Germany imposes strict liability on e‑scooter rental firms

The German Bundestag approved a legislative amendment that introduces a fault‑independent liability regime for shared electric‑scooter operators. Rental companies such as Lime and Bolt will be held financially responsible for accident damages even when the rider cannot be identified, and they are presumed liable unless they can prove otherwise. The rule covers self‑balancing micro‑mobility vehicles but excludes e‑bikes. It follows a sharp rise in e‑scooter incidents, with accidents increasing from roughly 4,000 in 2021 to nearly 8,000 in 2024, and third‑party damage claims climbing from about 1,150 to 5,000 annually. Although rental scooters represented only about 20 % of insured vehicles in 2023, they accounted for roughly 40 % of claims. In parallel, the German Society for Children and Adolescent Surgery called for a ban on e‑scooter use by children under 14, citing a growing number of injuries among minors. The liability reform aligns with actions taken in other European cities, where Paris, Madrid, Prague and Brussels have introduced bans or stricter licensing for shared scooters.