Tag Archive: E-scooter

  1. Shared e-scooters to be banned in Prague

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    Source: The Guardian, TVP World

    In accordance with new transport regulations, electric scooter rentals in the Czech capital will be banned from January 2026. It has been reported that the regulation has been implemented to bring order to Prague’s historic central area, where residents have long complained about parked scooters and reckless riding there.

    The recently announced ban aligns Prague with other European cities that have restricted or banned shared scooters, such as Paris and Madrid, while Finland has limited use to over-15s.

    Regulations targeting public safety and urban mobility

    The city’s deputy mayor for transport, Zdeněk Hřib, described the move as a measure to tackle a source of frustration for many Prague residents. “We are introducing clear rules that will clear public space from uncontrolled scooter traffic, which was often used in the city centre more as a tourist attraction than a means of transport and caused chaos on and in pedestrian zones.”

    Council members approved regulatory changes affecting shared transport, allowing only traditional and electric bicycles to operate under specific parking rules, while excluding shared e-scooters, effectively banning their use in the historic centre. For this decision, Prague officials have also cited the higher accident rates of scooters compared to bikes as they aim to promote safer, more sustainable urban mobility.

    In regards to shared bikes, the city’s transport authority will now only contract with shared bicycle and e-bike operators, who must utilise designated parking spaces and pay a monthly fee for access.

    Stakeholder perspectives

    The ban will be welcome news for Prague residents who have expressed frustration over scooters speeding on pavements and in parks, or being left blocking pedestrian and street areas.

    Since the announcement was made, numerous shared scooter operators have expressed their disappointment in the decision, with one commenting that shared e-scooters can work well in cities where operators maintain “constructive dialogue” with authorities.

    Focus on sustainable urban transport

    The new rules are part of a broader effort to manage the city’s cobblestoned streets, popular tourist areas, and historic center, which attracts over 8 million visitors annually. Officials hope the changes will improve public safety and pedestrian access while encouraging the use of shared bicycles and e-bikes.

  2. Industry-first e-scooter stability test to launch in the UK

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    Source: Zag Daily

    Two leading motorsport engineering figures are spearheading the development of the world’s first formal protocol for measuring the stability of e-scooters, following a new funding award in the United Kingdom.

    Peter Wright, former Technical Director of Formula One’s Team Lotus, and Steffen Kosuch, former Head of Vehicle Dynamics for the Formula 3000 International Championship, have secured over €137,000 from the FIA Foundation to advance their pioneering research. The funding will allow the pair, working in collaboration with UK transport research specialist TRL, to convert their experimental methods into a standardised Test Protocol.

    The 12-month research and development project aims to provide regulators and consumer safety organisations with a robust framework to evaluate e-scooter stability – an area that experts say has, until now, lacked a scientific benchmark.

    Measuring instability

    Over the past year, Wright and Kosuch have been developing a methodology to quantify what Wright calls “the stability of unstable e-scooters,” a metric absent from current academic and industry research. Their approach focuses on two types of instability. The first is “capsize,” where a scooter travelling below a certain speed topples without rider input. The second involves unstable oscillations, often triggered by road irregularities, that force riders to intervene or risk losing control.

    To ensure the scooter itself – not the rider’s corrective actions – is being assessed, Wright and Kosuch devised a process that isolates the vehicle’s behaviour. Drawing inspiration from aeronautics, they adapted techniques used to measure an aircraft’s stability when disturbed from level flight. In their tests, scooters are deliberately destabilised to observe whether they return to balance, diverge further, or enter oscillation.

    “The key is the ability to ride it straight and upright at any speed, long enough to apply the disturbance to the e scooter, and then not to crash. At higher speeds, where these oscillations occur, the rider must be able to not touch the steering long enough to take the data, before taking back control.” Wright explained.

    From method to protocol

    The FIA Foundation’s grant will allow this research to be formalised into a repeatable and reproducible Test Protocol. The protocol will consider a range of design variables – such as wheel size, foot placement, seating, steering dampers, suspension, and even carrying loads like shopping – that may influence stability outcomes.

    Testing will be conducted at TRL’s facilities in the UK, with a potential second phase integrating the protocol into wider safety assessments of e-scooter designs and their role in injury prevention.

    Dr George Beard, Head of New Mobility at TRL, welcomed the project, noting its potential to inform future regulation: “E-scooter stability is a critical factor for ensuring the safety of riders and other road users. In TRL’s recent work for the UK Department for Transport and the European Commission, we assessed existing methods of testing the stability of e-scooters and recommended that future micromobility regulations incorporate a performance-based approach similar to that used by the German eKFV stability tests.”

