Tag Archive: E-SCOOTERS

  1. Hungarian association calls for clear e-scooter rules and education

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    Source: Hungarian Conservative

    Hungary’s Jövő Mobilitása Szövetség (Future Mobility Association – FMA) has urgently called for the introduction of regulations for the use of electric scooters in the country, pushing for legal clarity and nationwide education programmes.

    FMA warns that the growing popularity of e-scooters, particularly privately-owned devices, has been accompanied by a rise in scooter-related accidents.

    Industry estimates shared by the association puts the numbers of e-scooters currently in use in Hungary at between 100,000-120,000, with about 10-15% of these being available through shared schemes. Although they have been a common sight since 2018, there is no dedicated legal framework regulating their use.

    FMA has been actively working towards laying foundations for regulation, having first submitted a comprehensive regulatory proposal in 2022, outlining how e-scooters could be incorporated into the country’s transport system. FMA has been an active participant in professional forums discussing modernisation of Hungary’s Highway Code (KRESZ), and contributed to the development of a draft traffic code which includes provisions for micromobility vehicles. It has also joined the Micromobility Working Group of the Institute for Transport Sciences, which aims to accelerate the introduction of a regulatory framework that realistically reflects modern urban transportation.

    In a statement, FMA president András Kárpáti welcomed a recent proposal by Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy to address e-scooter regulation separately from the broader overhaul of the Highway Code. This would enable the speedier introduction of long-overdue rules, without waiting for the completion of wider traffic reforms.

    Kárpáti also emphasised that regulation needs to be accompanied by education and public awareness initiatives, which would promote responsible riding behaviour and a better understanding of traffic rules.

    FMA already operates various educational programmes on the theme of e-scooter safety, in schools, at open days and at the WEMOVE Mobility Park in Budapest. They have also shared that a new scooter safety curriculum is nearing completion, validated by the Institute for Transport Sciences. It will target a wide age range, from kindergarten to secondary school students nearing graduation.

  2. Shared e-scooter users in England rise 55% in a year

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    Source: Zag Daily

    A report by the UK’s charity for shared transport, CoMoUK, has revealed that the number of shared e-scooter users in England increased by 55% in the period from October 2024 to September 2025 to 1.5 million, and that 16.7 million trips were made.

    The figures are presented in CoMoUK’S Annual Shared Micromobility Report UK 2025, with data coming from a CoMoUK survey of 3,068 active users, and operators of shared mobility schemes in the UK. Over the course of numerous shared e-scooter trials since July 2020 in England, over 3.5 million users and almost 72 million trips have been recorded.

    Although bike share schemes are more widely available in the UK beyond the England-only e-scooter schemes, the number of active users fell 12% year-on-year to 2.7 million, although this number is more than four times than recorded in 2019. The number of shared bike users in the survey sample amount to 2,602 and e-scooter users to 1,543, with a total of 1,077 using both modes. This represents a growth of users using both modes of transport from 30% in 2024 to 35% in 2025, suggesting that more shared bike users now also use shared e-scooters, according to CoMoUK CEO Richard Dilks.

    E-scooters favoured by lower-income users

    Shared scooters are used more frequently and by a higher proportion of people in lower income bands, the report shows.

    Just over half of users have an annual income of up to £30,000 (€34,746), while users with an income of over £50,000 (€57,910) amount to 25%. The median income of shared scooter users is £29,500 (€34,167) compared to a UK average for full-time employees of £39,039 (€45,215).

    Of e-scooter users in the three lowest income brackets, between 57% and 63% use the service at least once a week, which compares to only 29% in the highest income group.

    Richard Dilks highlights that, as the UK government moves towards national legislation for e-scooters, there should be a focus on boosting both the physical and financial accessibility of shared e-scooters. Over a quarter of shared scooter trips directly replace car journeys, and 40% of users say they now drive less often; the report estimates that each user reduces their car mileage by around 245 miles (394 km) per year.

    Dilks says, “There is currently no subsidy on offer for shared e-scooter schemes with operators instead being asked to pay fees to local authorities. It is therefore inevitable that these schemes focus on commercial viability.”

