Visit our blog: [ Ссылка ]
Electric scooters are one of the newest means of transportation in the world. In recent years, they have become extremely popular.
The wide spread of electric scooters and the frequent traffic accidents that happen with them have caused many countries to review the rules.
Let’s look over the electric scooter laws in Europe we managed to gather.
All data is taken from public sources. If the cell is empty, it means we didn’t find any information, or there is no limit.
Now, let’s see what we can read out from this information.
Helmets
In most European countries, the use of helmets while riding an electric scooter is not regulated. However, in some countries wearing a helmet is mandatory for everyone or until some age.
For example, Greece and Spain are most strict on this matter. In there, everyone must wear a helmet while riding an electric scooter. No matter how old they are. We think it’s very reasonable. The head is a valuable part of our body at any age.
But in Italy and Bulgaria, everyone who is underaged must wear a helmet if they want to ride an e-scooter.
Norway, Sweden. Estonia, Croatia, and Romania have established a rule that those under 15-16 must wear a helmet if riding an e-scooter.
An interesting fact is, that In the United Kingdom, a helmet is not mandatory when riding an electric scooter for anybody.
Minimum Age
Most European countries have established a minimum age for riding an electric scooter.
The most strict countries are Bulgaria, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, and Ireland. In these countries, the rider of an electric scooter must be at least 16 years of age.
On the other hand, in Estonia and Poland, everyone over 10 years of age is allowed to ride electric scooters.
The rest of the countries fall between those two
Maximum Speed of an Electric Scooter
It’s the rule, where European countries are most in agreement.
The maximum permitted speed of an electric scooter in Europe is 20 or 25 km/h.
While in most European countries it is allowed to ride an e-scooter at the speed of 25 km/h, there are some countries where the speed limit is just 20 km/h. These countries are:
Poland
Norway
Germany
Sweden
Denmark
Switzerland
Maximum Motor Power of an Electric Scooter
Not all European countries have set the rule for electric scooter motor power.
In Estonia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Finland, the maximum motor power of an electric scooter is 1,000 watts. It’s the same wattage that has allowed for electric scooters in the United States.
The most conservative countries in this area are Sweden, Croatia, and Ireland. The scooters in these countries can have only 250W motors.
In the rest of the countries, the given limit falls between these two.
Carrying a Passenger
It is not allowed to carry a passenger when riding an electric scooter in Europe.
Although every country in Europe has not regulated it, there is no country that says it is allowed. And there are many countries that are very strict on this matter and have stated in the local laws, that only one person is allowed to ride an electric scooter at once.
More Interesting Facts
In many European countries, electric scooters are subject to the same rules as bicycles, and riding on pavements is completely prohibited or allowed at pedestrian speeds. Electric scooters are directed to cycle paths and, in their absence, to the right side of the road
In Norway, the use of rental electric scooters is prohibited at night. In Finland, rental scooters are prohibited at night on weekends. The reason is the frequent use of e-scooters under the influence of alcohol and the resulting accidents.
In Spain, electric scooter riders are subject to the same penalty rates as car drivers. For example: Using a mobile phone or headphones – fine €200. Riding with a passenger – fine €100. Riding under the influence of alcohol – fine €500 or €1,000 (depends on the degree of the drunkness)
In Denmark, the maximum weight of an electric scooter is 25 kg.
In England, Germany, Netherlands, France, and Norway, the electric scooter must be insured.
Conclusion
We believe that electric scooters are here to stay. They provide great assistance to pedestrians and help to save a lot of time.
On the other hand, electric scooters cause lots of problems for people who don’t use them. There are issues with the parking of shared electric scooters, riding under the influence of alcohol, riding too fast, and so on.
Establishing correct rules and laws that regulate the use of e-scooters, is the right direction to go.
Since electric scooters are relatively new vehicles on our streets, it takes some time to implement all the rules.
[ Ссылка ]
