Police lack equipment to measure speed of e-scooters
Belgian police lack the proper equipment to measure the speed of modified e-scooters and e-bikes, a situation complicated by regulatory hurdles from regional and federal authorities, VRT reported on Thursday.
E-scooters have frequently been in the news for the wrong reasons, with an increasing number of accidents, including fatalities, often attributed to excessive speed. Although their legal speed limit is 25 kilometres per hour, models capable of reaching 90 kilometres per hour can be purchased online or from local sellers.
Currently, the police use the same types of rollers that are used for mopeds to check the speed of e-scooters and fatbikes, but these devices are outdated and unsuitable for measuring the speed of vehicles with (electric) front-wheel drive, the police told VRT.
Approval from 4 authorities
The fragmented regulatory landscape also makes manufacturers reluctant to offer new equipment in Belgium. Approval for speed measurement devices, known as curvometers, is required from the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels-Capital regions, as well as the federal government, explained Lien Meurisse from the ministry of Economy. This means that manufacturers must seek approval from four separate authorities.
Similar complications mean that the police also lack access to speed guns or portable radar devices that allow for faster and more objective detection of speeding. Such devices are commonly used in other European countries.
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