    Filling public transport gaps

    Almost 40% of users of shared bikes and scooters said they allow access to places not served by public transport. Dilks emphasised that shared mobility and public transport sysems are “highly complementary, particularly across a person’s overall lifestyle and often within one journey.”

    Dilks also described how shared schemes can effectively serve more tangential routes between suburban areas, in contrast to public transport routes that more often radiate out from city centres. Shared mobility schemes are also widely used at times when public transport is not available or may be overcrowded.

  3. National rules for e-scooters tightened in Greece and Cyprus

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    Source: ETSC

    Greece and Cyprus have recently introduced stricter regulations around the use of e-scooters, with both countries setting minimum age limits, alongside a variety of technical stipulations, and directives regarding shared-use scooters.

    In Cyprus, two amendments were introduced in May to the 2018 Regulation of Bicycles and other Personal Mobility Devices Law. Newly introduced factors include a minimum age of 17, provisions about where e-scooters may be ridden, and technical standards that must be met. The power of enforcement authorities to seize devices in case of law breaches have been outlined, as well as the powers of municipal and community authorities to set local rules, and rules around the operation of rental companies for shared-use schemes.

    In Greece, the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, announced that an upcoming bill will introduce a total ban on minors using e-scooters. In addition, all e-scooters must be fitted with speed limiters, require mandatory insurance and special identification markings, and will not be allowed to use high-speed roads. Regarding shared-use schemes, municipalities will now be empowered to set maximum fleet sizes.

    The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has pointed out that although a European Commission study on regulatory options for personal mobility devices (including e-scooters) was published in November 2024, no legislation has yet been introduced, though a review published in February 2026 promised further action. ETSC has called for mandatory EU safety standards, and points out that the patchwork of different rules across the EU is confusing for users, and has left safety standards inconsistent.

  4. The shared micromobility Build vs Buy debate

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    Source: Zag Daily

    The shared mobility landscape is evolving, and operators’ strategies differ in regard to their business models. Some favour a vertically integrated business, with proprietary assets including hardware, software, and an operational model, while others prefer to outsource to specialist partners. Zag Daily and Urban Sharing hosted a Build vs Buy debate during Micromobility Europe to explore the topic.

    The panel featured representatives of three companies in the shared mobility operating sector. Forest COO Will Jansen, represented a vertically integrated approach, with proprietary backend technology and an adtech ecosystem, alongside close hardware partnership. Christoffer Bakken Åkre is Senior Urban Planner at Bauer Media Outdoor, which operates shared bike systems as part of a larger infrastructure and advertising ecosystem, and works with best-in-class partners. Timo Buetefisch, Founder and CEO of Cooltra, represented a position between the two, with some capabilities owned by the company, and others outsourced.

    Benefits of a hybrid approach

    A consensus emerged that the most successful operators in the sector are currently practising or moving towards a hybrid strategy. Buetefisch emphasised that individual factors of geography, scale and business segment should inform decisions about ownership, pointing to his company’s strengths: “For us, we develop everything around customer retention, loyalty, bonus systems and dynamic pricing in-house because we think that’s where innovation matters.” Other concerns such as specific software are outsourced to expert providers.

    Jansen acknowledged that total vertical integration is not often a realistic scenario, stating, “If you need to scale quickly into new countries and cities, there will always be requirements you haven’t built for yet. Hybrid is probably the winner in that respect.”

    Bakken Åkre spoke from a point of view of a company which largely relies on external suppliers, highlighting that success depends on careful selection of collaborative partners.

    Advantage of bespoke software

    Jansen highlighted the key benefits of having developed proprietary customer-facing technology and operational tools, stating that, “there are key areas where it’s really important to retain control, particularly where the customer feels the impact.” This avoids the potential limitations of off-the-shelf platforms which are designed to serve multiple mobility sectors at the same time.

    The viewpoint of cities

    The panel agreed that cities generally are less interested in the operator’s business model, and instead are focused on the quality of service they can deliver. Cities’ key concerns are stability, safety, reliability, operational performance, and long-term sustainability. Buetefisch highlighted a changing perception, where cities are starting to view micromobility as a mode of transport to integrate with existing networks. “I think city councils have understood that micromobility is really a public transport category. I see a real shift there.”