    With e-scooter adoption growing rapidly across Europe and beyond, the introduction of a standardised stability test could mark a turning point in the sector, offering manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers clearer insight into the safety of these vehicles.

  3. Cross-brand charging network to be implemented across Europe

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    Source: Electrive

    Swedish start-up Standab has generated €3.6 million to fund a public network for charging e-bikes, e-scooters and other light electric vehicles, with its coverage expected to reach 15 European cities within a year.

    The micromobility service provider has developed and patented its Marma charging station, which consists of robust bike stands integrated with charging functions, enabling vehicles to be charged as they are parked. The Marma is described by Standab as being “compatible with more than 85% of existing scooter and e-bike fleets”. Standab has listed vehicle operators as its network partners, which include Dott and Tier, and also said it will cooperate with public transport providers and cities to deploy its Charging-as-a-Service model.

    The latest financing round, of which Standab’s main investors were Spintop Ventures and Almi Invest Greentech, is expected to be used to scale operations for expanding into 15 European cities in the second half of 2026, as well as bolster partnerships with micromobility operators.

    An alternative to battery swap and private charging methods

    Standab’s cross-brand parking and charging network is an alternative solution to the battery-swap approach that’s more commonly used by operators, which involves a transporter collecting and swapping the vehicle’s battery when its power is running low. There are also operators that take the vehicles for charging at private stations. Standab described the downsides of these methods as “inconsistent charging practices [which] have led to operational inefficiencies, high costs, and street clutter”.

    Standab seeks to provide an alternative or complement through automated charging at centralised parking hubs. “In pilots, Standab has shown a 50% reduction in charging costs, 45% higher fleet availability, and up to 55% fewer swap tasks, while cities benefit from decluttered streets and free infrastructure,” the company says.

    Marcus Adolfsson, co-founder and CEO of Standab, emphasizes that the Marma station will be a key charging solution for the micromobility landscape in Europe: “Cities and operators alike are calling for smarter ways to integrate micromobility into the urban landscape. Our universal charging solution solves operational inefficiencies while reducing emissions and creating cleaner streets. With this funding, we can accelerate our roll-out and work towards making Standab the European standard for micromobility charging.”

  4. UK e-scooter sharing schemes remaining in trial stages

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    Source: Zag Daily

    The UK’s All-party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Micromobility met early in September to discuss the status of the rental e-scooter trials. Five years on from the first trial scheme, the UK is now one of the last countries in Europe without permanent e-scooter regulation.

    Speakers at the meeting included MPs and peers from the APPG, plus representatives of shared-mobility operating companies.

    Successes

    More than 30 cities across England have implemented trial schemes, and the trials were extended by the government to May 2028, which Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said “assures users their transport mode for the next three years.” 

    Will Norman, the Walking and Cycling Commissioner for London, reflected on the capital’s trials, stating that 90% of riders comply with the geofenced bays, and that “space is the key currency” for shared micromobility to function effectively. Overall, he said that London’s trial schemes have provided “an opportunity to see what role these scooters might play in London’s mobility mix.”

    Beyond the capital, the meeting heard from Andrew Gant of Oxfordshire County Council, who described the trial as a huge success, with almost a million Voi trips made in the city, and over 1,100 shared scooters and 200 e-bikes in circulation. Voi’s Public Policy Manager, Harry Foskin, stated that 45 million UK Voi trips have been made since 2020; according to rider surveys, 14 million of these replaced car journeys, giving a clear indication of how micromobility can reduce reliance on personal motorised transport.

    Challenges

    The continued lack of clear regulation remains a clear challenge, acknowledged by all stakeholders, from government, local authorities, and operators.

    The government has signaled its intention to create a Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category which would include e-scooters; however no timeline has been set for finalising the new regulations, leaving many stakeholders in a state of limbo, and limiting progress on investment, safety, and decarbonisation of mobility. Shared-mobility charity CoMoUK welcomed the intent for legislation, but urged the wider adoption of “public policies to embed shared e-bikes and e-scooters.”

    The policy team for TIER-Dott said that now being in “year five of what was meant to be a one-year trial” was effectively undermining investment, from both the public and private sector. Harry Foskin of Voi added, “so far we haven’t really scratched the surface because we remain in trial. The genie is out of the bottle with e-scooters, they’re here to stay.”

