Beersel – Authorities in Beersel, Belgium, conducted a successful safety enforcement operation on August 27, 2025, resulting in the confiscation of six illegal e-scooters and fines issued to six riders. Police Chief Marc Crispel highlighted growing concerns in the Zenne Valley, alongside previous crackdowns in Brussels and Antwerp, as driving factors for this initiative, reports 24brussels.
During the extensive operation, Mayor Jo Vander Meylen emphasized the urgent need for strict enforcement against non-compliant e-scooters that pose a significant danger on the streets. She expressed her concerns regarding over-inflated scooters and noted the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by some riders.
“We are also seeing more cyclists and scooter riders ignoring traffic lights and running red signals. That is very dangerous for everyone,”
Vander Meylen clarified that the goal is to target irresponsible riders while safeguarding those who comply with the regulations. Any illegal scooters confiscated will be destroyed as part of ongoing safety measures aimed at reducing disturbances for residents.
Measures Against Illegal E-Scooters in Beersel and Zenne Valley
Chief Crispel provided further insights, indicating that 23 scooters had previously been removed in recent weeks in the lead-up to the August operation, where an additional six were taken off the streets in just two hours. Alongside the seizures, police issued six fines to cyclists and moped riders for smartphone use while driving, following calls from Zenne Valley mayors for more stringent enforcement to address residents’ complaints regarding scooters.
Halle’s Mayor Eva Demesmaeker pointed out the necessity of inspections due to several recent accidents. She affirmed the importance of both raising awareness about the rules and enforcing them to prevent future incidents.
Jo Vander Meylen stressed that current legislation surrounding e-scooters remains poorly understood by many users. She remarked on the prevalence of minors receiving e-scooters despite age restrictions, underscoring the need for better public education on regulations.
“You see 10-year-old boys receiving an electric scooter for their birthday, even though they are only allowed to ride one when they are 16,”
Jan Desmeth, the mayor of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, reiterated that some varieties of scooters are banned in Belgium but remain commonly seen. He proposed the idea of organizing a thematic hearing at the police court to address cases of e-scooter offenses comprehensively.
“Perhaps we should also organise a thematic hearing at our police court, where all people who commit offences with an e-scooter are reviewed,”
In Brussels, officials executed a significant crackdown on illegal e-scooters in May 2023, aligning with similar efforts in Antwerp back in September 2022, where numerous non-compliant scooters were removed from busy streets and sidewalks.
