10 times more speed pedelecs, 20 times more accidents | Inland

Over the past five years, the number of speed pedelec accidents in Flanders has risen sharply. In 2017, there were still 15 accidents. Last year there were 391. The number of seriously injured in accidents with electric bicycles that reach up to 45 kilometers per hour rose from 2 to 44 in that period. This is apparent from figures that Flemish MP Annick Lambrecht (Vooruit) requested from the Flemish Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open VLD).

Is that increase a logical consequence of the fact that more speed pedelecs are driving around or is there more to it? Figures from the mobility federation Traxio show that 5,352 speed pedelecs were registered in Flanders in 2017, compared to 51,418 last year. So that’s ten times as many.

Vincent De Wilde of Speed ​​Pedelec Vlaanderen, a network of citizens who stand up for speed pedelec users, wants to know what is hidden behind the figures. He thinks that lease options play a major role, among other things. “You get people on speed pedelecs who have cycled to the bakery on a sunny day at most in the past twenty years. Then you can of course expect more accidents.”

That is why De Wilde argues for a separate driving license for speed pedelecs. Today, a driver’s license is sufficient for the moped or car.

According to Annick Lambrecht, the increase in the number of traffic accidents involving a speed pedelec can only be reduced if the Flemish government takes decisive action. “She must finally ensure that they can all cycle safely on wide, safe and comfortable cycle paths. Moreover, speed pedelecs belong on the street in built-up areas, not on the bicycle path.”