Walking to work last week, I had an older gentleman (maybe in his late 60s) on an e-scooter hit my shoulder as he went past. As I watched him on the footpath weave between people walking, I was both impressed that he was out there without a care in the world but also concerned that it was a serious safety issue for pedestrians...and for himself.
With E-scooters improving in popularity in urban areas, and the ecofriendly benefits promoted, their rapid adoption has prompted cities worldwide to establish regulations to ensure safety, compliance, and integration into existing transport systems.
This got me thinking what are current regulations and how are countries such as New Zealand responding - Especially as there is pressure from Government Agencies such as NZTA to regulate!
Below is a high-level summary of regulatory options.
1. Speed and Usage Limits
A large number of cities are imposing speed restrictions to enhance rider safety as well as pedestrian safety. Key examples:
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United States – Cities like Los Angeles cap e-scooter speeds at 15 mph (roughly 25km).
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France – Paris limits speeds to 20 km/h and enforces 10 km/h zones in high-pedestrian areas.
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Singapore – A strict cap of 25 km/h is set for public areas.
2. Licensing and Registration
Interestingly several country or state governments have gone down the registration path. In short, they require riders to hold permits or register their scooters:
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Germany – Riders must have insurance and display an official registration plate.
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Japan – E-scooters are regulated as motorized bicycles, requiring a driving license.
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Dubai (UAE) – A mandatory e-scooter permit is needed for riding in designated zones.
Great idea, but not sure how well that would work in my home country of New Zealand
3. Road Use and Infrastructure
One of the most common approaches is managing the use of road space. An example of this is where countries enforce specific lane usage rules:
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United Kingdom – E-scooters are only permitted on roads with rental schemes, banning private scooters from public highways.
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Australia – Most states allow e-scooters on bike lanes, avoiding pedestrian areas.
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Netherlands – Regulations require integration with cycling infrastructure, keeping scooters off sidewalks.
4. Age and Helmet Requirements
Safety regulations are also another option, generally focusing on rider age and helmet mandates:
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Spain – Minimum age for e-scooter use is 16 years, with a helmet requirement in certain regions.
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South Korea – Helmet use is compulsory, regardless of age.
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California (USA) – Riders under 18 must wear helmets.
From a safety perspective I feel this should be a given in ALL countries!
5. Parking and Geofencing
This is quite interesting, and I know for those who are vision impaired, poor e-scooter parking is a major issue.
In several countries, to prevent sidewalk clutter and unauthorized usage and improve safety, controlled parking areas are enforced. These include:
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France – Paris banned sidewalk parking, requiring scooters to be parked in designated zones.
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Belgium – Cities like Brussels enforce geofencing, restricting e-scooter operations in pedestrian-heavy districts.
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New Zealand – Local councils manage drop-off locations to avoid congestion in high-foot-traffic areas.
Brining it all to together
The regulation of e-scooters varies significantly across countries, reflecting diverse urban mobility priorities. While some nations embrace tighter control through licensing and speed restrictions, others focus on infrastructure integration and safety measures.
As e-scooters continue to evolve, regulations will likely adapt to balance innovation with safety, sustainability, and citywide harmony.
The key question is this: What will work in your jurisdiction?
Til Next Time,
Andrew
P.S. Was nice to spend Mothers Day with my lovely wife and two of our children. We took K to a Mothers Day Yoga Class with some great breakfast afterwards - and a local plug for Oat Bros which put the Breakfast on! Was a great event! Oat Bros — Made Market
And http://www.thebreathingroom.co.nz/
Transit Trends · Andrew Collings, KA Advisory. Read and comment on the original on LinkedIn.
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