Owners of electric scooters with a maximum design speed of more than 20 km/h must wear an approved helmet. The exception applies to rental scooters that are electronically limited to 20 km/h. The measure, which entered into force on September 1, 2026, aims to reduce serious head injuries, given that 60% of serious accidents involve head injuries.

(Staff: Belgium / Mobility & Safety)

As of September 1, 2026, all electric scooter users whose maximum design speed exceeds 20 kilometres per hour are required to wear an approved helmet throughout Belgium. The new regulation, introduced by a Royal Decree of the Federal Ministry of Mobility, is based not on the actual travelling speed but on the maximum speed the scooter can reach according to the manufacturer’s technical specifications.

Who is covered by the rule and who is not?

The obligation mainly concerns privately owned scooters designed to reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, the maximum legal limit in Belgium. Anyone using a scooter with a maximum design speed between 20 and 25 km/h must therefore wear a helmet. The helmet may be a motorcycle helmet or a bicycle helmet that protects the temples and the back of the head.

Exception: rental scooters

Shared rental scooters are exempt from the obligation, provided that their operators have electronically limited their maximum speed to 20 km/h. This exception was introduced to avoid discouraging users from choosing this form of transport instead of a car for short journeys.

Why was this measure introduced?

Accident statistics prompted the authorities to intervene. According to the road-safety institute Vias, 60% of serious accidents involving electric scooters result in head injuries. The data show that the risk of injury increases with speed, while brain injuries are common in serious accidents. In addition, in a single year, the number of injury accidents rose from 1,735 to 2,453, while the number of deaths increased from 4 to 13.

Reaction from specialists

Although the measure has been welcomed by road-safety organisations, Vias regrets that it does not apply to all scooters, including rental scooters. “If you ride a shared scooter at 18 km/h and fall, you can also suffer a serious head injury,” a spokesperson said. Specialists also point out that scooters modified to exceed 25 km/h must be removed from circulation.

Conclusion

The new rule marks an important step towards improving the safety of electric scooter users. Owners should check the maximum design speed of their vehicles and equip themselves appropriately, both to reduce the risk of serious accidents and to avoid possible fines.