The number of traffic accidents in Belgium remained approximately the same in the first three months of this year, but what stands out is that the number of accidents in Flanders involving speed pedelecs has increased by 30% compared to the same period last year, from 142 to 184.

In the province of East Flanders, there was even an increase of about 60 percent in the number of accidents involving the fast e-bikes, from 41 to 65. That can, of course, be partly explained by the fact that more and more speed pedelecs are also registered in that province.

High-speed bikes

The figures come from the traffic institute Vias, which warns of the need to provide sufficient training. “Especially when the employer makes such fast bikes available to employees as part of a mobility plan,” Vias says.

Apparently, the rules regarding exactly where speed pedelecs are allowed to ride are not yet equally clear to all road users. This can also lead to confusion and dangerous situations.

E-scooter accidents

Accidents involving electric scooters are also still on the rise. In Flanders, Vias recorded 296 e-scooter accidents in the first three months, compared to 262 in the same period last year. The province of Antwerp tops the list with 165 accidents, an increase of 38%.

According to police figures, 65 people died in traffic in the first three months, a decrease of nearly 10 percent and the lowest level in ten years. The number of injury accidents totaled 8,167, compared to 8,054 last year.

Flanders

In Flanders, the number of fatalities decreased by more than a quarter to 30. However, the number of injury accidents in Flanders increased by 4.2 percent to 5,156.

Vias’ latest traffic barometer indicates that the number of traffic accidents is stagnating, while their severity is decreasing. There is no doubt that the increase in the number of speed cameras plays a role in this positive development.

Jean-Luc Crucke, Federal Minister of Mobility: “The figures show that we must continue our efforts to improve road safety. […] But avoiding accidents starts with responsible behavior in traffic and mutual respect among different road users. Let’s work on it together: All for zero!”