Bolt pauses scooter service in Brussels to avoid New Year's Eve accidents

Electric scooter hire firm Bolt has decided not to make its vehicles available in Brussels on New Year's Eve, as a precautionary measure to avoid accidents.

It will be impossible to find and unlock a Bolt scooter on the mobile app in the city between 18.00 on Friday evening and 7.00 on New Year's morning, the operator has announced.

Bolt said the decision aimed to "save road users from potentially dangerous situations". According to Belgian road safety institute Vias, a third of road accidents on New Year's Eve is linked to alcohol consumption.

Bolt's Belgium country manager, Oualid Benhammadi, added: "New Year's Eve is a fun time for many people. However, the party spirit can sometimes lead to dangerous behaviors, such as irresponsible riding of scooters and, in the worst case scenario, to accidents.

"Our goal is to offer the safest micromobility solution in the cities where we operate. For the safety of our drivers and other road users, we have decided to pause our scooters during New Year's Eve."

Bolt launched in Brussels in July this year, joining about half-a-dozen other shared electric scooter providers including Dott and Bird.