Infrastructure minister Barry Madlener has said again there are major problems in developing special traffic laws for fatbikes and it would “not be useful” to do so, despite parliament’s calls for action.

Last week, a majority of MPs backed introducing an age limit and making helmets compulsory for the two-wheelers, which are popular with young teenagers and are often souped up to speeds of over 25 kph.

Madlener, a minister on behalf of the far-right PVV, said earlier that it will be complicated to develop rules which only apply to fatbikes, given that they are a type of e-bike. He reiterated that position on Tuesday in a briefing for MPs.

The minister admitted that fatbikes are considered a major nuisance on the roads but said this is mainly “down to the user”. A solution is “not as simple as discussions would suggest,” the minister told MPs.

Describing the fatbike as a wide-wheeled electric bike with a low frame and possibly two person saddle would not solve the problem, he said. “The problem will then transfer to new types of fatbike or other e-bikes which can be souped up.”

Measures would only be possible if they were drawn up to apply to all e-bikes with pedal support, he said, adding that there would not seem to be support in society for such a shift in strategy.

However, an age limit could be introduced via a change in the law, as could compulsory helmets, although it would take until 2026 to come into force, Madlener said.

MPs are due to debate road safety and the fatbike issue on Wednesday.

Last week Madlener launched a new campaign to stop e-bike users going too fast, introducing a €310 fine for the users of the two-wheelers which travel at speeds higher than 25 kph.