E-SCOOTER: Green Light On For E-Scooter
Commuting is one of the big issues. Not enough parking spaces, lack of public transportation and traffic jam are common problems in big cities around the world. And whether you have your own car or not, these problems don’t go away. Speaking of me, I have to wait for trains and transit more than 2 times. If I check the distance between my place and the office on a map, it is pretty close but no direct connection. Therefore, people have craved better ways of commuting. Yes, we have bicycle already. But it has some limitations.
The new alternative commuting way sounds sweet. Smaller size than a bicycle, no-pedal work, and cheaper than car. And it is allowed to drive in Germany officially – which our HQ office is located. From the mid of June, it is legal transportation in Germany which our HQ is located. Is it really solving the problems? I think this is very early stage we can tell.
First of all, accidents and injuries are increasing. The small wheel can be flipped over by a small bump. Streets are packed with people. Second, bicycle pave is not enough to share the space with e-scooter. The lack of infrastructure for them. Despite concerns, the e-scooter is rapidly spreading to everywhere. Several companies set the hire system in major cities of 11 European countries – Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and some parts of Italy.
And let’s check out the most frequent questions we have!
FAQ
OFFICIAL TERM
Personal Light Electric Vehicles (including Segways, hoverboards and e-skateboards)
WHAT ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE NEW REGULATION?
All Personal Light Electric Vehicles with the following features will be able to use the roads:
1) With a handlebar
2) Maximum design speed between 6 kph and 20 kph
3) Power limitation at 500 W (1,400 W for specific self-balancing vehicles)
4) Minimum requirements concerning road safety rules (brake and lighting systems, dynamics of vehicle movement & electric safety, among other things)
WHERE AM I ALLOWED TO DRIVE IT?
Cycle track or cycle lane (bicycle pave)
DO I NEED A DRIVING LICENSE?
No
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE?
14 years and above
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
Yes
DO I NEED A HELMET?
Yes
CAN IT BE CARRIED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT?
The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure supports the carriage of Personal Light Electric Vehicles on public transport, however it cannot make it obligatory. The respective transport operator will decide on its conditions of carriage.
In general, the rules on the carriage of objects on local public transport apply. Details can be found in Section 11 of the Regulations on the General Conditions of Carriage for Tram and Trolleybus Services and Regular Motor Vehicle Services and, if appropriate, the special conditions of carriage of the respective transport operator. Rules on carriage by railway undertakings might also be found in the special conditions of carriage of the transport operator
CAN IT BE PARKED ON THE FOOTWAY WHEN THEIR MOTOR HAS BEEN SWITCHED OFF?
No, even if the motor has been switched off, they can only be parked on designated traffic spaces. It is not possible to change vehicle categories while riding, for example by switching off the motor
*** Further information, you can refer to the BMVI website (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure)