat tires, it's that they're scooters disguised as bikes. These are machines that have no place on a cycle path,” says Olivier Schneider, president of the Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB).
In recent years, however, fat bikes have found unlikely allies by catching the eye of delivery people on the Uber Eats or Deliveroo platforms. “They buy cheap bikes that come from China and that are not approved. Very often, they don’t even know that it is prohibited,” assures the boss of Gorille Cycles. Bikes that do not respect any standards and do not even require pedaling, a simple press of a trigger being enough to launch them at more than 35 km/h. Fast, inexpensive, comfortable bikes in all weathers. These precarious workers quickly understood their interest in opting for the wide tire, to the point of invading the cycle paths. “We are clearly on a drift. We had seen it in the Netherlands and we understand the concerns. Because pedestrians are a little more afraid of a big bike that goes too fast,” concedes the French manufacturer.
Parisian elected officials on fire
In October, Modem elected officials from the City of Paris asked the municipal majority to consider measures to “prevent accident risks”. But what measure? “Some are calling for legislation. But it already exists! The legislative arsenal exists. You simply need to apply it and check that the bikes are in order,” replies Olivier Schneider. Beyond the problems of cohabitation, the boss of the FUB is also worried about the consequences of possible accidents.
« Even if they are not at fault, they will be held responsible and their insurance will not cover them. It can be dramatic for everyone, including the victims. » »
The problem with this cabal against fat bikes is that it alone takes away all the users, whether they are legal or not. And this is not good for the business of sellers or manufacturers, who are worried about the degradation of the image of this attractive bike. “We stigmatize fat bikes because they are easily recognizable. Fat bike is not synonymous with unbridled cycling. Some are. But there are also classic VAEs which are unrestricted. I think that many users don't even know what they are allowed to do or not, what is “street legal” and what is not. And whether you're on a fat bike or not, what particularly irritates Parisians is the non-compliance with the Highway Code,” concludes Tobias, from the Roues brand.
