Survey reveals majority of Berliners support e-scooter ban
Comments Off on Survey reveals majority of Berliners support e-scooter banSource: Berlino Magazine
The University for Sustainable Development Eberswalde (HNEE) has revealed that 58% of its survey respondents favour a complete e-scooter ban, with over 80% expressing the need for tighter rules, particularly for parking and road safety.
The findings highlight growing public dissatisfaction with the impact of e-scooters on urban mobility, particularly in relation to improper parking and safety hazards. While older citizens are the most critical of e-scooters, younger individuals, particularly those aged 18 to 20, are less inclined to support a ban, with only 19% in favor of prohibiting their use.
Safety and parking concerns
The survey results underscore several concerns related to e-scooters, primarily disorganized parking and traffic safety risks. E-scooters are frequently left on sidewalks and cycle paths, obstructing pedestrian movement. Safety concerns have also been amplified by the increasing number of accidents. In 2022 alone, Berlin police recorded 1,144 e-scooter-related accidents—a 41% rise from the previous year. Pedestrians, particularly the elderly, have reported feeling at risk due to reckless riding behavior.
Despite these concerns, 40% of respondents admitted to having used an e-scooter at least once, primarily for short trips as an alternative to walking or public transportation.
Proposed measures and government response
In response to public concerns, the Berlin Senate for Transport has already taken steps to reduce the number of e-scooters operating within the S-Bahn ring, cutting the fleet from 25,000 to 19,000. Plans are also underway to establish designated parking areas to address the issue of disorderly scooter parking.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, however, opposes a complete ban, arguing that e-scooters remain a crucial component of modern urban mobility. Instead, he advocates for stronger regulations, including possible speed limits and increased fines for misuse.
The Citizens’ Advisory Council has also proposed an awareness campaign to educate users on responsible scooter use. Additionally, a public forum is being planned to discuss the survey findings and explore further solutions for improving urban traffic flow.
As Berlin continues to grapple with the challenges posed by e-scooters, authorities are expected to balance public safety concerns with the need for sustainable transportation options. The coming months will likely see further policy adjustments aimed at regulating e-scooter usage while maintaining their role in the city’s evolving mobility landscape.