Tag Archive: E-SCOOTERS

  1. Survey reveals majority of Berliners support e-scooter ban

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    Source: 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.

  2. E-scooter trials in Scottish cities could launch within nine months

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    Source: STV News

    Plans for e-scooter rental trials in Scottish cities could move forward within the next nine months, according to Voi, one of the largest operators of shared e-scooters in the UK.

    These trials will aim to explore the viability of e-scooters as a sustainable transport option, mirroring ongoing schemes in E gland. Currently, 22 e-scooter trials are active across England, which were launched following legislative changes four years ago. Discussions between the Scottish Government and the UK Department for Transport (DfT) are now underway to extend this initiative to Scotland.

    Local authorities express interest

    Several Scottish councils have indicated their willingness to participate. Midlothian Council has expressed interest but awaits the necessary legislative framework and funding. Glasgow City Council, which approved the idea of a trial in October 2020, is also awaiting for Transport Scotland’s legislative approval. A council spokesperson stated that e-scooters could play a role in creating a “sustainable transport system” for the city. They emphasized that any trial would be carefully monitored, particularly regarding pedestrian safety.

    Edinburgh City Council has also expressed conditional interest. Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, noted that while the council is keen to learn from trials elsewhere, the lack of enabling legislation presents a significant obstacle.

    Operator optimistic about Scottish trials

    James Bolton, UK general manager of Voi, expressed optimism about the initiative’s prospects in Scotland. “We’re really keen to start working with Scottish cities to introduce some of the benefits we’ve seen in England over the last four years,” Bolton said. “Speaking to the cities, we know there is a clear appetite for e-scooter trials north of the border.”

    Bolton emphasized the potential environmental benefits of e-scooters, including their alignment with Transport Scotland’s goal of reducing car journeys by 20% by 2030. Addressing safety concerns, he cited data showing a 70% reduction in serious accidents involving e-scooters over the past four years, putting them on par with electric bikes.

    Scottish government and Transport Scotland response

    Transport Scotland confirmed ongoing discussions with the UK Government for Transport regarding participation in e-scooter trials. A spokesperson stated that legislative changes would be required to enable interested local authorities to take part.

    Outlook for e-scooter trials in Scotland

    With growing interest among local authorities and a clear push from operators like Voi, e-scooter trials could represent a significant step toward greener transport options in Scotland. However, legislative approval remains a critical hurdle before trials can proceed.

    The coming months will determine whether Scotland joins England in testing e-scooters as a potential solution to urban mobility challenges.

  3. UK Transport Secretary urges the legalisation of e-scooters on public roads

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    Source: The Telegraph

    UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh announced the Government’s intention to legalise private e-scooters on public roads, acknowledging the need for regulatory changes.

    Currently, privately owned e-scooters are prohibited on roads and pavements under laws applicable to motorbikes and cars, with exemptions granted only to Government-backed e-scooter rental schemes.

    Need for E-Scooter Legislation

    Ms. Haigh emphasised the urgency of addressing the current regulatory gap, stating that introducing e-scooter legislation is “clearly required.” While confirming there is no parliamentary time or relevant Bill in the current session to address this, she assured that future legislation is planned. “It’s not good enough that it’s been left in this situation for too long,” she added.

    E-scooters, she noted, could play a significant role in an integrated transport strategy, potentially benefiting individuals with reduced mobility. However, she highlighted challenges such as parking, street clutter, and understanding the behavioural impacts of e-scooter usage.

    Previous Legislative Efforts

    Although plans to legalise e-scooters were included in the Queen’s Speech in 2022, they did not progress due to political changes, including the resignation of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

    Safety and Usage Concerns

    Shared-use e-scooters are currently restricted to speeds of 15.5 mph and are available for hire to individuals over 18. However, Department for Transport data from 2022 revealed 12 fatalities, 1,480 injuries, and significant safety concerns for riders, pedestrians, and cyclists.