    Diversification for stability

    The discussion addressed the suitability of different business models during market downturns, with the panellists advising the spreading of risk in various ways.

    Bakken Åkre views bike sharing as part of the company’s broader infrastructure business, which includes generating revenue through advertising contracts and other public infrastructure projects.

    Buetefisch described how Cooltra operates across a mix of consumer sharing, fleet management, and public bike share contracts, providing something of a buffer zone during fluctuations. “When Covid hit, our free-floating business was totally down but delivery and e-commerce went up a lot.”

    Jansen emphasised that business resilience can come from choosing which assets not to own, pointing to Forest’s outsourcing of most of its operational workforce through trusted partners, enabling more efficient management of staffing levels. “If you’ve got everything in-house, you’re loading yourself up with fixed costs that you can’t easily scale down with demand.”

  5. Europe’s micromobility market exceeds expectations at $70bn

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    Source: Zag Daily

    Global consultancy firm McKinsey has estimated the micromobility market in Europe to have reached $70 billion in 2025, outpacing an earlier forecast that predicted it would reach $60 billion by 2025. McKinsey describes this as a shift from rapid expansion, to long-term maturation.

    The figure includes both shared and private micromobility revenues across Europe, with vehicle sales and downstream services both represented.

    Speaking ahead of the Micromobility Europe event that took place in Berlin on 2-3 June, Darius Scurtu, Expert within the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility, said, “When we built our first proper market model in 2022, the European micromobility market was worth roughly $50 billion. At the time, we expected it to reach around $60 billion by 2025. In fact, it grew to around $70 billion.”

    The pace of growth is starting to normalise following a steep rise in the post-pandemic period, though Scurtu says that, “You are talking about growth rates of six, seven or eight percent per year, which is still strong growth.”

    Growth factors

    The strong performance is partly attributed to a faster recovery of travel patterns following pandemic-related restrictions, and to long-lasting policy changes which were introduced during the pandemic.

    “Many cities that implemented pop-up bicycle lanes kept these measures in place. That was an important factor behind the faster development of the market.” Scurtu adds.

    The data presented by McKinsey reveals some significant examples of cities that have seen large micromobility usage increases in the last five years, with 14 of the 20 largest cities in the EU seeing big uptake. Between 2020 and 2025, Barcelona added 18 million trips on its Bicing system, and between 2020 and 2024 both Paris and Madrid saw large increases in their shared mobility systems, with 12 million and 10 million trips respectively.

    There is a noticeable shift from occasional leisure use to everyday transport. A McKinsey consumer survey reported commuting as one of the most common shared micromobility uses, as well as shopping and other routine errands. Operators’ data also supports this, with LEVA-EU member Lime saying that over half of London trips in key months take place during the peak commuter hours, and Dott finding that 65% of trips are for commuting purposes.

    Infrastructure and financial constraints

    McKinsey’s consumer research also indicates that many riders view existing infrastructure as inadequate, representing a barrier to greater adoption. 49% of owners of e-bikes and bikes said that improved cycling infrastructure would encourage them to ride more frequently, and 32% feel unsafe riding in current infrastructure conditions.

    Scurtu says, “We are entering a phase where it is less about whether micromobility will scale and more about how to make it a better mode of transport. People need an alternative that is flexible, available and affordable. Pushing people away from private cars alone is not enough.”

    Affordability is another concern; of shared micromobility users who only ride occasionally, 27% said that high prices are a key reason for not using services more often, with safety concerns close behind at 24%.

    McKinsey outline five key ares set to design the next phase of the micromobility sector’s development:

    • Affordability
    • Reliability and quality
    • Safety
    • Integration with public services
    • Improved suitability for everyday use

  6. Insights from ATOM Connect 2026 – key trends shaping the shared micromobility industry

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    Source: Future Transport News

    At the recent ATOM Connect 2026 event in Riga, key players in shared micromobility gathered to discuss the sector’s direction, and explore what will define operational success in the future. Discussion topics included regulations, subscription models, and the nature of the industry’s growth, with in-depth insights shared.

