In recent months, a strange vocabulary has invaded the media: “fat bike,” “skinny bike,” “fake bike,” “disguised motorcycle”… At this rate, you’d almost believe a wide tire has become suspicious. Yet, not all electric bikes with big tires are the same. And above all: they don’t all operate the same way.
At Ritmic, we design approved electric cargo bikes for everyday use: transporting a loved one, groceries, a child, or simply riding more comfortably in the city.
So let's keep it simple. And put a little order back into the vocabulary.
Welcome to the semantic jungle of electric bikes
You may have read the Frandroid article reporting the situation in the Netherlands: Amsterdam and Enschede ban certain fatbikes equipped with very wide tires, and some manufacturers are already responding with “skinny bikes,” fatbikes with narrower tires, to bypass the restrictions.
The issue goes far beyond the Netherlands.
In recent months, terms like “fatbike,” “fake bike,” “unlocked bike,” or “disguised motorcycle” have been multiplying in the media.
The problem? This drift fuels a dangerous confusion: after hearing so much about “illegal fatbikes” and “bikes that aren’t really bikes,” we end up lumping all wide-tire bikes together. And that seems unfortunate to us. Because a cargo bike is not a fatbike. A wide tire is not necessarily an illegal tire. And a trigger is not always an illicit throttle.
A quick catch-up lesson, no sugarcoating.
Cargo bike, fatbike, longtail, skinny bike: the glossary to find your way
The electric bike market has invented more categories than the SNCF has fares. Let's recap.
The fatbike: Originally, a fatbike is a bike designed to ride on loose terrain like sand or snow, with very wide tires. So the problem does not come from the concept itself. The problem comes from some non-approved models that operate more like mopeds than bikes: constant assistance without pedaling, unlocking, excessive speed on bike paths, lack of insurance or registration
The “skinny bike”: The latest trend seen in the Netherlands: adopting some fatbike features but with thinner tires to stay under certain local regulatory limits. The motor sometimes remains the same.
The cargo bike: a bike with a reinforced frame to carry heavy loads: groceries, children, surfboards, bulky items, or simply a passenger. It’s a daily mobility tool designed to replace the second car. Nothing to do with an unrestricted leisure machine.
The longtail: is a family of cargo bikes whose frame is extended at the rear to accommodate an XXL rack, two children, or a real load. The Jumbo belongs to this category.
At Ritmic, we chose wide tires. But not for the reasons you might think.
Yes, our bikes have wide tires: between 8.5 and 9.5 cm depending on the model. It’s not just about looks. It’s a thoughtful technical choice, motivated by three very concrete reasons.
Stability, first. A cargo bike carries heavy loads, sometimes up to 180 kg payload on our models. A wider tire offers a larger contact patch with the ground, thus better road holding, especially with a child on the back.
Comfort, next. French bike lanes aren’t always smooth. Cobblestones, roots, poorly lowered curbs, slippery manhole covers: a wide tire absorbs shocks better and reduces the chances of tram rails throwing you off (useful reminder: always cross a rail at an angle, never parallel).
Control, finally. The more the rubber grips, the more you feel in control of your path. Whether carrying a child or weaving through traffic, it makes all the difference.
So yes, our tires are wide. But well below the "true" fatbikes (10 cm and above), and above all, they are mounted on a bike whose electric assistance is strictly limited to 25 km/h, as required by European regulations on electric pedal-assist bikes (EPAC).
The famous trigger: no, it is not a throttle
This is probably the point that causes the most confusion today. All Ritmic bikes feature a start-assist trigger. Not to be confused with the "throttle" on unrestricted fatbikes that turns the bike into a scooter.
Practically speaking, what is it for?
It gives you a boost at very low speed to start, especially when you’re loaded (a child on the seat, a full basket, shopping bags, a hill starting at a red light). This initial push is what makes the difference between “I can start off smoothly” and “I drop the bike and its passenger.”
And it is limited to 6 km/h. That’s the speed of a fast pedestrian. Beyond that, the throttle cuts off and it’s your pedal stroke that takes over, just like on any e-bike. To move forward, you have to pedal. The throttle is not an option to ride without effort; it’s a temporary aid, perfectly regulated by French and European law.
It complies with the NF EN 15194 standard, which defines legal electric-assist bikes in Europe. And it’s exactly the same frame respected by other serious brands on the market like Jean Fourche or Gaya, who row in the same direction as us to distinguish the family cargo bike from the beach fatbike.