    Lime’s Public Affairs Manager, Leanne Gaffney-Berkely, highlighted data from Transport for London which shows low e-scooter injury rates, challenging common perceptions. She advised that the sector is being held back in part by the public’s confusion between illegal private scooters, and legal shared-mobility schemes. “The next step must be a proper, long-term legal framework,” she said. 

    Beyond legislation, e-scooter parking remains a key issue. Oxfordshire’s Andrew Gant described how GPS failures had sometimes resulted in a “scooter parking free-for-all,” and suggested that moving of parking bays onto the carriageway could be a solution to managing limited space. He also called for trials to “give the community choices which will benefit them.”

  5. Five Dutch cities call to ban LEVs from cycle lanes

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    Source: Dutch News, NL Times

    The five largest cities in the Netherlands have called for the government to allow them to ban the use of e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric vehicles from cycle lanes, arguing that the varying sizes and speeds of electrically powered vehicles on bike paths present a danger to more vulnerable road users.

    In the message written to the parliament’s infrastructure committee by the aldermen of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven, it is stated, “Bike paths must remain safe for all cyclists, not just the biggest, strongest, and fastest.”

    The cities’ aldermen go on to state that current cycle networks are not equipped to deal with e-scooters – the first of which have now been licensed for use in the Netherlands, not without controversy. The city officials express concerns about e-scooters’ safety compared to standard bikes. “Councils must be able to move some vehicles, such as large cargo bikes, to the roads and ban other electric vehicles, such as the e-scooter, on a local basis,” the statement said.

    The five cities have also called for parliament to halt the approval of new LEVs, and to impose a standard 30 kph speed limit in built-up areas. This, they say, will improve safety and create space to shift faster vehicles from the cycle lanes to the road. 

  6. Helsinki pilots e-scooter parking technology to enhance urban safety

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    Source: Forum Virium

    The Finnish capital city of Helsinki has launched a three-month pilot project to improve the organisation of shared e-scooters, using centimetre-level precise parking technology. The initiative forms part of Forum Virium Helsinki’s ELABORATOR project and is being implemented in partnership with Norwegian technology company Sparkpark AS.

    The rapid growth of e-scooters as a sustainable last-mile transport option has brought noticeable benefits, but it has also raised challenges. Sidewalk clutter, improper parking, and accessibility issues for pedestrians and cyclists remain pressing concerns in urban spaces. Helsinki has already responded to these issues by designating specific parking areas for e-scooters, and this latest pilot seeks to refine these measures further through the application of innovative technology.

    Four districts to test smart parking solutions

    Since mid-August, Sparkpark’s system has been deployed across four districts in central Helsinki: Pasila, Kalasatama, Kallio, and Esplanadi, with approximately twenty sensors being installed near key parking zones, including at Tripla and Redi shopping centers.

    Unlike conventional GPS-based systems, which often struggle in dense urban environments or underground locations, Sparkpark’s patented Bluetooth positioning technology delivers centimetre-level accuracy. This ensures that scooters are placed within their designated zones, even in areas where GPS signals are unreliable.

    Benefits for pedestrians and urban accessibility

    The technology is designed not only to improve operational efficiency but also to enhance urban safety and accessibility. By preventing scooters from spilling beyond capacity in parking areas, the system reduces clutter on sidewalks and cycle paths. This contributes to a safer environment for pedestrians and a more orderly urban landscape overall.

    “Prioritizing the perspective of non-riders by introducing proactive parking solutions – rather than reacting with punitive parking fees for the riders and operators – will be a game-changer for the future of micromobility,” said Sparkpark co-founders Igor Pancevski and Thomas Bråten.

    A step towards smarter, safer mobility

    According to Project Manager Noora Reittu of Forum Virium Helsinki, the pilot highlights the city’s commitment to addressing mobility challenges with forward-looking solutions. “Through this pilot, we aim to assist the City of Helsinki in developing future traffic safety measures. We also seek to test the technology’s functionality in challenging locations, such as areas with a weak GPS signal or other zones where e-scooters accumulate in large numbers,” she explained.

    The project will provide Helsinki with valuable insights into the feasibility of centimetre-precise parking systems in a real-world environment. If successful, the pilot could pave the way for broader adoption of smart parking technologies by improver safe e-scooter usage in other cities across the world.

  7. UK citizens recognise e-scooter benefits but safety concerns remain

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    Source: Ipsos

    Ipsos UK has published a new study revealing British public opinion towards e-scooters. The potential for environmental and cost benefits is well-recognised in the findings, but worries about pedestrian safety are at the fore.

