Ronse Partners with Michaux to Address Reckless E-Scooter Use

Ronse (Eurotoday) – Mayor Ignace Michaux of Ronse is tackling the issue of reckless e-scooter use by launching school-based educational campaigns and ramping up police presence, with a strong focus on safety rules such as age limits and sidewalk restrictions.

According to VRT News, in the city of Ronse, located in Belgium’s East Flanders province, rising frustration over unsafe electric scooter practices has prompted local authorities to take decisive action. Mayor Ignace Michaux (CD&V Teamronse) noted that the police have received numerous complaints about users engaging in dangerous, “cowboy-like” behaviour on the streets.

These incidents include speeding, ignoring traffic laws, and riding e-scooters on sidewalks—posing serious risks to pedestrians, especially children and older adults. Mayor Michaux stressed that such behaviour is unacceptable and that immediate steps are being taken to enhance public safety and maintain order in the community.

How is Ronse addressing reckless e-scooter use and ensuring safety?

To combat the issue, the city of Ronse has adopted a two-pronged strategy focused on education and enforcement. Informative flyers will be distributed in schools, while local police will intensify monitoring to ensure compliance with traffic rules.

The educational initiative aims to raise awareness among young users about the safe and legal operation of electric scooters. It will begin with distributing flyers in schools to communicate the importance of observing traffic laws. Meanwhile, law enforcement will increase patrols and conduct checks, particularly around schools during peak hours—before and after class—and throughout the afternoon.

This targeted police presence corresponds with the times and locations where e-scooter usage is most common. Mayor Michaux emphasized that this dual effort—education and enforcement—is intended to promote safer habits, reduce accidents, and ultimately improve safety for all road users in Ronse.

Officials reiterated that the rules governing electric scooters are simple yet essential. Riders must be at least 16 years old and cannot exceed a speed of 25 kilometres per hour. Riding on sidewalks is prohibited, and scooters are strictly for one person—no passengers allowed.

Additionally, scooters must be equipped with functioning lights to ensure visibility in dark conditions. To increase awareness, the city is circulating these guidelines through schools to both students and parents. By combining public education with stricter enforcement, Ronse aims to make its streets and sidewalks safer for everyone.