    Industry Challenges

    Despite trials of rental e-scooter schemes in various UK towns and cities, the industry has faced setbacks. Companies like insurance provider Zego and operator Dott have exited the UK market, citing regulatory uncertainty and challenges posed by unregulated e-bikes. Additionally, some e-scooter providers have collapsed in recent years.

    The Government’s forthcoming legislative efforts aim to address these issues and provide clarity for e-scooter use on public roads.

  4. ETSC publishes report on improving road safety of e-scooters

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    Source: European Transport Safety Council

    The increasing popularity of e-scooters underpins a need for safety measures across Europe

    E-scooters have rapidly emerged as a popular mode of transport since their arrival in Europe. Legalisation for their use followed shortly after, with countries like Belgium, France, and Germany permitting the use of e-scooters in 2019. Today, privately owned e-scooters are allowed in most European countries, with the UK and the Netherlands standing out as notable exceptions.

    However, the surge in e-scooter usage has coincided with an increase in road collisions involving these vehicles. This has raised concerns about potential risks to both riders and other vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians.

    A report published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), Improving the Road Safety of E-scooters, examines the safety implications of this trend in three key parts. The first two sections focus on crash data related to deaths and serious injuries involving motorised micro-mobility devices, a category that includes e-scooters as well as less common vehicles like self-balancing unicycles and Segways.

    The third section delves into measures to mitigate these risks. It explores technical standards for vehicles, road rules, infrastructure, and urban speed limits. The report highlights best practices from across Europe, offering evidence-based recommendations for national governments to improve e-scooter safety.

    The report also calls for urgent action from the European Union to establish unified technical standards for e-scooters. Suggested areas of focus include minimum age requirements, helmet use, regulations on drink-driving, carrying passengers, and riding on pavements. By promoting consistent safety measures, the EU could play a pivotal role in ensuring safer integration of e-scooters into urban transport systems across Europe.

    As e-scooters become an increasingly significant part of urban mobility, such coordinated efforts are essential to protect all road users.

    Download the full report here.

  5. Research reveals that riding an e-scooter is a light-intensity physical activity

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    Source: Journal of Transport & Health

    E-scooters are outpacing cars but fall short of walking for exercise intensity.

    A recent study sheds light on the physical activity benefits of e-scooters, an increasingly popular form of micromobility. Researchers evaluated the metabolic energy expenditure and muscle activation of riding e-scooters compared to walking and driving. The findings suggest that while e-scooters provide light physical activity, they fall short of the moderate physical activity associated with walking.

    Methodology

    The study involved 20 participants aged 21–41 in a controlled crossover experiment. Researchers measured metabolic physical activity in METs (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) during a fixed course and assessed muscle activation during typical maneuvers. MET values, often used to quantify energy expenditure over time, were compared across e-scooter riding, walking, and driving.

    Key findings

    • Energy expenditure: Riding an e-scooter generated an energy expenditure of 2.14 METs, which is classified as light physical activity. This level was significantly higher than driving a car (1.42 METs) but lower than walking (3.12 METs).
    • Muscle activation: E-scooter use resulted in greater muscle activation in the arms and trunk than both driving and walking, with higher engagement across all muscle groups compared to driving.
    • Activity intensity: While driving is sedentary, e-scooters offer a light-intensity alternative, and walking remains a moderate-intensity activity.

    Implications

    The study highlights that e-scooters can contribute to physical activity when replacing sedentary modes of travel like driving. However, replacing walking with e-scooter use could reduce overall transportation-related physical activity. The findings suggest a nuanced approach to integrating e-scooters into urban mobility strategies, balancing convenience and health benefits.

    As cities continue to promote micromobility, the physical activity impacts of e-scooters provide an important consideration for sustainable and health-conscious transportation planning.

  6. Calls for consistency in Australia’s e-scooter landscape

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    Source: ABC News

    The different legal statuses of both private and public e-scooters in Australian states has prompted discussion around standardising the regulations

    Experts have dubbed the rulings for e-scooters across Australia “confusing”, with some states including New South Wales and South Australia seeking to legalise the use of private e-scooters, whereas Melbourne ended a shared e-scooter trial early over safety concerns. Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece highlighted concerns about the way they are used in the city, saying, “There are literally more people disobeying the law on e-scooters than there are actually following the rules.”

