Hamburg wants to slow down e-scooters in pedestrian zones: The Hanseatic city is committed to stricter rules for small electric vehicles and is submitting a corresponding proposal to the transport ministers' conference that begins on Wednesday. The application aims, among other things, at more effective rules for e-scooters, manipulated Pedelecs and more security for bicycle delivery services, said Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks (Greens) of the German Press Agency.
The number of accidents with injuries in traffic is at an unacceptable level, and an increase in accidents involving small electric vehicles as well as e-bikes and pedelecs can be observed. Pedestrians and cyclists in particular need to be better protected.
“While cities have been working for years to make their streets safer, new vehicle types, digital business models and technical manipulations pose additional risks,” said Tjarks. “E-scooters, Pedelecs, fat bikes, delivery platforms and assistance systems are rapidly changing road traffic - but many rules date from a time when these developments played no role or a completely different role.”
This would create security gaps. “We fundamentally welcome the new forms of transport and the additional opportunities they open up for mobility, participation and modern services and want to make them possible,” said the Green politician. This is precisely why the legal framework must keep pace with this development and be adapted more quickly to new realities.
Tjarks had already emphasized in August that e-scooters are definitely needed. There are around 15 million trips per year. This shows a “relevant and real demand”. At the same time, he acknowledged problems and annoyances with the e-scooters. “Innovation must not fail because the rules are implemented too slowly - but it must be designed safely, fairly and responsibly,” said Tjarks.
Oslo as a model for Hamburg
Hamburg is therefore committed to ensuring that e-scooters automatically drive more slowly in certain areas or can be stopped completely if necessary. This is made possible by so-called geofencing: The vehicles use their location to recognize when they reach a pedestrian zone or another heavily visited area and automatically reduce their speed there.
Technically this is already possible. However, according to Tjarks, approval regulations have so far prevented such use in Germany. Hamburg therefore wants to ensure that the federal government quickly creates the conditions for a general operating license for e-scooters with geo-referenced automatic speed reduction.
Tjarks had already described what this could look like in the summer after a visit to Norway. In Oslo, e-scooters can automatically throttle in certain zones. According to him, the speed on the forecourt of the royal palace is limited to seven kilometers per hour. Even areas into which e-scooters are not supposed to enter could be technically blocked accordingly.
Tjarks can also imagine such possibilities for areas in Hamburg that are particularly heavily frequented by pedestrians. In August he cited Spitaler Straße as an example. There it could make sense to either automatically slow down e-scooters or technically prevent them from entering altogether. Speed limits could also be enforced around the town hall in this way.
Action against manipulated Pedelecs
“We also demand decisive action against manipulated Pedelecs,” said Tjarks. It becomes problematic if e-bikes, pedelecs or fat bikes can travel faster than permitted or without pedaling. Fat bikes, some of which look like small motorcycles due to their design, are also used in delivery services. It is important to find joint solutions with the bicycle industry in order to increase safety. In addition, when importing such vehicles, it must be ensured that they comply with the safety and registration requirements applicable in Germany.
“We need clear rules, effective controls and modern technology to keep pace with developments on our roads and to ensure the long-term safety of all road users,” said Tjarks.
Further rules for new e-scooter contracts
In addition to the projects currently discussed at the transport ministers' conference, Hamburg also wants to make adjustments elsewhere for e-scooters. According to Tjarks, the contracts with rental providers on public spaces run until the end of 2027. If they are renegotiated, additional technical specifications could play a role. The main issue here is the prohibited riding of two people on a scooter.
Tjarks pointed out in August that e-scooters were often used illegally by more than one person at the same time. Internationally there are already developments that can technically prevent this. If these possibilities become clear, Hamburg would like to consider including corresponding requirements in the new contracts with the providers.
