E-scooter speed and age requirements in focus

As the purchase and use of e-scooters continues to grow significantly across Europe, several governments are looking again at the rules governing their use.

In Finland, in consultation with the government, rental scheme operators have agreed to limit e-scooter speeds to 20 km/h, and 15 km/h at night.

There have been calls in Austria and Italy to limit the top speed of e-scooters at 20 km/h.

In the city of Paris, certain central areas are now limiting the speed of rented e-scooters to 10 km/h.

In Ireland, where e-scooters could soon be legalised for the first time, speeds will be limited to 25 km/h, but local authorities will be given powers to require a lower speed of 20 km/h.

In Belgium, ETSC’s member VIAS institute is backing a call for a minimum age of 16 years for e-scooter riders.  In Austria, ETSC’s member KFV also wants the minimum age for e-scooter users increased from 12 currently, to 14.

The European Commission is also looking at e-scooters and micro-mobility in general, with guidelines for use under consideration at the moment.  Technical standards are also being considered under possible plans for standardisation or type approval for certain categories of device.