Efforts to regulate shared e-scooters in Brussels have been protracted as city authorities struggle to agree on what measures to take. Last week, the Council of State overturned a decision made by the Brussels-Capital Region at the end of last year to limit the number of e-scooter operators from seven to two.
This aimed to reduce the number of vehicles amid growing public frustration about their nuisance. But a draft decree has now been approved by the regional government to again make way for stricter controls on the scooters.
"Some points needed to be adjusted. That has now been done," Litte Frooninckx, spokesperson for Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen), told The Brussels Times.
In a press statement, Van den Brandt underlined the urgent need for measures to prevent e-scooters from disrupting public spaces and posing a risk to pedestrians and people with reduced mobility.
Legal guerilla
"I admit we were very disappointed when faced with a legal guerilla from the e-scooter operators. There was extensive consultation with them beforehand and they were also in favour of the reform," Van den Brandt said.
But several operators challenged efforts by the Brussels-Capital Government to restrict e-scooter use. After stop-start efforts to tackle the issue, the Council of State issued a ruling suspending certain articles on 25 April 2024.
"We are satisfied that the Council confirmed the legality of parking with drop-off zones and the system of parking controls and charges," said the minister. "This system has already led to a real improvement since 1 February (and in some municipalities even since last summer) with better respect for pavements, even if there is still room for improvement."
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The Council of State also upheld the penalty system, "which allows us to exclude operators who do not comply with the rules. That is a relief."
But the Council of State last week concluded that greater clarity is needed regarding the number of operators operating in the Capital Region and the number of scooters per fleet. This has now been adjusted.
The Council of State also flagged articles about the transfer of data to Brussels Mobility (which have been modified to comply with GDPR rules).
