The number of accidents resulting in injuries while commuting to or from work using soft mobility increased by more than 9% last year. This is according to a study by the industry association Assuralia.
Infrastructure is a contributing factor to this upward trend, which has been underway for several years, but the main explanation is primarily the rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles uses and the increase in speed pedelecs and e-scooters.
Based on data from its member workers’ compensation insurers, Assuralia estimates that there will be 119,280 workplace accidents for the year 2025, of which 93,770 will have occured at the workplace and 25,510 on the way to or from work.
11,000+
In 2024, there were 10,553 work-related accidents involving soft mobility. According to Assuralia, the estimate for 2025 already stands at 11,534 work-related accidents involving soft mobility, representing a 9,3% increase year-over-year and a 29% increase over six years.
Assuralia attributes this significant increase in accident statistics to the growing popularity of “new forms of soft mobility”, such as e-scooters, e-bikes, and speed pedelecs. For example, the number of work-related accidents involving e-scooters rose from 208 in 2019 to 1,460 in 2025, accounting for 5,3% of all work-related accidents last year. E-bikes (from 273 to 626) and speed pedelecs (from 113 to 469) also show a clear increase.
Severe consequences
In three-quarters of work-related accidents, the accident results in temporary disability. About very serious accidents resulting in permanent disability, Assuralia observes a proportionally higher number of accidents involving speed bikes (11%) and e-scooters (9%).
“In other words: about one in ten victims of a work-related accident involving a speed pedelec or an e-scooter will suffer lifelong consequences,” according to Assuralia.
The consequences of such an accident can be severe. According to Assuralia, following a work-related accident involving an e-scooter, 80% of employees are temporarily unable to work, and 9% are even permanently disabled. An accident involving a speed pedelec results in permanent disability for 11% of those involved.
The trade association therefore aims to raise awareness of traffic safety among employees and employers and, together with Minister of Labor David Clarinval (MR), is launching an awareness campaign on social media during Mobilty Week, which takes place from September 16 through 22.
The average cost to the insurer for a work-related traffic accident is 2,715 euros in the case of temporary disability and 101,611 euros in the case of permanent disability.
Car accidents till the largest single category
The media and insurers are now focusing specifically on soft mobility because it is the “new” and fastest-changing risk category.
Despite the rise in cycling and e-scooter use, the majority of commuting kilometers are still by car. However, the share of car accidents in the total number of work-related traffic accidents is steadily declining, simply because the number of accidents involving non-motorized transportation is growing so rapidly.
In 2023, 39% of all commuting accidents were car accidents, still the largest single category.
The Vias Safety Institute also estimates that teleworking prevented some 1,600 accidents on Belgian roads in 2023.
To be clear: Assuralia emphasizes that it does not want to discourage anyone from commuting to work by bike or e-scooter. The goal is not to reduce soft mobility, but to make it safer (high-visibility clothing, lights, helmets)
Moreover, employers get something in return: healthier employees, fewer chronic illnesses, and less absenteeism due to, for example, burnout, cardiovascular disease, or health problems – a benefit that goes far beyond simply preventing accidents.
