Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Speed pedelecs – like fast electric bicycles that can go up to 45 km/h – are getting more and more popular, which is why the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Science organised a ‘Day of the Speed Pedelec’ for the first time in Park Spoor Noord in Antwerp.
Speed pedelecs—bicycles which can reach up to 45 km/h with the help of an electric motor—are becoming increasingly popular in Flanders, and it’s why the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Science (VSV) has initiated the first-ever “Day of speed-pedelec” in Antwerp’s Park Spoor Noord. The event offered hands-on training to participants to enhance riding mannerisms through a secure practice course, as reported by VRT.
According to the VSV, the increasing popularity of the speed pedelec also leads to more accidents.
“In 2023, there were 682 accidents in which a speed pedelec driver was one of the victims. That is twice as many as 5 years earlier,”
says De Dobbeleer.
“The average severity of those accidents is also slightly higher than in accidents with regular bicycles.”
Participant Danielle has been riding a speed pedelec for 6 years.
“I call it my DAF’ke, because my model only does 38 km/h instead of the legally permitted 45 km/h. There are many differences in power between the different brands. Some people ride a BMW (laughs) .”
“We’re just learning today how to ride our speed pedelec slowly,”
says Danielle.
“Because that way you can avoid obstacles more safely. By the way, I always wear my helmet, because without it I would feel naked.”
“I just don’t understand the point of those advisory signs on cycle paths to drive a maximum of 25 km/h. If you really want to enforce that, then make it mandatory immediately with recognisable traffic signs with a red border. I think the most dangerous thing on the road is cyclists who ride against the traffic.”
Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA) is pleased that Antwerp is the first host city for the ‘Day of the Speedpedelec’.
“The rise of these fast electric bikes is very important to us as a city because it means that many more people are commuting this way. This reduces traffic jams.”
“We do ask that you follow the rhythm of your surroundings as much as possible in the city. Hence, the advisory signs on cycle paths asking you not to drive faster than 25 km/h.”
How did speed Pedelecs emerge, and what are their safety challenges?
The emergence of speed pedelecs solves the problem of the environment by providing a non-polluting solution to a car, reducing congestion, and improving air quality. Some high-performance speed pedelecs were recently brought to the market by Belgian companies such as Saroléa, which is also a sign of increasing interest among consumers.
However, safety challenges remain. Speed pedelecs have a higher speed than traditional bicycles, thereby making accidents more likely and more severe. Their higher speeds call for superior protective gear and easier platforms for high-speed vehicles.
They are still a relatively untested safety option with the debates not resolved on where they are allowed to ride, nor how to regulate their speed against other road users’ safety.
Belgium’s regulatory framework seeks to mitigate these risks through the imposition of helmet use and licensing and road-use rules, and there still needs to be continued study and infrastructure adjustment in order for this measure to be accommodated safely within the flow of traffic.
