The Brussels regional government has announced plans to discontinue the licensing of certain electric scooters, citing increasing public safety concerns and operational issues. According to Boris Dillies, head of the regional government, the proliferation of these devices has led to numerous disturbances and instances of misuse. Official data from the regional administration indicates that the licenses for major providers, including Bolt and Dott, are set to expire by the end of the year.
A primary concern highlighted by authorities is the elevated rate of accidents involving electric scooters. Last year alone, 666 individuals sustained injuries from these vehicles, representing a 26% increase compared to previous years. Beyond safety statistics, the regional government has noted persistent issues with the placement of the devices.
Many electric scooters are frequently improperly parked, resulting in significant obstructions on both sidewalks and public thoroughfares. Furthermore, authorities have reported that the scooters are sometimes utilized for illicit activities, including use in drug trafficking. These accumulating problems suggest that the current operational model for shared electric scooters is proving problematic for urban management.
The accumulation of safety risks, coupled with the physical obstruction caused by improperly parked units, has prompted the government to review the continued presence of these vehicles. The stated goal is to mitigate the rising number of incidents and restore pedestrian and traffic flow within the city center.
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