About 80% of accidents involving bicycles or motorcycles take place between April and September, according to the Walloon Agency for Road Safety (AWSR). To promote good reflexes and practices to improve road safety, the agency is launching an awareness campaign.
In 8 in 10 cases, two-wheeled collisions involve a car or other larger vehicle, an AWSR spokesperson told The Brussels Times. And the agency has observed an increase in accidents involving at least one motorcycle, numbering 381 in Brussels in 2021: a 7,6% increase on the previous year.
Meanwhile, cyclists are the hardest hit with 1,009 accidents involving at least one cyclist in Brussels in 2021. 227 accidents involved mopeds.
More cyclists
As spring approaches, more people opt for bicycles, mopeds and motorbikes. Cycling enthusiasts are often younger and many of them children and teenagers. This goes some way in explaining the rise in incidents during the warmer months. Nearly one in 10 minor road victims is a cyclist, while the proportion is only one in 20 for adults, the AWSR cautions.
In general, accidents involving two-wheelers in Belgium have increased over the past year. In 2021 it amounted to 3,578, a nearly 30% increase from the 2,769 accidents in 2020.
The large majority of two-wheeled accidents happen in Flanders (78%), which also has the highest proportion of cyclists, motorbikers and moped users; 11% take place in Brussels and another 11% in Wallonia.
Fatalities
None of the cycling accidents recorded in 2021 were fatal in Brussels; in Flanders, 12 people died; four died in Wallonia.
To improve road safety, especially in the months between April and October, the AWSR has launched an awareness campaign for all road users. Roadside posters and social media posts urge drivers to be aware and drive carefully.
In particular, drivers are reminded to keep a safe distance and clearly indicate before changing lanes or direction. Another threat to cyclists is cars opening doors without checking for two-wheelers approaching from behind.
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Those riding mopeds and bicycles are strongly advised to wear a helmet – even when not mandatory. AWSR reports that this reduces the chance of serious injury by 65%. These road users should also be aware of the blind spots of larger vehicles.
Visibility is also essential: wearing light or reflective colours reduces the risk of accidents by 20%, the agency said. This is especially true in winter when slippery roads and darker days also lead to accidents.
Last year, 10,000 visibility kits were handed out free of charge, including bike lights and reflective vests, to encourage pedestrians and cyclists to be more visible.
