Changes in drivers – criticism of Wissing

Berlin. Electric scooters have been allowed for more than five years. Now Transport Minister Wissing wants to change the rules. But there is already criticism.

for Electric scooter use New rules are being planned. Federal Ministry of Transport A draft has been submitted for this purpose. One example is mandatory turn signals. However, it will take some time before the new regulations are implemented. The plan has sparked criticism from pedestrian associations Adak Call for improvement.

The Ministry of Transport submitted a detailed draft Changes to Small Electric Vehicle Regulations This is scheduled to be approved in 2019. On the one hand, it concerns the so-called behavioral regulation – essentially: the regulations for e-scooters should be brought as close as possible to those for bicycles.

E-scooter rules should be aligned with bicycle rules

This means, for example, that drivers of electric scooters should also do the same in the future Bicyclists Green arrows can be used at red traffic lights. According to the ministry, the draft also proposes that opening sidewalks or pedestrian areas with additional “No Ride” signs also apply to e-scooters. As before, walking speed must be maintained during such releases and special attention should be paid to the flow of people.

These codes of conduct have a Transition period The ministry explained that the new regulations should take effect in April 2025, but the regulations in line with cycling will not come into effect until a year later.

For example, during this transition period, municipalities could examine whether sidewalks or pedestrian areas are prohibited for cycling. Small electric car The ministry noted that if it should be pronounced. The responsible local authorities can then decide whether to allow e-scooters on individual sidewalks open to bicycles.

Association complains: Visin doesn’t care about pedestrians

Foot associations generally talk about “Brutal attack“For people who are walking. Transport Minister Volker Wiesing (FDP) He wants to allow e-scooters on more sidewalks and in more pedestrian zones, and he wants to scrap the previously required minimum distance of 1.5 metres from pedestrians when overtaking. Rental e-scooters in particular are often driven in a dangerous and chaotic manner. Wissing also wants to consolidate parking chaos by incorporating parking rights for e-scooters into road traffic regulations. Instead, after a transition period at the beginning of 2026, e-scooters will only be allowed to be parked on sidewalks in marked areas, Fuss said.

Newly registered electric scooters should also be new Mandatory use of turn signals It is mandatory. According to the draft, this should be implemented from the beginning of 2027. According to market analysis, there is a trend that more and more new vehicles will have the indicator as standard equipment.

E-scooters: ADAC misses out on victim protection

Backed by science Federal Highway Research Institute Regarding e-scooters, it is said that many users find it unsafe to indicate a change of direction with their hands. The German Road Safety Council has welcomed the fact that new vehicles should be equipped with mandatory turn signals in the future. On e-scooters, the gesture of holding the handlebars with only one hand could lead to unstable driving.

From the ADAC’s perspective, a core question remains unresolved: Victim protection so far lackingA spokesman said that because e-scooters have a maximum speed of 20km/h, they are not currently subject to strict liability. “Therefore, anyone injured by an e-scooter through no fault of their own will have to prove personal fault on the part of the e-scooter driver in order to be compensated by their insurance company.”

Many accidents involve e-scooters — and the trend is increasing

The number of deaths and injuries from e-scooter accidents doubled last year. According to the Federal Statistical Office, 22 people died on German roads in 2022, including 11 fatalities.

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In general, the federal territory has 9,425 e-scooter accidentsin which people were injured. This is an increase of 14.1% over the previous year. The federal office listed the wrong use of the road or sidewalk as the most common cause of accidents. Driving under is almost as common Effects of alcohol Causes of accidents. A large number of accidents occur in large cities.

E-scooters: TÜV welcomes change

He told the TÜV Association Head of Vehicles and MobilityRichard Goebelt said there was a need to improve the safety and acceptance of e-scooters, especially given their growing popularity.

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In particular, in order to improve the operational safety of e-scooters, it is essential to adapt the technical requirements of the vehicles. Gobert mentioned the introduction of indicators such as Enhanced battery testing Or independent front and rear wheel brakes.

States and associations have until August 9 to comment on the draft transportation Department Take. And Federal Council The changes must then be agreed. (dpa/fmg)