- I am deeply concerned about the development of accidents on electric scooters and other small electric vehicles and the conflicts with pedestrians that we are seeing. Although we have tightened and clarified the rules, we want to take further steps to ensure safety and accessibility for both road users and other road users. That is why we are now proposing both an alcohol limit and a ban on driving on pavements. And a compulsory helmet for the little ones, as well as the age limit of 12 years. Informs Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide.
Work will begin on changes to the law and regulations in order to tighten the rules
The government has decided that work will begin on changes to the law and regulations in order to tighten the rules for the use of electric scooters and other small electric vehicles. The following proposals need to be studied and sent for consultation:
- Different levels of alcohol limit: 0,2, 0,5 and 0,8
- Ban on footpaths, but open to pedestrian and bicycle paths
- Helmet order for children under 15 years of age
- Age limit of 12 years for use
Different levels of alcohol limit. The current 'fit' requirement is unclear to users
A significant proportion of accidents is related to driving under the influence of alcohol. The current 'fit' requirement is unclear to users and difficult to be effectively enforced by the police, and therefore insufficiently complied with.
- Although local authorities now have the possibility to decide, among other things, what times of the day the rented bikes can be used and that this can reduce the number of drunk driving accidents. Drunk driving remains a national challenge. There is therefore a need to introduce a blood alcohol limit. I think the general alcohol limit of 0,2 is the most obvious, but also 0,5 and 0,8 are important alternatives, says the transport minister.
We want to be able to evaluate different levels of the alcohol limit as well as be able to evaluate other relevant regulations
A faster change in the blood alcohol limit would be possible thanks to the conversion of small electric vehicles to motor vehicles. However, this is not necessarily the most appropriate solution.
- Electric scooters are now classified as bicycles. We believe that neither the bicycle nor motor vehicle laws actually fit for this type of vehicle. We do not reclassify electric scooters as we want to be able to evaluate different levels of the alcohol limit and also be able to evaluate other relevant regulations for such vehicles without being bound by the applicable classification regulations. This is Hareide.
. Pedestrians cannot be made to feel unsafe on the sidewalk
There is a significant and high level of conflict between users electric scooters and pedestrians on sidewalks, especially in the largest cities.
- It cannot be that pedestrians feel unsafe on the pavement. Riding electric scooters on sidewalks should be done in a pedestrianized area, but we see that this assumption is often not followed. Therefore, we will now study the proposal to ban the use of footpaths, but not on footpaths and bicycle paths, says Hareide.
Helmet must be used for children under 15 years of age
About every third injury from riding an electric scooter is a head injury.
- By ordering the use of a helmet by children under the age of 15, we want to provide children with special protection and at the same time facilitate good habits. Such an order will also apply to commercial rental to a small extent, says Hareide.
Age limit 12 years old? Children and young people have a special right to protection
There is currently no age limit for driving small electric vehicles. Accident figures do not indicate that young people are particularly vulnerable to accidents. However, it is well documented that children do not have the same understanding of movement road and the ability to interact in road traffic like adults. This is necessary in the semi-complex traffic environments in which these vehicles are used.
- Although children and young people are not particularly exposed to accidents today, they have a special right to protection. When we also know that children do not have the same understanding of traffic as adults. It is natural that we consider the age limit for using electric scooters, says Hareide.
The Norwegian Public Roads Authority will assist the Ministry of Transport and Communications with a pre-hearing investigation. Efforts are being made to introduce the necessary legislative changes in the spring of 2022.
Several rule changes have entered into force over the past year. The new proposals complement the changes
The new proposals to tighten the regulations complement the changes that entered into force last year. Since the summer of 2020, the government has been working on introducing stricter rules on the use of electric scooters.
From May 18, changes to parking rules, marked zones and speed limits came into force.
In addition, in June 2021, the Storting enacted a new law on the rental of small electric vehicles in public places, which gives municipalities the opportunity to regulate their rental activities.
