Police in Lower Saxony are currently warning about modified fatbikes on the roads and announcing expanded targeted checks. During checks in recent days, officers found numerous offences, including in Nordhorn at the the County of Bentheim ; some vehicles were seized. Police directorates, including Osnabrück Police, report electric bicycles whose motors can be made to exceed the legal limit by using a sequence of button presses or changing software settings, or can be powered by a throttle.
According to the authorities, bikes modified in this way no longer qualify as bicycles. Anyone riding such a vehicle risks fines and criminal penalties, including prosecution for driving without a licence. They are also not covered by insurance; the compulsory insurance law may have been breached. Police point out that imported models are often involved, as they can be modified at the factory or with little effort.
Experts warn of material risks: the brakes, frames and lights on many imported or modified models are not designed for higher speeds. This increases the risk of accidents, particularly during emergency braking and evasive manoeuvres. The German Road Safety Council supports stepped-up checks and advises giving owners targeted guidance on the legal consequences and safe, lawful equipment.
The law states that a pedelec counts as a bicycle only if its electric motor provides assistance exclusively while pedalling and that assistance cuts out at 25 km/h at the latest. A starting aid is permitted only up to 6 km/h. If assistance continues beyond that speed or a motor provides acceleration without pedalling, the vehicle is no longer a bicycle. Regulations for mopeds or motor vehicles then apply, for example under the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations and the Vehicle Registration Ordinance. Without the appropriate type approval, operating permit, insurance plate and relevant driving licence category, drivers risk proceedings and having the vehicle taken off the road.
Police advise buyers to check the vehicle’s origin and CE marking, and not to alter its control settings. Anyone unsure should consult a specialist retailer. On the road, drivers should cooperate during checks, keep their documents to hand and disclose any technical modifications. Police say targeted checks in Lower Saxony will continue to enforce vehicle approval rules and reduce risks.
The findings described are based on statements from several police departments and reports by regional broadcasters on 9 and 10 November 2026. Assessments of legal consequences and road safety are attributed to the sources cited in each case.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).