    ‘Wild West’ of regulations

    Richard Buning, the University of Queensland research lead for micromobility, said, “The e-scooter legislation across the country is all over the place. It is the Wild West. It is an absolute mess. We call them different things. Some places are e-rideables, in Queensland we call them personal mobility devices. We can’t even decide what we want to call them in the first place.” Currently, private e-scooters (personal mobility devices) are legal in Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT, but prohibited in New South Wales, the Northern Territory and South Australia. In the states where private e-scooters are legal, different rules are in place for acceleration speed and where they can be ridden.

    Dr. Buning highlighted the advantages for city residents and tourists of e-scooters, saying, “If you are a working professional or a student and you can’t afford a car or public transport doesn’t work for you, they are probably perhaps the easiest solution for you to get there in a sustainable way.” For tourists, they represent a flexible option, he says: “Normally transport is the annoying part of travel and if you’re a tourist and you’re in the city, public transport is typically off the cards for you. Tourists find buses very confusing.”

    Shared e-scooters’ safety

    Narelle Howarth, researcher at the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland, views shared-use e-scooters as safer, thanks to their ability to be controlled. “The shared ones are actually the ones that government can most easily regulate because with the shared ones they can’t operate unless they get a permit from the local government.” She did acknowledge that they can present a safety risk for users who are often inexperienced and unlikely to wear helmets – a factor which her research shows is strongly linked to a rider’s understanding and support of the law.

    Regarding private e-scooters, Howarth highlighted their ability to be ridden at high speeds and to be modified, and called for tighter rulings. “The first thing you have to do is to get the regulations and we haven’t done that. We certainly haven’t done that in terms of what can come into the country. Then we need to have settings at the state government level which will relate to how fast and where e-scooters can be used and then we can educate people about what those rules are.”

    Infrastructure improvements for greater harmony

    To enable pedestrians and e-scooters to coexist, Alexa Delbosc of the Monash Institute of Transport Studies says that the infrastructure needs to be in place for e-scooter users and cyclists. Simply removing e-scooters from cities would only reduce the number of urban transport options. She adds, “If you provide safe, separated infrastructure, people use it. The proportion of people riding on the footpath was cut in half in a place where there was a bike lane compared to a street where there was no bike lane. If we want people to be riding bikes or scooters in a safe way, we need to be providing more safe separated infrastructure.”

    Delbosc emphasised that existing regulations need to be enforced more strongly and consistently. “It would pay back in goodwill from the community and from people doing the right thing. If people don’t think they’re going to get caught, they’re just going to keep riding on a footpath, and clearly there wasn’t enough enforcement [in Melbourne].”

  7. Madrid is taking steps to prohibit e-scooters rented through apps

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    Madrid is set to prohibit e-scooter rentals via mobile applications on safety grounds, after the city’s three licensed providers did not adhere to regulations regarding user circulation and parking management, according to the mayor of the Spanish capital.

    Source: The Guardian

    José Luis Martínez-Almeida announced on Thursday that the licenses for Lime, Dott, and Tier Mobility would be revoked starting in October, with no plans to issue new licenses to other companies.

    “The market has proven unable to fulfil the requirements established by the mayor’s office to guarantee the utmost safety for residents,” he stated.

    The “scooter sharing system” has faced criticism in cities globally due to instances of reckless riding and improper parking by users.

    Last year, Paris also banned e-scooter rentals following a public consultation. Since May 2023, the Madrid city council had put regulations in place for the rental e-scooter market, allowing only Dott from Amsterdam, Germany’s Tier Mobility, and US-based Lime, which operates through Uber’s app.

    Each operator was permitted to rent out 2,000 scooters. These companies were required to provide the mayor’s office with access to their data and to implement technology that would ensure customers parked scooters in designated areas and could not rent them in pedestrian-only zones or near historic parks.