The Ritmic range, explained to your neighbor
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, here’s what our collection looks like, without jargon.
The Solo: the cargo bike that doesn’t pretend to be a cargo bike
The Solo, is the bike for someone who rides alone most of the time but wants a sturdy frame, reassuring tires, and a rack capable of carrying much more than just a backpack. Its saddle is classic, in "normal" bike mode. If you want to carry a passenger (adult or teen), we install a cushion on the rack: it remains compact, agile, perfect for narrow streets and tight parking spots. And if your passenger is a child, install a child seat (url) in 1 click thanks to the MIK HD interface. You get it, it’s much more than a classic single-seat bike.
The Duo: two or three seats
The Duo is our “two is better” bike. Its special feature? An extended saddle that seats two people on the bike itself (one adult driving, one adult or teen behind). Unlike the Solo, the passenger sits at the same level as the rider, ensuring unmatched comfort. And if you want to carry three, it accepts a child seat at the front or rear. Ideal for car-free couples, spontaneous outings, or school-work trips for two or three.
The Ritmic Jumbo: the XXL longtail for real family life
The Jumbo is our longtail cargo. Meaning: a bike with a frame extended at the rear to offer a large reinforced luggage rack. It’s the bike for families transporting two children to school, weekly groceries, or what a car trunk can carry. Need to take your two children with all their gear for Wednesday activities? The Jumbo is made for that.
And what about the Yuvy?
Our first model, iconic of the brand! Launched in 2020 when the brand was called Elwing, the Yuvy is a very compact, simple, and efficient two-seater. Since Elwing became Ritmic, we have been improving the Yuvy with a new version almost every year!
Summary table
| Model | Type | Number of seats | Tires | Start trigger | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Solo | Compact cargo | 1 adult + 1 passenger on luggage rack cushion | 8.5 cm | Yes - limited to 6 km/h | NF EN 15194 - Max load 180 kg |
| The Duo | Two-seat cargo (or three seats) | 2 adults (extended saddle) or 1 adult + 1 child (child seat) | 8.5 cm | Yes - limited to 6 km/h | NF EN 15194 - Max load 180 kg |
| The Jumbo | Longtail cargo | 1 adult + 2 children (seats) or bulky cargo | 8.5 cm | Yes - limited to 6 km/h | NF EN 15194 - Max load 180 kg |
| The Yuvy 2 | Two-seat cargo (or three seats) | 2 adults (extended saddle) or 1 adult + 1 child (child seat) | 9.5 cm | Not compatible | NF EN 15194 - Max load 180 kg |
Common features: Bafang 250W motor (80 Nm torque), removable battery (up to 921 Wh, 115 km range in eco mode), assistance limited to 25 km/h, disc brakes, frame aaluminum.
Why this clarification?
Because confusion benefits some and harms everyone.
It benefits unscrupulous brands that sell illegal machines under the "bike" label. It harms serious brands: Ritmic, Gaya, Jean Fourche, UTO, Moustache, and many others who invest in compliance, safety, and wide tires because they are useful, not to imitate the fatbike. And it especially harms users, who end up believing that no cargo bike is legal, while almost all of them strictly follow European regulations.
An illegal fatbike unlocked that exceeds 25 km/h without pedaling, is not a bike: it's a moped. It must be registered, insured, and its rider must wear an approved helmet. Riding it on a bike lane is a crime, not a leisure activity.
A Ritmic cargo electric bike is a bike. With wide tires, of course. With a start trigger, of course. But limited to 25 km/h, equipped with assistance that only works if you pedal, and compliant with the current European standard. It's a daily mobility tool. This is what France expects to decarbonize its cities.
🚨 An electric bike approved in Europe must follow several rules:
- assistance limited to 25 km/h
- 250W nominal motor
- assistance only when pedaling
- compliance with the EN15194 standard
Ritmic bikes comply with this regulation.
In conclusion: a bit of education, a lot of common sense
If you meet a neighbor hesitating between an "electric bike" and a "fatbike," help them ask the right questions: Can I ride at a maximum of 25 km/h? Do I have to pedal to move forward? Is the bike compliant with the NF EN 15194 standard? If the answers to all three are yes, it's an e-bike. Otherwise, it's something else, and it might need a license plate.
At Ritmic (formerly Elwing), it's the philosophy we've followed since the first pedal stroke and continue to follow: making cargo bikes that simplify urban life, carry children, groceries, and surfboards, and stay where they belong: on bike lanes, within the rules, at 25 km/h.
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