    A clear theme emerged throughout the event – that the shared mobility industry is entering a different phase, where growth is still taking place but with new parameters for success.

    E-bikes are taking an increasingly integral role

    After years of domination by e-scooters, research presented by business consultants Frost & Sullivan suggests that e-bikes are becoming the preferred mode in several markets, with stronger unit economics, lower regulatory friction, and a shift in rider behaviour.

    Although e-bikes have higher unit costs, their gross profit per unit and average lifespan are superior to e-scooters:

    • Average lifetime gross profit per shared scooter: ~$2,073
    • Average lifetime gross profit per shared e-bike: ~$4,336
    • Average scooter lifespan: ~3 years
    • Average e-bike lifespan: ~4 years

    Cities are increasingly supporting bike-focused mobility systems, and they are becoming viewed by riders as part of the everyday commuting choice, rather than just fun transportation.

    Growth despite stable fleet sizes

    Europe’s shared mobility market is seeing continued growth, though fleet sizes have remained relatively stable. This indicates greater efficiency, where operators can generate more value from existing fleets. This is enabled by:

    • Better utilisation of existing fleets
    • Increased rider adoption
    • Improved retention
    • Subscription models

    Subscription models’ importance

    The market is shifting away from per-ride revenue to models with a strong subscription element – a trend which was highlighted both by Frost & Sullivan, and by operators during discussions. Subscription model advantages include:

    • Higher retention
    • Predictable recurring revenue
    • Lower customer acquisition pressure
    • Better ride frequency

    The role of regulation

    Regulation has become one of the key factors to influence operator success, with different cities adopting diverse approaches. Positive examples included the doubling of Oslo’s scooter capacity, and the Netherlands approving road-legal e-scooters. Negative examples included the ban in Prague of shared scooters, and tightening compliance requirements in Italy.

    From cities’ point of view, the requirements are for fewer operators, greater accountability, and stronger compliance. Operators that can provide the operational quality, data transparency, safety records and compliance assurance are more likely to succeed.

    AI as an operational tool

    Operators are now increasingly using AI in daily operations, including:

    • Demand forecasting
    • Rebalancing optimisation
    • Predictive maintenance
    • Safety monitoring
    • Fraud detection
    • Dynamic insurance pricing
    • Battery optimisation

    Signifiers of success

    One Frost & Sullivan slide summarised the key success factors for operators: “The operators still standing in 2026 didn’t win on product – they won on discipline, selectivity, and city relationships.”

    Drawing on operators’ stories and research results, the key common patterns were:

    • Lean and efficient operations
    • Strategic market selection
    • Diversified revenue streams
    • Strong partnerships
    • Data-driven decisions
    • Safety and compliance focus

  7. Calgary operators fund free e-scooter and e-bike trips

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    Source: Smart Cities World Image source: Kyler Nixon, Unsplash

    Travellers in the Canadian city of Calgary can enjoy free 10-minute trips on shared e-scooter and e-bike trips from select Calgary Transit stations, after the awarding of new five-year permits for micromobility schemes.

    The programme follows a 2023 pilot of a similar scheme, conducted over a four-month period and based at three light rail transit (LRT) stations.

    Operators Bird Canada and Neuron will between them operate the scheme from eight LRT stations, where dedicated parking spaces for the shared devices have been established to minimise clutter and enable easy pick-up and drop-off by transit customers. Both operators require end-of-trip photos to be submitted, to ensure ramps and sidewalks are not blocked.

    Andrew Sedor, the City of Calgary mobility initiatives leader, said, “The pilot customer survey data suggested that more than 70% of users reported that having free e-scooters and e-bikes at the station increased their use of Calgary Transit, and that it saved time and increased the convenience of using transit.”

    “We learned from the pilot that customers needed dedicated spaces at the stations to pick up and drop off the devices. We want to avoid any e-bikes or e-scooters blocking pedestrian paths or transit operations.”

    Riders will use the operators’ apps to access the free 10-minute trips, and after the free segment of a longer trip, regular fees will apply.

