E-scooter accidents in Belgium up 62 per cent in early 2025
The number of accidents involving electric scooters in Belgium rose by 62 per cent in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to road safety institute Vias based on federal police figures.
On average, five accidents causing deaths or injuries occurred each day, totalling 470 between January and March. In the same period last year, there were 291 such accidents. All three regions saw an increase in accidents, with Wallonia seeing the sharpest rise at 95 per cent.
In Flanders, the number of people killed at the scene of an accident increased from 36 to 47, while in Wallonia the figure fell from 32 to 30. Deaths in hospital afterwards are not included in the statistics.
Vias stressed that these figures only cover accidents reported to the police. Many incidents go unrecorded if officers are not called.
To reverse the trend, Vias recommends banning imports of scooters that exceed the legal limit of 25 km/hr, noting that many Chinese models go faster. Police should also be equipped with devices to measure scooter speeds, as is the case in the Netherlands.
The institute calls for helmets to be made compulsory, as 60 per cent of those with serious injuries sustained severe head trauma. Fluorescent vests should be worn as well, Vias argues.
Belgium has already introduced restrictions on e-scooters: they are not allowed be driven on sidewalks and riders must be at least 16 years old. But these measures have not curbed the sharp rise in accidents.
The issue drew particular attention earlier this year when an 11-year-old boy died after a police chase while riding an e-scooter.
© PHOTO JOSEP LAGO / AFP
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