Source: Urban Mobility Observatory

The EU Urban Mobility Observatory has published a case study exploring four European capital cities’ approaches to managing shared e-scooters, and balancing the benefits of flexible, green urban mobility options with the challenges of safety, parking and public space management.

In light of the rapid expansion of shared e-scooter schemes in European cities over the last five years, the study compares the experiences of Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and Brussels in introducing and managing such schemes, and highlights five key themes which are common to all four cities studied:

• A need for clear national regulation
• Consistent enforcement
• Proper management of parking solutions
• Optimised integration with public transport
• Equity and safety are priorities

The study authors highlight that the four cities represent a broad spectrum of governance approaches, from highly restrictive to more open, and provide a demonstration of how different regulatory choices can shape how shared e-scooter systems are integrated into a city’s urban mobility landscape.

Paris – a restrictive approach

The French capital experienced several years of rising cases of accidents, street clutter due to poor parking, and frustration among its citizens towards the shared e-scooter schemes that had been introduced. A referendum in 2023 led to a total ban on shared e-scooters in the city. Following the ban, demand for shared bicycles has increased, indicating a continued need for the flexibility of micromobility options. The city is now focusing on the management of remaining micromobility services with designated parking zones and stronger enforcement, backed up by public space occupation agreements.

Private e-scooter ownership in France remains among Europe’s highest, indicating their popularity as personal mobility devices. Private e-scooters’ prevalence in French cities reinforce the need for effective management of public space and enforcement tools which go beyond regulations for shared mobility scheme operators.

Berlin – structured integration

Berlin is attempting to implement a structured integration of shared e-scooters, though is somewhat hampered by the lack of a strong national regulatory framework which limits its enforcement powers.

The city is developing a sharing strategy designed for longevity, with the creation of a network of dedicated parking stations, and measures which include geofencing, requirements for precise tracking technology, and operator cooperation. Data-sharing agreements with operators, and integration with the city’s mobility platform Jelbi, have helped support multimodal journeys.

Stockholm – structured integration

Sweden’s capital has created a comprehensive operational framework for shared e-scooters, clearly outlining operators’ responsibilities and providing greater predictability for the city’s authorities. The framework consists of:

• A bi-annual permit system
• A citywide fleet cap of 12,000 e-scooters
• Clearly defined parking rules, plus a relocation fee mechanism in the case of incorrectly parked scooters

The study states that these measures have improved the oversight of shared e-scooters and supported their integration into the city’s active mobility strategy, though there remains a persistent problem with parking violations. It is also noted that, as with the case of Berlin, the lack of national regulation poses some constraints on the city’s ability to handle the shared e-scooter offering effectively.

Brussels – a region-wide and data-driven approach

Under Brussels’ Good Move mobility plan, the regional authorities have established a strong micromobility framework which is effective across multiple municipalities. Measures include mandatory parking zones, a unified data framework, and coordinated rules; these aim to enhance public space management, and guide the behaviour of shared scheme operators.

The framework is reliant on data provided by shared scheme operators, which constitutes a significant limitation.

Summary of challenges, benefits and transferability

Key challenges include:

• Parking compliance and enforcement
• A lack of clear or comprehensive national regulatory frameworks

Benefits include:

• A large share of trips provide a commuting solution
• Connections and integration with public transport networks and systems enable smooth multimodal travel
• A major contributor to the drive towards decarbonised travel, first- and last-mile access and sustainable urban mobility

The diverse range of experiences of these cities can provide practical lessons and governance models for other cities considering introducing shared e-scooter services, or refining systems already in place.