E-scooter regulations and safety measures tighten in Turkey and Germany

Governments in Turkey and Germany are addressing safety concerns and regulatory gaps regarding the increasing use of electric scooters in urban areas.

In Turkey, existing regulations prohibit e-scooter use on sidewalks, highways, and roads with speed limits exceeding 50 km/h. Users are also forbidden from carrying passengers, transporting heavy loads, or riding more than two scooters side-by-side in a single lane. Drivers have called for increased enforcement to mitigate risks caused by unpredictable scooter movements in traffic.

Germany has announced new regulations set to take effect in 2027 in response to a 27% increase in accidents involving injuries. New technical requirements will mandate signal lights on all newly approved models and implement stricter battery safety standards. Additionally, fines for riding on sidewalks will increase from 15 to 25 euros, and the penalty for carrying multiple passengers will rise from 5 to 25 euros. These changes aim to align e-scooter rules more closely with bicycle regulations.