Reykjavík residents to consult on e-scooter regulations

Source: Iceland Review

Residents of Icelandic capital city Reykjavík are invited to share opinions and suggestions for new regulations around e-scooter rental activity, via the city’s consultation portal.

A key issue is the question of whether fixed docking stations should be established, or if the city’s existing dockless scheme should stay in place. Iceland’s National Broadcasting Service, RÚV, reports that most of the comments submitted to the portal negatively relate to the risk of accidents when scooters are left in the middle of pavements or cycle paths.

Addressing the challenges

Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, Reykjavík City Councillor and Chair of the Environment and Planning Council, spoke to RÚV about the issue. “I know that e-scooter rentals have been very successful in connecting people in the city and making it easy for people to travel between them. It’s really part of our public transportation network. But it has also come with challenges, and it’s incredibly important to address them.” 

She went on to outline the need for balance in the approach to regulating e-scooter rentals. “I find it important that for the users who behave well and interact with this mode of transport with respect, there is some leeway, but it must be ensured that supervision is sufficient so that there are adequate restrictions for the operators to respond when action needs to be taken. That there is a certain balance in between”.