LEVA-EU warns that Belgium risks undermining sustainable mobility as well as both innovation and legal certainty by considering new national technical requirements and even a national technical framework for e-scooters. The proposals result from an alleged alarming increase in accidents involving e-scooters.

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Discussions in the Federal Parliament’s Mobility Committee and statements by Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke have suggested the introduction of helmets, yellow vests, number plates, insurance obligations, along with national technical requirements — even up to the possible development of a Belgian approval framework for e-scooters.

LEVA-EU cautions that any national technical requirements would duplicate existing EU law, fragment the internal market, and penalise compliant users and manufacturers instead of tackling one of the real issues first — the sale of illegal, non-conforming vehicles resulting from insufficient market surveillance.

LEVA-EU underlines that the lack of market surveillance is also at the root of problems with electric bicycles, particularly those referred to as “fat bikes.” The term “fat bike” has no legal basis. Legally compliant fat bikes are simply electric bicycles with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power of 250 W.

“A complete European technical framework for both e-scooters and electric bikes (including fat bikes) already exists. The problem is not a lack of rules — it is a lack of enforcement,” said Annick Roetynck, Managing Director of LEVA-EU. “Illegal and unsafe vehicles can already be easily identified and should be removed through effective surveillance. Meanwhile, further research should be conducted into other possible causes of accidents such as infrastructure, rider behaviour, and conflicts with other road users. Taking measures before such research has been carried out amounts to putting the cart before the horse”

The proposal to impose compulsory insurance and number plates on electric bicycles used for rental or professional purposes is, in LEVA-EU’s view, unnecessary, discriminatory, and unworkable. It is practically impossible to distinguish consistently between professional and private use. More importantly, the purpose of such a measure, how it would be enforced, and at what cost, remains unclear. Rather than introducing confusing and unenforceable new obligations, efforts should focus on better implementation of existing EU rules and on effective market surveillance to ensure that only compliant vehicles are sold and used.

Recent research into Belgian road users’ knowledge of the rules governing e-scooters has shown a significant lack of understanding. Many users are unaware of even the basic regulations regarding where, how and by who e-scooters may be used. Moreover, most users do not know the legal technical requirements for e-scooters. As a result, they are unable to distinguish between legal and illegal vehicles and may unintentionally purchase non-compliant or unsafe products. LEVA-EU therefore urges the Belgian authorities to urgently launch information and awareness campaigns to improve both consumers’ understanding of the law and their behaviour in traffic. This is essential for reducing accidents and ensuring safer mobility.

LEVA-EU calls on the Belgian authorities to:
• Strengthen market surveillance to stop illegal and unsafe products at the source.
• Abandon plans for national technical rules or frameworks that contradict EU law.
• Base new measures on evidence and research, not assumptions.
• Inform consumers so they can recognise legal, compliant products and now how to legally use them.
• Support the creation of a harmonised EU Regulation specifically for LEVs.

Belgium has long been regarded as a pioneer in good governance on light electric vehicles, striking a smart balance between European technical legislation and well-designed user rules. LEVA-EU urges Belgium to continue that leadership role — not by creating new national frameworks, but by championing at European level a dedicated European LEV Regulation to be developed in close consultation with the LEV sector to ensure coherent, future-oriented mobility policy.

LEVA-EU has submitted its recommendations for a coherent and future-oriented framework for light electric vehicles to Minister Crucke, Minister Clarinval and to the proposers of legislation concerning electric scooters.

The recommendations are here in 3 languages:

• English
• Dutch
• French