The number of fatal accidents involving electric scooters has risen sharply. This year already, 11 e-scooter riders have been killed in traffic accidents, compared to only 4 in the whole of 2024. On the one hand, this is because more and more people are riding these electric two-wheelers, and on the other hand, they often reach speeds that are far too high, traffic institute Vias says.
It has been clear for some time that the number of accidents involving electric scooters has been on the rise in recent years. This is also the case this year: in the first six months of this year, there were 55 per cent more accidents than in the same period last year.
The increase in the number of fatal accidents is also striking. In 2024, there were four traffic fatalities involving e-scooters, compared to 11 so far this year.
Far too fast
Why is this happening? More and more people are using electric scooters. But there is also the problem of souped-up scooters, explains Stef Willems of Vias.
‘We have witnessed a number of checks when souped-up scooters were found. These e-scooters can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour (the maximum permitted speed is 25 kilometres per hour). These are often devices imported from China,’ he says.