E-scooter in Hamburg: New rules against park chaos!

E-scooter in Hamburg: New rules against park chaos!

Hamburg, Deutschland - Since their approval in Germany in June 2019, E-scooters have been an issue that all deals with. They should be part of the traffic turnaround, but in reality they are often perceived as stumbling blocks. Pedestrians in particular see a great annoyance in the rolling vans, as the ADAC states. In Hamburg, where the e-scooters are already an integral part of the street scene, the symptoms are increasing about improperly parked vehicles. This problem now also ensures conversation at the political level.

In a current advance, the Federal Ministry of Transport plans to tighten the setting rules for e-scooters nationwide. The aim is to minimize annoying obstacles in public space and to better integrate the popular and unpopular companions into the traffic flow. According to a report of the daily mirror, rental scooter may no longer be easily parked on sidewalks or pedestrian zones. The providers are therefore asked to agree on parking locations with the municipalities in order to relieve pedestrian traffic.

new rules for e-scooter

The Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) has already announced that a draft is in the works to change the electrical cars regulation. This new regulation states that private e-scooters can generally be parked on sidewalks as long as other road users are not endangered or hindered. However, this is no longer so easy for commercial e-scooters: in the future they may no longer be parked directly on sidewalks or in pedestrian zones, without defined storage concepts. This could significantly influence the business model of the providers and possibly endanger profitability, warn industry representatives.

The focus is not just on the storage locations. The use of the e-scooters is also to be regulated. The planned changes stipulate that e-scooters can drive in the future where cyclists are also allowed, at most at a walking speed on sidewalks. Newly approved models must also be equipped with indicators and separate brakes in order to increase the safety of the drivers - a measure that not only serves to regulate, but also to protect other road users.

consequences for pedestrians and drivers

The discussion about e-scooter is not only conducted against the background of the traffic regulations, but also raises questions about climate protection. Bernhard von Ehren, Managing Director of a tree nursery in Hamburg, warns of the effects of climate change on the urban habitat. Many trees suffered from drought and heat, and this also has negative consequences for the traffic situation in the city. An untidy parking of e-scooters in residential areas tightens the problem for pedestrians.

e-scooter are also only approved for one person, must be insured and equipped with an operating license. Driving without a helmet is not mandatory, but it is advisable. And the penalties for illegal use can quickly get on the money: If you are traveling with over 0.5 per thousand, you not only risk a fine, but also points in Flensburg. If you drive on the sidewalk, you have to expect punishments from 15 to 30 euros.

The rules have already been introduced in Hamburg: the changeover of a incorrectly parked scooter costs 30 euros, the towing even 100 euros. This measure is intended to create additional incentives to keep the parking of the e-scooters in orderly trains and to enable the pedestrians to walk carefree.

The debate about e-scooter is far from over. It remains to be seen whether the new regulations will actually prove themselves. What is certain, however, is that the discussion about order on the streets will by no means lose relevance and will remain a hot iron in the future.