E-bikes and speed pedelecs in the Netherlands (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A pedelec (250 W, assistance up to 25 km/h) is a bicycle with no minimum age, helmet, licence, plate or insurance. A speed pedelec is a moped: riders must be 16 with an AM licence, a helmet, a yellow plate and liability insurance, and may not use the cycle path.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal classRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | Bicycle rules [1] |
| Assistance stops atRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | up to 25 km/h (design speed) [1] |
| Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | No minimum age. [1] |
| HelmetRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | No helmet duty. [1] |
| LicenceRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | No driving licence needed. [1] |
| Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | No registration plate and no liability insurance (WA) required. [1] |
| Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Pedelec (assistance up to 25 km/h, 250 W) | May use the cycle path and the bicycle/moped path. [1] |
| Legal classRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | Moped or motor vehicle rules [2] |
| Assistance stops atRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | up to 45 km/h (design speed) [2] |
| Minimum ageRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | 16 years. [2] |
| HelmetRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | Approved moped helmet or approved speed-pedelec helmet (NTA 8776:2016). [3] |
| LicenceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | Moped licence (category AM). [2] |
| Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | Yellow registration plate and liability insurance (WA) required. [2] |
| Cycle pathsRiding on public roads; Speed pedelec (assistance above 25 km/h, up to 45 km/h) | Not on the cycle path. Use the bicycle/moped path or the carriageway. [2] |
Notes
- The government page says a helmet duty for under-18s on e-bikes is planned and still needs parliamentary approval.
Sources
- Rijksoverheid: Welke regels gelden voor mijn elektrische fiets (e-bike, elektrische bakfiets en fatbike)? (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Rijksoverheid: Regels voor speedpedelecs (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Rijksoverheid: Moet ik een helm dragen op mijn brommer, snorfiets of speedpedelec? (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.