    61% of those surveyed agreed that e-scooters have a negative effect on pedestrian safety, and this view is more marked when splitting into an older demographic (81% in the 55-75 age-group) and a younger demographic (43% in the 16-34 age-group and 61% in the 35-54 age-group).

    39% see e-scooters as positive for the environment, and 40% are positive about the cost of travel associated with e-scooters.

    In the UK, privately-owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle paths and pavements. The study posed questions about the potential legalisation of e-scooters in different scenarios; 48% of respondents were in favour of legalising their use on cycle lanes, but there was strong opposition to their use on pavements (62%) and roads (51%).

    Ben Glanville of Ipsos said: “Our research highlights a complex relationship between the public and e-scooters. While there’s a clear acknowledgement of the potential environmental and economic benefits, safety concerns, particularly regarding pedestrians, remain paramount. This suggests a need for targeted interventions, such as improved infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, to mitigate these risks and unlock the full potential of e-scooters as a sustainable mode of transport.”

  8. Cyprus to tighten e-scooter regulations amid safety and enforcement concerns

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    Source: PHILENEWS

    The Cypriot government is preparing to introduce stricter regulations for electric scooters in response to growing safety concerns and widespread regulatory failures, with a particular focus on the role of e-scooter sharing companies operating across the island.

    E-scooter companies under scrutiny

    E-scooter sharing companies operating in Cyprus are now under increased scrutiny for their role in this unregulated landscape. These companies have been able to expand rapidly, often without adequate coordination with local authorities. As a result, scooters frequently appear in areas without proper infrastructure or oversight, and many exceed the legal speed limits.

    To address this, the government is working closely with stakeholders, including e-scooter rental firms and importers, to draft legislative amendments aimed at improving control and accountability.

    Proposed legislative changes

    • Key proposals currently under consultation include:
    • Mandatory registration by importers to declare whether scooters exceed the 20km/h speed limit.
    • Compulsory insurance coverage for both scooters and users.
    • Inclusion of electric bicycles used for professional purposes under existing personal mobility device (PMD) laws.
    • Introduction of geofencing technology to automatically limit speed or prevent scooters from operating outside designated zones.

    These proposals aim to modernize and strengthen enforcement mechanisms, particularly by leveraging technology to ensure compliance in real time.

    Calls for EU-wide best practices

    The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has supported Cyprus’s push for reform, advocating for mandatory rider training and a ban on e-scooter use on pavements. Geofencing is seen as a vital tool in achieving these goals, by limiting scooter operation to specific areas and ensuring speed compliance.

    Enforcement challenges remain

    Currently, penalties for non-compliance include fines ranging from €50 to €85 for violations such as riding without a helmet, speeding, or using scooters outside designated lanes. However, reportedly, these fines are rarely enforced, further weakening the impact of the legislation.

    To date, Cyprus has recorded two e-scooter-related deaths and several injuries. In 2022 alone, the EU saw 119 fatalities and 5,867 injuries involving PMDs, highlighting the urgency of effective regulation.

    Looking ahead

    As the revised framework is prepared for presentation to Parliament, authorities are urging municipalities and e-scooter companies to take greater responsibility. Effective collaboration between public bodies and private operators will be essential in helping to ensure the safe and sustainable integration of e-scooters into Cyprus’s urban mobility ecosystem.

  9. Finland introduces national e-scooter minimum age and safety measures

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    Source: Helsinki Times

    The Finnish Parliament’s Transport and Communications Committee has proposed new nationwide regulations for electric scooter use, including a minimum age requirement of 15 years. The recommendation is part of a broader micromobility policy framework approved on Friday 16 May.

    The proposed age limit follows a series of accidents involving minors, some resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. If enacted, the rule would apply to both shared and privately owned e-scooters. Electric bicycles would not be subject to the age restriction.

    Previously, local authorities were responsible for setting age limits, but the Constitutional Affairs Committee advised that such measures should be standardised across the country. The Finnish Road Safety Council had recommended the adoption of a national age limit in 2024.

    The draft legislation also introduces a ban on operating e-scooters while intoxicated. A legal blood alcohol content limit of 0.05 percent, mirroring that for motor vehicle drivers, would apply to users of light electric vehicles, including both e-scooters and e-bikes.

    While the use of helmets will not be mandated, the legislation includes a strong recommendation encouraging their use in an effort to reduce head injuries and improve overall safety.

    Additional provisions would require micromobility rental companies to obtain operating permits from individual municipalities. This measure aims to address concerns related to parking practices and congestion on sidewalks in urban areas.

    The proposal will now proceed to the full Parliament for consideration in a plenary session.