Londerzeel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The boy, who was 15, was killed in the accident in Londerzeel on Monday. The Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office reported. Still unclear as to what happened, he was riding an electric bicycle.
Londerzeel – On Monday, the electric bicycle of a 15-year-old boy caused an accident, leading to his death. The precise circumstances of the collision are under investigation, but the Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office confirmed the fatality. It also included a car, though no details about who was at fault or what might have contributed to the crash have otherwise been released.
The accident happened on Monday just after 6 p.m. The 15-year-old boy was riding on the cycle path of the Kouterbaan towards Malderen.
“The 40-year-old driver of a passenger car was riding on the road in the same direction,”
explains spokeswoman Ingrid Moriau of the Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office.
“The vehicle wanted to drive straight ahead at the intersection with Herbodin while the cyclist wanted to turn left. The cyclist hit the right side of the car and then fell.”
How common are fatal bicycle accidents involving e-bikes in Belgium?
In Belgium, there has been a recent increase in fatal accidents on bicycles, especially with the new generation of bicycles known as e-bikes. The analysis of biker accidents by the Belgian Road Safety Institute (VIAS) has said that there has been a rise of 60% in e-bike accidents in the last 5 years, and the riders most affected are the young ones.
Only 43 cyclists aged less than 18 years were killed in traffic incidents in 2022, an increase of 15 % from the previous year. Flanders, where Londerzeel is, has a share of 70% of the total cycling fatalities in Belgium.
Juveniles have embraced the usage of electric bicycles, which can move at a maximum speed of 25 km/h or 45 km/h for speed pedestrians. Although they enable train speeds and operating personnel to exert less effort than before, safety has been an issue of concern.
According to the VIAS,approximately 30% of electric bike fatalities are due to accidents with cars and most of the accidents occur at the junctions. In Belgium, there are new laws: wearing a helmet for the riders of speed pedelec and increased controls; nevertheless, there is still controversy about further preventing means, for instance an age limit or e-bike driving license.
