Lime, one of the main providers of shared electric scooters in Brussels, has launched a code of good conduct for users, in conjunction with Vias, the institute for road safety.
The arrival of shared scooters in November last year has given rise to complaints from other road users for the sometimes reckless way users ride, and from pedestrians thanks to the habit of some users to abandon their scooters on the pavement without regard to access for others.
To attract signatures for its code of conduct, Lime organised an action near Porte de Namur in Brussels to hand out protective helmets in return, an action that attracted 750 takers.
Accident and emergency departments in the city’s hospitals have reported an increase in the number of cases involving electric scooters – not necessarily those provided by Lime. The A&E department at city centre clinic St-Jean, for example, receives an average of two cases every day of users who discover what appears to be a child’s toy is actually a mode of transport to be taken very seriously.
Accident and emergency departments in the city’s hospitals have reported an increase in the number of cases involving electric scooters – not necessarily those provided by Lime. The A&E department at city centre clinic St-Jean, for example, receives an average of two cases every day of users who discover what appears to be a child’s toy is actually a mode of transport to be taken very seriously.
The code of conduct begins by engaging the user to wear a helmet, and includes other promises, such as respecting the highway code, parking the scooter so as not to inconvenience other pedestrians and not riding on the pavement.
Electric scooters are for the time being only available in Brussels, but competition in the sector is fierce, with five other actors than Lime – Troty, Bird, Dott, Flash and Tier. Lime alone has 1,200 scooters in service, and 125,000 registered users, and is the market leader in the city. The service is about to be launched in Liege shortly.
Alan Hope
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