Controversial travel solution: E-scooters dominate German cities
The emergence of electronic scooters (e-scooters) has revolutionized transportation in select areas, yet regulatory bodies are still catching up. Some cities are imposing limitations or outright bans on their use. The acceptability of e-scooters: love 'em or loathe 'em. Five years ago, these electric-powered kick scooters were legalized in Germany, and since then, they've become a common sight in city centers—often parked in designated areas and sometimes even on bike and pedestrian paths. Critics denounce the reckless driving habits of some e-scooter users.
On June 15, 2019, e-scooters with operating permits began navigating through cities and towns. They were intended to facilitate travel for the so-called first and last mile. According to a spokesperson from rental company Voi, roughly half of all trips end near public transportation.
Although they have become a regular fixture, many individuals remain uncertain about the applicable rules. To ride an e-scooter, users must be at least 14 years old, and the maximum speed should not exceed 20 kilometers per hour. The bike lane should be utilized when available, but the road if the bike lane is not present. Walking on sidewalks is prohibited, and riding in pairs is also forbidden, although some disregard this rule, causing frustration, particularly among critics.
However, the proliferation of e-scooters is being stalled in numerous locations. E-scooters have been banned from public transportation in cities like Hamburg and Munich due to concerns about explosion and fire hazards. In Leipzig, passengers have been unable to take e-scooters with them since May.
Gelsenkirchen saw the disappearance of e-scooters from rental stations at the end of April, as the city demanded that rental companies identify their users. The providers opposed this demand and failed in an initial court challenge. However, this is not a final ruling, according to a spokesperson for the company Bolt a few weeks ago. The legal proceedings in the Ruhr district city are unprecedented in Germany so far. But, "Overall, there is a trend toward increasing regulation in this area in municipalities," according to the German City and Town Association. Specific quotas or riding bans for rental e-scooters are frequently imposed.
There have been discussions about restrictions on e-scooters during the winter months since their approval. According to the supplier Bolt, they do not generally restrict the use of their scooters in the winter. However, they reportedly deactivated their e-scooter fleet in certain cities last winter due to slippery roads and snowfall.
Europe has also imposed restrictions on e-scooters. Since September, rental scooters have been banned in Paris, as 89% of respondents in a citizen survey were against e-scooter rentals.
The devices are involved in accidents repeatedly. The number of accidents has steadily increased over the years. Preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office indicates that there were 9439 accidents with personal injury in Germany last year, and in 2022, there were still 8443 accidents.
According to Christopher Spering, Chief Doctor at the University Hospital Goettingen's Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics Clinic, the increase in accidents should be viewed in the context of the increased use of e-scooters. Spering considers it challenging to determine whether e-scooters are more dangerous than, for example, bicycles. From a technical standpoint, he believes that the poorly constructed nature of these devices introduces a high accident risk.
A survey by the Federal Statisticians showed that improper use of the roadway and alcohol consumption were the leading causes of e-scooter accidents in the previous year. In 18.6% of cases, the roadway or sidewalks were not utilized correctly, and in 18% of cases, the drivers were intoxicated.
Spering emphasized that alcohol plays a significant role: "Alcohol reduces reaction time and leads to increased overconfidence in riders, resulting in more accidents." While the helmet requirement is seldom implemented, some providers now offer reaction tests to check riders' ability. This is the case at large events like the Cologne Carnival or the Oktoberfest in Munich, as explained by the company Lime.
The cost of renting e-scooters in Germany varies depending on time of day, location, and payment model. The current minute price ranges from 19 to 29 cents among different providers.
Unusual events have been cropping up, one of which occurred in early May when a fellow in Landkreis Dachau, Bavaria, was pulled over by the cops while cruising an E-Scooter at a speedy 80 km/h. E-Scooters have even been seen on autobahns - take the instance in August 2021, where a guy on the A2 near Bielefeld claimed he was simply checking his battery's range. Then there was the drama during the Oberammergau Passion Plays, where an E-Scooter was intended to replace a donkey for Christ's grand entrance into Jerusalem. Animal rights activists were quite insistent that the Christ figure should glide in on an E-Scooter, rather than a beast of burden.
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In response to the explosion and fire hazards concerns, several cities like Hamburg and Munich have banned e-scooters from their public transportation systems. International regulations are also following suit, with Paris banning rental scooters since September due to public opposition. Despite these restrictions, traffic accidents involving e-scooters have continually increased in Germany, reaching 8443 last year.
In an attempt to reduce accidents and promote safer use, some e-scooter providers are implementing reaction tests for riders, especially during large events where alcohol consumption is high. For instance, Lime offers such tests at events like Cologne Carnival and Oktoberfest in Munich.
