Fatbikes are safer than ordinary bicycles and ebikes because of their wide tyres and low instep, according to a report drawn up for infrastructure minister Barry Madlener.

The minister commissioned the report after MP asked him to make helmets compulsory for fatbike users and bring in an age limit, because of mounting concern about their safety. The bikes are popular with young teenagers and are often souped up to speeds of over 25 kph.

The minister has said it will be difficult to single out fatbikes and said that new rules will probably have to include all ebikes – which MPs do not want.

Many road safety issues are now collectively called the “fatbike problem” while they are nothing to do with the bike in principle,” Hans Godefrooij of research bureau DTV said.

In addition, applying rules to fatbikes based on specific features such as the width of their tyres would be easy to get round, Godefrooij said.

It would be better, he said, to gain a more understanding of rider behaviour and the facts and circumstances which contribute to accidents involving fatbikes before imposing new rules.

Madlener is contemplating other measures but has not come up with anything so far, a ministry spokesman told the AD.

Following a week-long monitor of A&E admissions in October last year, public safety institute VeiligheidNL found that half the people taken to hospital after an accident with their fatbike are under the age of 16. Many suffered from serious injuries, including broken bones, cerebral haemorrhages and damage to their internal organs.