Following an e-scooter incident: Call for Tighter Government Regulation
In the quiet town of Graben-Neudorf, a tragic accident involving an E-scooter has sparked a nationwide debate about the safety of these vehicles. On Saturday, two 15-year-old girls on an E-scooter collided with an 84-year-old pedestrian, resulting in the pedestrian's unfortunate death in the hospital.
The accident has brought to light the concerns about E-scooter usage, particularly in urban areas. According to the latest statistics, there were 1465 traffic accidents in Baden-Württemberg involving E-scooters last year, an increase of 33.4% compared to the previous year. Seven people lost their lives in these accidents, four more than the year before.
The incident has led Transport Minister Winfried Hermann to state that rule-breaking on E-scooters is the norm in Stuttgart. He has appealed to users to show consideration for others, particularly against parking E-scooters on sidewalks and traffic islands. Minister Hermann has also suggested that local police authorities should intervene more frequently in cases of E-scooter violations.
Eckart Hammer, chairman of the State Senior Council, shares these concerns, advocating for the protection of older people due to E-scooters not being easily heard and not equipped with signals. He suggests that bike paths should be well-marked and inviting to encourage safety and discourage E-scooter riders from using sidewalks.
Bernd Ebert of the State Senior Council supports Hermann's appeal, calling for E-scooters to be kept off sidewalks. He also suggests that cities could influence providers to continue rental if an E-scooter is not parked properly.
It is important to note that in Germany, E-scooter users must be at least 14 years old and wear a helmet. E-scooters are limited to a maximum speed of 20 km/h and are allowed on public roads but are generally forbidden from riding on sidewalks or pedestrian zones. They must use bike lanes or roads where bike lanes are absent. E-scooters also require liability insurance and registration.
Despite these regulations, some are calling for stricter measures, such as slower speed limits and compulsory registration and insurance, as seen in other EU countries. However, such stricter caps and additional obligations have not been implemented in Germany as of August 2025.
The debate continues as Germany navigates the integration of E-scooters into its traffic system, aiming to ensure safety for all road users without compromising the convenience these vehicles offer.
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