In fact a large majority of countries are regulating e-scooter usage by allotting them the same liberties as bicycles. For instance limiting their usage to bike lanes or roadways and prohibiting them from sidewalks. Other countries, like the UK, have banned them outright and give the strictest of provisions. Each country has a specific set of regulations around e-scooter usage or non-usage. Below is a chart that provides a quick overview of the European countries (Including Israel and the UK) and their respective e-scooter legislation. To get more specific information please check with local laws for your respective country.
Key:
N/A = Countries in yellow or marked N/A dignify that no legislation in this country has been passed regarding the legality of e-scooter usage OR legislation regarding electric scooter usage is in progress.
NL = Countries in red or marked NL signify that e-scooters are illegal and legislation has been passed to dignify their illegality
L = Countries in green or marked L signify that e-scooters are legal on the streets
Albania
N/A
No Laws
Andorra
N/A
No Laws
Armenia
N/A
No Laws
Austria
L
Limited to bike lanes
Azerbaijan
N/A
No Laws
Belarus
N/A
No laws
Belgium
L
Same laws as bikes
Bosnia and Herzegovina
L
Same laws as bikes
Bulgaria
L
Limited to bike lanes
Croatia
L
Same laws as bikes
Cyprus
Legislation in process Ride sharing requires 18+ YO
Czech Republic
L
Limited to bike lanes
Denmark
L
Limited to bike lanes
Estonia
N/A
Legislation
Finland
L
Same laws as bikes
France
L
Must be 12YO and cannot ride on pavement
Georgia
L
Must be 14YO can ride on pavements, roads, and bike lanes
Germany
L
Limited to bike lanes and roads must be 14YO
Great Britain
NL
Can only be used on private land
Greece
L
Helmets are mandatory
Hungary
N/A
Legislation in progress
Iceland
L
Same laws as bikes
Ireland
N/A
Legal gray area
Israel
L
Same laws as bikes
Italy
L
Same laws as bikes
Kazakhstan
N/A
No laws
Latvia
N/A
No laws
Liechtenstein
N/A
No laws
Lithuania
L
Additional laws in progress
Luxemburg
N/A
No laws however they are permitted
North Macedonia
L
Permitted on roads
Malta
L
Permitted on roads
Moldova
N/A
No laws
Monaco
NL
Not legal
Montenegro
N/A
Legislation in progress
Netherlands
L
Legal within specific guidelines
Norway
L
Same laws as bikes
Poland
L
Same laws as bikes
Portugal
L
Bike lanes and helmets required
Romania
L
Must be 14YO; bike lanes only
Russia
L
Same laws as bikes
San Marino
N/A
No laws
Serbia
N/A
Legislation in progress
Slovakia
L
Same laws as bikes
Slovenia
L
Same laws as bikes
Spain
L
Cannot ride on pavement, circulation certificates & insurance needed, must wear reflective vests
Sweden
L
Same laws as bikes
Switzerland
L
Same laws as bikes
Turkey
N/A
No laws
Ukraine
N/A
No laws
Regulation and legislation measures vary internationally. In many countries where legislation has not yet passed, e-scooters are technically illegal. Europe has widely legalized e-scooter usage whereas places like Jakarta, Singapore, and Shanghai, still ban scooter usage on roads and pavements entirely. Paris, for instance, has banned riding and parking e-scooters on pavements whereas other cities, like Sweden, Italy, Switzerland allow it. There are a lot of question marks around e-scooter usage and ownership given the diverse landscape of legislation from country to country.
Here are the most common questions that owners and users have about electric scooters:
Are electric scooters safe?
Are electric scooters legal?
Are electric scooters easy to ride?
How do electric scooters work?
How to use an electric scooter?
Are electric scooters reliable?
Are electric scooters good for commuting?
Are electric scooters good for last-mile transport?
Are electric scooters environmentally friendly?
Can you ride electric scooters at night?
Can electric scooters be used manually?
Is an electric scooter worth it?
Will an electric scooter save you money?
How much do electric scooters cost?
How much does a good electric scooter cost?
How much does it cost to charge an electric scooter?
How long does it take to charge an electric scooter?
How often should you charge an electric scooter?
Should you buy or rent an electric scooter?
When and why should you buy an electric scooter?
As with any new acquired skill as long as you follow the corresponding important safety tips, you will be perfectly safe:
1. Always wear a helmet
2. Respect your local traffic laws
3. Wear all the safety gear you have
4. Don’t drink or do drugs before riding
5. Never ride too fast
6. Turn carefully
7. Check that your tires are sufficiently inflated and in good shape
8. Make sure all your brake systems work
9. Make sure you have enough battery to get where you need to go
10. Stay focused on your ride
11. Avoid riding in the rain, snow or wet weather
12. Avoid ice or slippery surfaces
13. Avoid pedestrian areas
14. Avoid heavy traffic
15. Ride as the manual instructs
16. Only ride by yourself
17. Always use your lights at night
With electric scooters people around the World can enjoy last-mile transport in a fun, easy way. Even then, not all countries and governments agree on the outlook of electric scooters in their cities. Our best advice is when using mobility devices, follow the local laws. Safety is the top priority for yourself and for others. Wear protective gear, especially a helmet, as it may save your life. If you’re unsure about the legality of scooters within an area check with the local ordinance first before using your personal micromobility device.
