The Flemish Road Safety Foundation (VSV) has launched a new online campaign about the safe use of e-scooters. The ‘Slim op de e-step’ campaign (smart on the e-scooter) is primarily aimed at young people (18 to 30) and parents of underage (13 to 18) e-scooter users.

E-scooters have been a common sight on the streets for several years now. However, the traffic regulations for this mode of transport are still poorly understood, leading to risky situations and frustration among other road users. “E-scooter users themselves bear a great responsibility,” says VSV spokesperson Werner De Dobbeleer. “Correct knowledge of traffic rules remains essential.”

25 km/hour limit

Through animations and visuals on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, the organization aims to reemphasize the most essential rules and encourage e-scooter users to drive safely.

The campaign emphasizes, among other things, that e-scooters may be used only by those aged 16 or over, that only one person per scooter is allowed, and that scootering on the sidewalk remains prohibited.

The VSV also urges people to park correctly and to respect the 25 kilometers per hour speed limit. Wearing a helmet is not mandatory but strongly recommended. Studies have shown that many serious injuries in e-scooter users are head injuries.

More accidents

According to the insurance federation Assuralia, a large proportion of e-scooter accidents result in absence from work: 79% of victims are temporarily unable to work.

In the first six months of this year, the number of accidents involving e-scooters in Flanders increased by 52 percent. In the first three months, 470 accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities were recorded, averaging 5 per day.

Last year, Belgian police recorded 1,745 accidents involving e-scooters. In Flanders alone, there were three fatalities involving e-scooters in 2024.