    However, the operators did not comply with these requirements, as noted in the statement, which also mentioned they have 20 days to file an appeal.

  8. Madrid takes steps to ban app-rented scooters over safety concerns

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    Source: The Guardian

    E-scooter providers, including Lime, Dott and Tier, Mobility licenses to be cancelled from October due to issues with circulation and parking.

    Madrid will ban app-based e-scooter rentals after the city’s three licensed operators failed to enforce limits on their users’ riding areas and parking, according to the city’s mayor.

    José Luis Martínez-Almeida announced on Thursday that the licenses for Lime, Dott, and Tier Mobility would be revoked starting in October, and no new licenses would be granted to other operators.

    The market was found to be incapable of meeting the requirements set by the mayor’s office to ensure the highest level of safety for citizens,” he said in a statement. The shared e-scooter system has faced criticism in cities worldwide for reckless driving and improper parking by some users.

    Following a public consultation, Paris banned e-scooter rentals last year.

    Since May 2023, Madrid’s city council had regulated the e-scooter rental market, allowing only Dott, Tier Mobility, and Lime to operate, with each authorized to rent out 2,000 scooters.

    These companies were required to provide the mayor’s office with access to their data and implement technology to ensure scooters were parked in designated areas and not used in pedestrian zones or near historic parks.

    However, the operators failed to comply, the statement said, adding they have 20 days to appeal the decision.

  9. Scotland urged to trial e-scooters

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    Source: ZAG Daily

    The Scottish government is being encouraged to introduce shared e-scooter trials in towns and cities to support the country’s climate targets.

    A new policy briefing from CoMoUK, a national charity focused on shared transport, highlights that Scotland has “missed out” on the benefits of e-scooters, which offer a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly mode of travel.

    Addressed to the Scottish government, public authorities, and the UK Department for Transport, CoMoUK’s guidance follows a statement earlier this year from Scotland’s Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, who suggested that e-scooters would “inevitably” be legalised in the country.

    Since the initial launch of e-scooter trials in England in summer 2020 there hasn’t been an expansion into other areas,” CoMoUK Chief Executive Richard Dilks told Zag Daily. “We believe areas that have local authorities and operators who are keen to participate in new trials should have them, whether they happen to be in England or Scotland.

    The Transport Secretary’s comments earlier this year were welcome, and we hope our policy briefing will inform her thinking and help build momentum around e-scooter trials.

    According to Richard, UK officials need to work closely with their counterparts north of the border to get e-scooter trials off the ground in Scotland.

    The legal use of e-scooters and decisions around their introduction is broadly a reserved matter for the UK Government. However, in addition to any legislation brought forward by the UK Government, further amendments to devolved legislation would also be required,” a Transport Scotland spokesperson told Zag Daily.

    Ministers in the previous UK Government publicly stated their intention to bring forward a new regulatory framework to enable the use of micro-mobility vehicles including e-scooters. Both primary and secondary legislation would be required, therefore the timescales for when such a regulatory framework would be in effect remain unclear.

    Transport Scotland will continue to engage with the current UK Government and monitor developments in this area.”

    CoMoUK’s policy briefing

    CoMoUK’s briefing identifies Scotland’s major cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee as ideal locations for shared e-scooter schemes due to their population size. It also highlights smaller towns like Inverness, Perth, Stirling, and tourist spots such as Fort William as potential candidates for such trials.

    The charity believes that pilot schemes would implement strict regulations to enhance road safety, addressing the current issue of illegal, unregulated e-scooters on Scottish roads. CoMoUK has also called on the UK government to legalize e-scooters to mitigate safety concerns related to unregulated vehicles.

    Their research shows that serious safety incidents occur in only one out of every 500,000 e-scooter trips, and they argue that trials could help Scotland achieve its goal of reducing motor vehicle traffic by 20%.

    Richard Dilks concluded by urging Transport Scotland to collaborate with UK authorities and move forward with pilot schemes as soon as possible.

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