“Kukirin is a brand that wants to grow in Europe and therefore sells at heavily reduced prices,” explains owner Tariki Ismael, who walks with a crutch after a scooter accident. Reduced prices, that means 650 to 2,600 euros here. For the highest amount, the buyer will receive the G4 Max, with a top speed of 86 kilometers per hour.
According to the operator, the customers for these products are a cross-section of the population. But during the busy half hour that BRUZZ stays in the shop, almost exclusively young men pass by. “Scooters are indeed the most popular among young people,” says the manager. “Some are only 13 years old and bring their parents to close the sale.”
Accidents
There are no precise figures on the number of private scooters that can go faster than permitted. But both police and sellers have noticed an increase in the fast variant. “Although it remains a bit difficult to determine that top speed today,” explains David Stevens of the traffic police in the Brussels Capital Ixelles zone. “We have to wait for homologated devices to test that speed like the police do with mopeds. In the meantime, we can assess flashes or driving behavior by visual inspection. Drivers who are involved in an accident often admit that they were driving too fast.”
The number of accidents involving too fast e-scooters is also still unclear today, according to inquiries from the road safety institute Vias, which is already testing a speedometer for e-scooters today. But several observers do not immediately notice a higher number of accidents involving fast scooters. “Accidents are mainly seen with shared scooters, of which there are of course many more,” says a Brussels safety source. “Those who own their own vehicle often take better care of it.”
Bad boys
The expert distinguishes two profiles of drivers for these fast variants. “On the one hand, you have sporty drivers who seek adrenaline and take all necessary safety measures. Compare them to people who used to buy a small motorcycle. But there is also a group that has more of an image bad boy cultivates and, for example, drives around without insurance or safety measures. That group might have pushed mopeds a few years ago.”
The latter group in particular poses a risk, the security source says. “These drivers often feel that they have nothing to lose if a police stop threatens. They then flee with all the attendant risks. And you can’t easily overtake such a fast scooter. In addition to the top speed, the acceleration is also exceptionally fast.”
Welcome to the Wild Ride of E-Scooters!
So, listen up! We’ve found ourselves a brand called Kukirin, and apparently, they’re slashing prices like they’re trying to take down an unbeatable sales champion. Owner Tariki Ismael is navigating the slippery waters of business with a crutch after a scooter accident — and you can’t help but wonder if the scooters are fighting back! Prices range from 650 to a staggering 2,600 euros, with the G4 Max hitting a ridiculously fast top speed of 86 kilometers per hour. That’s about as fast as your uncle when he sees a sale on pop socks at the local department store!
Who’s Buying These Speed Demons?
The appeal seems to be a bit like a youth’s right of passage — almost like a digital motorcycle gang, hinting that scooters are in vogue with the young, free, and sometimes a little reckless. Tariki mentions that it’s “a cross-section of the population.” But as BRUZZ discovered during their visit, the shop seemed to be a bit of a boys’ club — not a single middle-aged woman in sight! So, are we just one ‘scooter-mad teenager’ away from a new viral dance challenge? Break out the hashtag!
Buckle Up for a Wild Ride: Accidents and Speed
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room, or should I say the speedy scooter zipping through traffic? The police are scratching their heads about precisely how many private scooters are speeding around like they’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: Brussels Drift. Right now, it’s like trying to catch a shadow — the numbers are vague, but we know they’re out there, getting their adrenaline fix. “Visual inspection” is the name of the game until speedometers become the new must-have accessory for riders. And let’s be honest, with all that adrenaline, who wouldn’t flash their lights like a rapper in a music video?
And speaking of accidents, the road safety institute Vias is racing ahead by developing a speedometer just for e-scooters. However, the current consensus is that shared scooters are the main culprits in any mishaps — it’s all fun and games until someone has to share a vehicle with strangers, right? Those who own their scooter are apparently more like your grandma with a fine china collection — they treat it with care!
The Bad Boys of the Scooter World
Now we dive into the nitty gritty — the drivers of these speedy machines. Think of it as a dichotomy: on one side, you’ve got the adrenaline junkies, the sporty types who wouldn’t dare leave the house without full protective gear, channeling their inner motocross champion. On the other side, there’s the bad boy brigade, zooming around without insurance and safety measures, looking to leave a questionable legacy behind.
According to our security source, it’s those wild daredevils who cause a bit of a ruckus. They’ve got the “I’m faster than you” attitude and feel like the world is their racetrack. If a police car pulls up next to them, they might just see it as an invitation to take part in their very own chase scene. And let’s be real — they’re not just fast in speed; they’re quick off the line like they just heard the ice cream truck jingle.
The Bottom Line
As we navigate this high-speed world of e-scooters, it’s clear we’re cruising into a territory ripe for hilarity, tension, and maybe a few broken bones. While Kukirin might be paving the way for affordable and speedy rides across Europe, it’s essential that potential riders remember their safety gear — and maybe some common sense! Because at the end of the day, riding around like you’re on a rocket-powered Chopper isn’t just about speed: it’s about surviving to tell the tale of your escapades!
So, what are you waiting for? Get your speedometer, strap on your helmet, and embrace the world of e-scooters — just don’t forget to keep an eye out for the bad boys trying to steal your spotlight!
“Kukirin is a brand that aspires to expand its footprint in Europe and consequently offers its products at significantly lowered prices,” reveals owner Tariki Ismael, who maneuvers through the shop with a crutch after suffering a scooter accident. These reduced prices, ranging from 650 to 2,600 euros, are a key strategy for attracting customers. The highest tier, priced at 2,600 euros, grants buyers access to the G4 Max, which boasts an impressive top speed of 86 kilometers per hour, appealing to speed enthusiasts and urban commuters alike.
According to the operator, the clientele for these high-performance scooters represents a broad spectrum of the populace. However, during the busy half-hour that BRUZZ spends in the store, it’s predominantly young men who frequent the aisles. “Scooters are indeed the preferred choice among the youth,” states the manager. “Some customers are as young as 13 years old and come accompanied by their parents to finalize the purchase.”
Accidents
There are currently no precise statistics regarding the number of privately-owned scooters that exceed the legally permitted speed limits. However, both law enforcement and retailers have observed a noticeable rise in these high-speed variants. “Determining an accurate top speed today remains a challenge,” explains David Stevens from the Brussels Capital Ixelles traffic police. “We’re awaiting the approval of standardized devices that would allow us to measure speeds in a manner similar to the testing conducted for mopeds. In the interim, we rely on visual assessments to gauge speed based on flashes or driving behavior. Unfortunately, drivers involved in accidents frequently admit to exceeding the speed limit.”
The incidence of accidents involving overly fast e-scooters also remains ambiguous, as highlighted by inquiries conducted by the road safety institute Vias, which is currently piloting a speedometer designed for e-scooters. Nonetheless, several experts note that they have not observed a significant uptick in incidents related to these high-speed scooters. “Accidents primarily occur with shared scooters, which tend to be far more numerous,” points out a safety source from Brussels. “In contrast, those who own their own scooters typically exercise greater caution.”
Bad boys
Experts classify the users of these speedy scooters into two distinct categories. “On one hand, we have the sporty riders who crave adrenaline and adhere to all necessary safety precautions, akin to individuals who previously opted for small motorcycles. Conversely, there’s a segment that embraces a more rebellious image, often riding without insurance or safety gear—this group might have leaned towards mopeds in years past.”
This latter group presents a particular danger, according to the security source. “These riders often feel unencumbered by the possibility of police intervention. When faced with a stop, they may evade enforcement, leading to reckless behavior. Moreover, overtaking such fast scooters is no simple task, given their remarkable acceleration alongside their top speeds.”
