Germany reports sharp rise in e‑scooter crashes and deaths

In 2025 Germany experienced a substantial increase in e‑scooter accidents. In the state of Hessen alone, police recorded 505 crashes involving injured riders—a 39 % jump from the previous year—and 1,011 people were injured, with young adults and children most affected. Nationwide, the Federal Statistical Office reported 18,079 e‑scooter accidents, of which 1,895 resulted in serious injuries and 16,184 in minor injuries. The year also saw 38 fatalities, 33 of them self‑inflicted.

The surge prompted federal and state authorities to tighten safety regulations. Riders must be at least 14 years old, are limited to 20 km/h, may not carry a passenger, and must stay off sidewalks, using bike lanes or the road instead. Alcohol limits mirror those for cars, with penalties beginning at 0.5 ‰. New liability rules make the holder of the scooter responsible for damages, extending to private users and rental providers, and require proof of non‑fault to avoid liability. These changes are expected to raise insurance costs for operators and users.

Officials stress the importance of helmets, defensive driving, and visibility to reduce the high injury risk associated with the small wheels, high centre of gravity, and rapid acceleration of modern e‑scooters.