  8. UK e-scooter sector faces continued legislation uncertainty

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    Sources: Zag Daily, Fleet World

    Hopes that the King’s Speech on May 13 would open the door to the introduction of UK legislation for e-scooters were dashed, when no mention of the micromobility mode was made. Private use of e-scooters remains illegal on public roads, while shared-use trials in various cities have seen a fifth round of extensions, leaving operators and shared-mobility activists frustrated.

    There had been indications in August 2024 that the UK government would introduce a Low-Speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category which would include e-scooters, but the topic was not addressed in the King’s Speech, which is a part of the State Opening of Parliament and outlines the government’s policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary session.

    An initial shared e-scooter trial began in July 2020, and has been extended for the fifth time until May 2028. A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said, “We are taking a careful, evidence-led approach – with our national trial and international regulation assessments due later this year. We will also consult on detailed e-scooter regulation proposals over the next year and look to legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows.”

    The multiple trial extensions since 2020 have been given to allow time for evidence gathering and analysis, with the latest extension introducing the possibility for new towns and cities to become part of the trial if they can offer a “new feature” or “unique local characteristic”.

    Alice Pleasant, Senior Public Affairs Manager at LEVA-EU member Lime, commented that the various e-scooter trials have “already demonstrated” public demand. “There needs to be standardised regulation so that operators, local authorities and riders alike can reap the benefits of e-scooters while ensuring they are safe, accessible and well integrated into the wider transport network.”

    Shared transport charity CoMoUK had urged the government to include e-scooter legislation in the King’s Speech in an open letter, and its Chief Executive, Richard Dilks, said the omission was “deeply frustrating”, continuing, “The UK remains the only country in Europe that has not yet legalised them and these continuing delays directly contradict the government’s own goals for integrated transport.

    “As well as denying people access to flexible, affordable, low-carbon transport, this inaction means we cannot implement the new technical specifications and safety standards that are so desperately needed.

    “Furthermore, we are left without a mechanism to resolve the problems caused by entirely unregulated, privately-owned e-scooters being ridden illegally.

    “The public, local authorities and operators desperately need clarity and direction. We urge the Government to rethink its timeline and bring forward this vital legislation.”

    For shared-mobility operators, ongoing uncertainty creates a problematic investment environment, while the government has acknowledged, in its Road Safety Strategy, that the issue of private e-scooters and their illegal use on public roads has been “left unaddressed for too long.”

  9. UK Government urged to include e-scooter legislation in King’s Speech

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    Sources: Air Quality News, TransportXtra

    Ahead of the UK State Opening of Parliament and the 2026 King’s Speech on 13 May, shared mobility charity CoMoUK has delivered an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging the legalisation of e-scooters after years in which trial schemes have been the only legal way to use them in public.

    The UK stands out as the only European country which has yet to legalise e-scooters, a series of shared-use trial schemes have taken place since 2020, and the government has repeatedly given a commitment to addressing legalisation “when parliamentary time allows”. The CoMoUK letter – which is signed by various shared-mobility operators including LEVA-EU member Lime, local council representatives, and environmental charities and campaign groups – calls for urgent legislation for the creation of a new powered light vehicle class, covering e-scooters and other light e-mobility options.

    The letter states, “The current delay, despite commitments to legislate when parliamentary time allows, is having a significant adverse impact on investment and is limiting the flexible, affordable, low-carbon travel options available to people in the UK. The opportunity must be taken in the King’s Speech to include this legislation in the programme for the new Parliamentary session.”

    Legalisation would set standard technical and safety requirements for e-scooters, and would also help address problems caused by the use of unregulated private devices which are being ridden illegally. It would also allow shared-mobility operators and local authorities to plan investment, and would help the UK meet net-zero and air quality targets.

    Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “The UK stands alone in Europe by failing to legalise e-scooters, and these continuing delays directly contradict the government’s own goals for integrated transport. We know from the trials that shared e-scooters are a key part of the system in the areas where they operate, with 44 per cent of users combining rides with public transport. There is a huge opportunity for integration with local bus services and Great British Railways, but this potential simply cannot be realised under current legislation.”