Several major cities in North Rhine-Westphalia are pressing both federal and state governments for a new legal framework to combat unsafe traffic practices and the improper use of e-scooters. According to the “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung,” the executive board of the Cities’ Day NRW has agreed on several stricter regulations.
One key demand is the introduction of a “knowledge and competence certificate” for operating an e-scooter. Christian Schuchardt, the managing director of Cities’ Day NRW, stated that riders should first prove they are aware of fundamental traffic rules and associated risks, noting that the current situation in the cities necessitates this change. He explained that dangerous situations and sometimes severe accidents involving e-scooters frequently injure pedestrians and cyclists.
Schuchardt also emphasized the need for greater safety on sidewalks and streets within urban areas, insisting that electric scooter users must exercise consideration for others. The authorities are also concerned about the self-endangerment displayed by many scooter users. For instance, in Essen, a 39-year-old recently died from an accident without external provocation.
The seriousness of the problem is reflected in the data: in 2025, approximately 3,900 people in NRW were injured or, in rare cases, killed in e-scooter accidents. This represents a significant rise of about 50 percent compared to the previous year’s figures, and this level of accident increase has not been seen in any other traffic sector. Tragically, some victims included children under 14, who are not permitted to use e-scooters.
In addition to individual driver requirements, Cities’ Day NRW is demanding that rented scooters be required to provide a mandatory digital safety briefing before the initial ride, perhaps delivered directly through the provider’s application. Furthermore, they suggest that automatic speed limits should be enforced in heavily frequented pedestrian zones, a function already implemented in some cities.
The municipalities are also looking for solutions regarding the chaotic way e-scooters are abandoned across the city landscape. Schuchardt called for more mechanisms to regulate the commercial offering of scooters locally, stating that clear rules must be established regarding where they can be parked and the maximum number of vehicles allowed on the streets.
These municipal concerns are supported by Interior Minister for NRW, Herbert Reul (CDU), who had already advocated for stricter safety regulations earlier in the spring. Reul expressed alarm after reviewing the latest traffic accident statistics, citing the dangers posed by drunk driving, carrying multiple passengers, and ignoring basic traffic rules.
