Unfortunately, the explosive growth in the use of e-scooters in Brussels also led to an increase in the number of accidents involving this means of transport. Remembering the rules is therefore necessary, especially now that the nice weather is coming.
The beginning of spring is a difficult time for scooter accidents, especially since their use has exploded in Brussels. Between the spring of 2021 and that of 2022, the number of scooter accidents tripled. Brussels Mobility wants to reverse this trend with an awareness-raising campaign with tips “Get your scooter certificate”.
Since July 1, 2022, new traffic rules apply to e-steps. Its users are considered cyclists and must therefore use the bicycle facilities and the roadway. Stepping on the sidewalk is no longer allowed! Unfortunately, the explosive growth in the use of e-scooters in Brussels also led to an increase in the number of accidents involving this means of transport. Remembering the rules is therefore necessary, especially now that the nice weather is coming.
"When used correctly, scooters are a very practical alternative for getting around the city. Proper use means safe, in the right place and with respect for other road users and the traffic rules. We are currently providing drop-off zones everywhere in Brussels and launch a campaign to improve coexistence between steppers and other means of transport."
The accident figures
Accident figures in the Brussels-Capital Region have risen continuously in recent years. Spring and summer are the most difficult period: in the second quarter of 2022, there were 271 accidents involving a scooter, three times as many as the 90 accidents in the second quarter of 2021. Of course, the explosive increase in both the number of e-scooters in traffic (of which currently 23.000 partial scooters) and the number of trips with this means of transport.
In June 2022, Brussels had a peak of 1,5 million rented shared scooters, in 2021 this was only 100.000 per month. Some of those accidents are also a direct result of risky behaviour: 8% of scooter riders involved in an accident tested positive for alcohol. Get your scooter license! E-scooter users are vulnerable, especially when they collide with motorized road users.
The Brussels-Capital Region is aiming for zero deaths and serious injuries by 2030, as set out in the Road Safety Action Plan. In this context, Brussels Mobility is starting this week with an awareness campaign reminding users of this new means of transport of a few simple rules:
- stopping at a red light;
- bicycle facilities or use the roadway and do not ride on the sidewalk;
- do not scoot after using drugs or alcohol;
- do not criss-cross through the other traffic streams.
It says on the website scooter certificate a quiz to test your knowledge. The quiz will also be available for two weeks on the home page of the app of the various sharing scooter providers. If you answer 5 questions correctly, you will receive a 'step certificate' that entitles you to a discount code for your next ride. In addition to the online quiz and poster, Brussels Mobility also visits busy places to make local people aware of the risks.
Various influencers are also enlisted to spread the campaign's core messages through social media such as Tik Tok to reach young users such as Mehdi Amri @mehdi_amri_10. During the campaign, the police zones will also pay special attention to violations and risky behavior on the scooter. The fines can add up quickly: driving on the sidewalk is a first-degree violation (€68) and running a red light is a third-degree violation (€184).
