Across Europe Electric Scooters have become increasingly popular. But cities are struggling to regulate the use of these electric vehicles as accidents are increasing at an alarming rate.
The two-wheeled electric vehicle that can go at 40-50 km/h, has been involved in a lot of accidents since people started using it on a regular basis.
Germany has already enforced some clear rules and regulation as well as some strict laws.
At this right moment, city regulators must reach out to a point, where an electric scooter belongs to. Is it the pavement, cycle paths or roads?
There are two major points to consider. One is, this is a vehicle powered by a physical motor. Another point is, it is smaller than cars or bikes. Considering these two points, regulators are finding it very difficult to find out the safest place for electric scooters where both user and pedestrians are involved.
In present days, in more than hundreds of cities you can find a flood of e-scooters roaming around the cities. Some cities have restricted the use of electric scooters to rental stores and some cities have given the opportunity to buy an e-scooter for personal use.
For example, in Paris alone, more than 20,000 electric scooters are there either for hire or personal. In a German city called Cologne authorities are expecting there will be more than 40,000 electric scooters by the end of the year. And the authority has already sanctioned some stricter regulations after some e-scooter related accidents.
And due to the green earth move, the usage of e-scooters has increased so dramatically.
How dangerous are electric scooters
Due to the explosive popularity of electric scooters, many companies and suppliers are either making or importing e-scooters so rapidly. These actions are leaving a narrow space for the government to research and regulate the laws for the safety for each party. Due to the popularity and public demand, many companies make it optional to provide certain safety features. Even some electric scooters only have one break and it can be very difficult to stop the vehicle travelling at a relatively high speed.
Since 2018, there are at least 11 deaths which are linked to electric scooters in cities like Paris, Barcelona, Brussels, Stockholm and London. And hundreds of injuries are accounted due to e-scooter related accidents.
What are the current laws?
Many European countries like Germany, Switzerland, France and Austria have legalized the public use of electric scooters.
The UK has recently granted to run a trial to use electric scooters for renting, buying or using. But this usage will be limited to run it with private property, not on roads or pavements.
Sweden has already banned using any electric scooter which ca run beyond 20km/h on its city’s bicycle lane.
France is also not far from regulating stricter laws to prevent the accident caused by electric scooters.
In Belgium, no one younger than 18 years of age can ride an electric scooter. Though they have increased the speed limit from 18km/h to 25km/h.
These strict laws will certainly increase safety measurements while riding an electric scooter. As more and more people are demanding for it, governments throughout Europe and eager to deploy and increase the use of electric scooters.
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