The average local velocity of the upward of particles motion was determined in a dense fluidized bed by the means of a fibre optical probe. The probe consists of two independent light gates. The particles passing in front of the light gates reflect the light, generating sign sequences that are analysed by computer From the average time difference of the sign sequences and from the distance of the light gates, the average local velocity can be calculated. The average local velocity of the particles along the height and diameter of the fluidized bed and also as a function of the fluidization air velocity was examined. It was concluded that the average local velocity is closely correlated with the local porosity of the dense fluidized bed and depends mainly on the fluidization air velocity. Using a fibre optical probe, the optimum range of the fluidization air velocity can be determined.