Brussels launches e-scooter safety campaign as injuries rise

Between spring 2021 and spring 2022, the number of injury-causing accidents involving electric scooters tripled in Brussels. Brussels Mobility wants to reverse that trend with an awareness campaign, it said on Tuesday. 

The use of e-scooters in Brussels has exploded, with several private companies offering shared scooters. There are currently 23,000 such vehicles, with use peaking at 1.5 million rides in June 2022. In 2021, the monthly figure was 100,000.

As usage increases, so do the number of accidents. There were 271 accidents involving injured riders in the second quarter of 2022, up from 90 in the same period in 2021. ​ 

“When used correctly, scooters are a very practical alternative for getting around town”

Some of these accidents are due to poor rider behaviour: 8 percent of riders involved in an accident tested positive for alcohol. The region now wants to raise awareness of proper behaviour and to remind users of the rules that came into force in July last year. Riders are considered equivalent to cyclists and must use cycle infrastructure. They must obey traffic lights, may not ride under the influence of drink or drugs, and riding on the pavement is not allowed.

“When used correctly, scooters are a very practical alternative for getting around town,” says Brussels minister for mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Groen). “Good use means safely, in the right place and respecting other road users and traffic rules. We are currently providing drop-off zones all over Brussels and launching a campaign to improve coexistence between scooters and other means of transport.”

During the campaign, police will also focus on traffic offences and dangerous rider behaviour. Riding on the pavement attracts a fine of 68 euros, and the fine for driving through a red light is 184 euros.

^{© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}