Vendor fees for roller skates will increase
In a bid to improve the urban mobility landscape and ensure the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, a new e-scooter management strategy is being considered in several German cities. This strategy, which could serve as a model for other urban areas, is designed to strike a balance between convenience and pedestrian rights.
The strategy includes several key components aimed at regulating e-scooter usage effectively. One of the primary changes involves increased fees and authorization for e-scooter parking. Under the new regulations, rental e-scooters will be classified as a special use under road traffic law, requiring explicit authorization from local municipalities. This means that operators will need to collaborate with cities to develop local concepts for parking e-scooters, and parking may become subject to charges or fees imposed by authorities.
Number limitations and controlled use are also integral to the strategy. While the exact numerical limits are yet to be specified, municipalities will gain authority to regulate the quantity and distribution of shared e-scooters to better manage public space and reduce pedestrian conflicts.
Designated parking zones are another crucial aspect of the new regulations. The aim is to harmonize e-scooter parking with cycling rules but tighten restrictions for rental vehicles by prohibiting parking on pavements and pedestrian zones without proper authorization. Cities are encouraged to create clearly established e-scooter parking areas or hubs to improve parking compliance and reduce sidewalk clutter.
The regulations also seek to prevent e-scooters from being parked in ways that obstruct pedestrian traffic, curb ramps, and other critical access points. In Zone A, which includes Old Town, Carlstadt, and the City, e-scooter stations will be spaced an average of no more than 150 meters apart to facilitate easy access and reduce clutter.
To further improve safety and accessibility, the number of e-scooters in the city center will be limited. In Zone A, the fleet limit will be based on available parking spaces, which will be set at 1,800. This effectively halves the current number of e-scooters in the city center. Providers' fees in the city center will also increase significantly, from 20 to 50 euros per device and year.
Mobility Commissioner Jochen Kral emphasized the limitation of e-scooters in the city center, stating that the stricter rules are aimed at improving the e-scooter situation. Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller echoed this sentiment, stating that the new regulations are part of a broader effort to achieve a sustainable improvement in the e-scooter situation.
However, the new measures have faced criticism from e-scooter providers, who argue that they could hinder the city's traffic transition. Providers have pointed to successful measures already implemented, such as the creation of parking areas, as evidence of their commitment to responsible e-scooter usage.
The city council has passed a new ordinance on the special use of space, and regular patrols will be conducted for e-scooters. The city is also considering the deployment of personnel to enforce order and the testing of new technical solutions for vehicle tracking.
In summary, the new e-scooter management strategy includes higher fees through authorized parking charges, limits on numbers through local municipal control, and establishment of designated parking zones to improve safety, accessibility, and public order in urban areas. This strategy reflects a shift towards more rigorous regulation of shared e-scooter fleets to balance convenience with pedestrian rights and urban mobility needs.
[1] https://www.stadt-berlin.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/neue-regelungen-fuer-e-scooter-im-stadtgebiet-2391793- [2] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/verkehr/neue-regelungen-fuer-e-scooter-in-berlin-und-koeln-starkere-kontrolle-und-hoere-parkplaetze/26284360.html [3] https://www.welt.de/verkehr/auto/plus18/e-scooter-regelungen-in-berlin-und-koeln-was-geaendert-wird-und-was-bleibt-selbst-reguliert/26281432.html
- The new strategy in managing e-scooters aims to regulate their usage effectively, not only in German cities but potentially in other urban areas as well. This includes increasing fees for parking e-scooters, requiring explicit authorization from local municipalities, and implementing number limitations and controlled use.
- Public transportation, automotive, and finance industries might be affected by the new e-scooter regulations, as shared e-scooter fleets will be subject to stricter regulations aimed at improving the balance between convenience and pedestrian rights.
- The increased fees for e-scooter parking and the significant rise in fees for providers in the city center could potentially divert funds from the automotive and finance industries towards public-transit improvements, contributing to a more sustainable urban mobility landscape.
