E-scooters are slowly becoming dangerous vehicles on German roads. The number of accidents involving e-scooters is rising steadily, especially in the summer months when the weather is ideal for riding them. For this and other reasons, few modes of transport divide the nation as much as e-scooters. The automated descendants of kickboards could be a real asset and make road traffic easier. However, this would require some users to start understanding that ‘small’ is not synonymous with anarchy.
Use repeatedly causes trouble
E-scooters are popular rental vehicles. In Germany, the number rose to 210,000 in 2023. The disadvantage for the majority of the population with rented e-scooters, however, is that they do not have to be returned to a rental station like a classic rental car. After use, they can be left where the need for use ends. Unfortunately, it is often the case that the parking spaces are cycle paths, footpaths or other areas that are actually rather inconvenient. In Berlin and Paris, discontent with e-scooters parked in such a disruptive manner led to scooters being thrown into the Seine or the Spree with increasing frequency.
Another annoyance, and this brings us closer to the actual topic of ‘accidents involving e-scooters’, is their use. Pavements and pedestrian zones are often used for travelling on these speedy scooters, which is prohibited and risky enough for pedestrians and scooter riders alike.
Different age requirements for rental and ownership
It is not uncommon for youthful exuberance to play a role in the cause of accidents. While the legal age is a prerequisite for renting an e-scooter, privately owned e-scooters can be ridden from the age of 14. Without wishing to offend young people, the concept of responsibility is not yet very well developed at this age. Furthermore, the fact that it is prohibited to carry a second person on the scooter may be interpreted by some users as a suggestion for behaviour rather than a legal regulation.
Imbalance in accident distribution between rental and privately owned scooters
According to the German Insurance Association (GdV), there is a huge imbalance in accident distribution. Although rental scooters account for only 20 percent of the total fleet in Germany, they are involved in 39 percent of accidents. In other figures, there were 0.9 accidents per 100 rental scooters in 2023, compared to only 0.4 per 100 privately owned scooters (source: GdV). The GdV makes a clear distinction between scooter owners and those who rent scooters. Owners are over 30 years old, ride almost daily, use roads and cycle paths, and wear helmets. Renters are young, occasional riders, do not wear helmets, and often ride illegally on pavements.
Young riders more frequently involved in accidents
According to Tagesschau, over 50 per cent of those involved in accidents were younger than 25. Incorrect use of cycle paths and footpaths was identified as the cause in 21 per cent of accidents, alcohol in 12 per cent (compared to 8 per cent of alcohol-related accidents involving cyclists). Thirty percent of accidents were classified as ‘single-vehicle accidents,’ while over 50 percent were caused by collisions with other road users.
Lack of routine often causes accidents
The fact that e-scooters can be rented for a relatively low price – the activation fee is around one euro and the usage fee is between 18 and 25 pence per minute – makes them an attractive alternative to late running and crowded buses and trains on public transport. A ticket for a short journey on the Rhine-Main Transport Association, for example, costs €2.35 in comparison, and in very rare cases does it take you directly to your destination. In this case, the scooter is cheaper, runs around the clock and stops right at your destination. However, those who only use an e-scooter occasionally clearly have little practice. This may change over time, as the number of privately owned e-scooters is expected to increase by almost 35 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
