Add Brussels to the list of cities banning rentable e-scooters from its streets, citing a sharp increase in accidents, along with concern about haphazardly parked or abandoned scooters.
Two years ago, the city set up new rules that licensed only two operators, and reduced the number on the streets from 21,000 to 8, 000, but even that has not removed the issues, and the two remaining licenses, which expire at the end of December, will not be renewed.
Regional figures show 666 people injured in scooter accidents last year, a 26% increase over the previous year. Officials say also that the scooters’ design also contributes to the severity of injuries. Compared to bicycles, riders are more likely to suffer head and facial injuries.
The ban does not apply to individually-owned scooters.
