While the number of occupational accidents has decreased over the past decade, accidents on the way to and from work have increased. In Belgium, more than 10,000 accidents involving ‘soft mobility’ occurred last year on the way to, from, or for work, according to an extensive study by the insurance federation Assuralia.
In five years, the number of work-related accidents involving a form of ‘soft mobility’ – a bicycle, electric bicycle, scooter, e-scooter, or speed pedelec – has increased by 14 percent. In contrast, the number of accidents involving regular bicycles has decreased by 5.4 percent in five years.
This category, which accounted for 34 percent of accidents in 2019, now represents 43 percent of all work-related accidents, Assuralia, the federation of insurers, calculated.
Sixfold increase
The number of accidents involving an electric scooter has increased sixfold: from 208 in 2019 to 1,254 in 2024. Accidents on the way to work involving an electric bicycle rose from 273 to 496, and those involving a speed pedelec rose from 113 to 371.
About three-quarters of victims of a work-related accident involving soft mobility are temporarily disabled. For electric scooters, this figure is even 79 percent.
Speed pedelecs most dangerous
In the case of accidents leading to long-term absence, the e-scooter and the speed pedelec scored the worst. Twelve percent of accidents involving a speed pedelec to and from work lead to a lifelong disability. For victims of an e-scooter accident, this figure is 10%.
Insurers receive the most claims in the autumn and winter months, with a peak in January (12.8% year-on-year) and June (8.9%). There are generally fewer accidents on Wednesdays and Fridays than on other weekdays: Wednesdays and Fridays are often days when people work from home.
Fincancial impact
The financial impact of these accidents is also significant. While the average cost to the insurer in the event of temporary disability is 2,611 euros, in the event of permanent disability, this can rise to as much as 99,046 euros.
That is why Assuralia is launching an awareness campaign, with concrete prevention tips, such as wearing a helmet, choosing a safe route, and avoiding distractions.
“We do not want to discourage anyone from cycling or using a scooter to get to work, but we do call for greater safety on the road,” Assuralia CEO Hein Lannoy says.
“If employers and insurers regularly share prevention tips, employees will be able to complete their journey in even greater numbers and in a safer manner in the future.” The federation also believes that employers should do more for their employees, for example, by providing training on road safety.
Awareness campaign
Assuralia’s awareness campaign is launching during Mobility Week. Several insurance companies will be supporting the campaign to engage as many people as possible—consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs.
With the increasing severity of accidents, the question arises whether stricter measures are necessary, such as a helmet requirement, for example. Studies have shown that 10 percent of accidents involve a head injury. “We can, therefore, only recommend wearing a helmet,” concludes the insurance federation.
