Motorized scooter#E-scooters

File:Autoped 1919 Ever Ready 1.jpg

• File:Lady Florence Norman.jpg on Autoped motor-scooter in 1916]]1915: Autoped introduces its stand-up scooter. Pulling back on the handlebar disengaged the clutch and applied the brake. Production continued until 1921; Krupp of Germany built the Autoped under license from 1919 to 1922.
• 1986: Go-Ped introduces the first modern stand-up scooters, the Roadster and Sport.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
• May 2001: Go-Ped introduces the first full-suspension stand-up e-scooter, the Hoverboard.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
• 2004: Evo Powerboards introduces the 2x, the first scooter with a two-speed transmission.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
• November 2009: Go-Ped introduces its first completely propane-powered scooter and go-kart, the GSR Pro-Ped and GSR Pro-Quad.{{Cite web |last=Inc |first=UrbanScooters com |title=Go-Ped GSR Pro-Ped Cruiser Propane Powered Gas Scooter |url=https://www.prlog.org/11117508-go-ped-gsr-pro-ped-cruiser-propane-powered-gas-scooter.html |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=PRLog}}
• 2009: Italian-Israeli designer Nimrod Ricardo Sapir designs the world's first folding e-scooter based on his patent.{{Cite patent|number=WO2010140143A1|title=Folding wheel mechanism for vehicle|gdate=2010-12-09|invent1=Sapir|inventor1-first=Riccardo Nimrod|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2010140143A1/en}}
• 2010: Nimrod Ricardo Sapir starts producing the world's first motorized folding e-scooter utilizing lithium-ion batteries and a brushless hub motor under the MyWay brand{{Cite web |date=2010-09-19 |title=ה I-PHONE של הקורקינטים |url=https://wheel.co.il/ה-i-phone-של-הקורקינטים/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=Wheel חדשות ומבצעי רכב |language=he-IL}} in Avihayil, Israel, renamed Inokim in 2013 and later moving production to Ningbo, China.
• 2013: Light electric folding scooters powered by rechargeable lithium batteries and brushless hub motors become available from Micro Mobility Systems AG.{{Cite web |title=Micro Mobility Scooter Worldwide |url=https://www.micro-mobility.com/en/experience-micro/micro-mobility/micro-mobility |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=www.micro-mobility.com |language=en}}
• 2018: Dockless scooter-sharing systems are rolled out in major cities, largely as expansions of bike-sharing systems.{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Melia |title=Electric scooters for grown-ups are taking over San Francisco, and tech workers are annoyed |website=Business Insider |date=2018-04-02 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/electric-scooters-take-over-san-francisco-2018-4 |access-date=2018-06-03}}

{{Main|E-scooter}}

File:Vosh, Stockholm ( 1090722).jpg

File:Electric scooters, Warszawska Street in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland, August 2020.jpg, Poland]]

Motorized kick scooters are used in law enforcement, security patrolling{{cite news |last=Kaminer |first=Ariel |title=To Serve and Protect, Perched on 3 Wheels |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/nyregion/24critic.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=15 November 2012 |date=22 October 2010}}{{cite web |title=Pentagon Deploys T3 Series Clean Energy, Electric Stand-up Vehicle for Perimeter Security |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/06/idUS205457+06-Jan-2011+PRN20110106 |work=T3 Motion, Inc. |publisher=Reuters |access-date=15 November 2012 |date=6 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130204158/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/06/idUS205457+06-Jan-2011+PRN20110106 |archive-date=30 January 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}} and leisure. New ride-sharing systems have made e-scooters easily accessible. They are popular in urban areas and are used as an alternative to bicycling or walking.{{Cite web |last=Alimp |first=Danko |date=2021-01-21 |title=How to Make Commuting Fast and Fun with an Electric Scooter - 2022 Guide |url=https://www.pensacolavoice.com/commuting-fast-and-fun-with-electric-scooter/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=PensacolaVoice Magazine 2022 |language=en-US}} Ride sharing companies first started dropping these scooters off in large US cities in 2018, and the need for short distance easy access transportation in many cities has meant that they have become increasingly popular with more and more companies looking to join the market.{{cite magazine |url=https://nabiboards.com|title=The Love of the People Isn't Enough to Keep Shared Electric Scooters Rolling |magazine=WIRED |access-date=2018-10-26}}

E-scooters, and other electric vehicles, have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions which are a cause of global warming, and other pollutants, if they are used to replace travel in vehicles with internal combustion engines. Potential environmental benefits depend upon how scooters are used: if they replace car journeys they may be beneficial, but not if they replace walked or cycled journeys. Manufacture of the batteries, in particular, requires resources, and they are often not recycled. Lime estimated that globally one in four trips on its scooters replaced a car journey.{{Cite report|url=https://www.polisnetwork.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ERTRAC-Workshop-10.18.2019-Fanny-Brulebois-Lime.pdf|title=How micromobility is transforming urban mobility|publisher=Lime|date=20 April 2022}} A December 2021 Swiss research paper{{cite journal | last1=Reck | first1=Daniel J. | last2=Martin | first2=Henry | last3=Axhausen | first3=Kay W. | title=Mode choice, substitution patterns and environmental impacts of shared and personal micro-mobility | journal=Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment | publisher=Elsevier BV | volume=102 | year=2022 | issn=1361-9209 | doi=10.1016/j.trd.2021.103134|doi-access=free | page=103134| bibcode=2022TRPD..10203134R | hdl=20.500.11850/522641 | hdl-access=free }} found that privately owned e-scooters tended to replace car journeys, but rented e-scooters emitted more CO₂ than the transport modes they replaced.

E-scooters are a potentially environmentally friendly alternative personal mode of transportation that has appeal in urban settings and for short distances. However, they are not exempt from the vulnerabilities users may encounter in road traffic injuries similar to exposures pedestrians and bicyclists have shared the roads.{{cite journal |last1=Xu |first1=Jun |last2=Shang |first2=Shi |last3=Yu |first3=Guizhen |last4=Qi |first4=Hongsheng |last5=Wang |first5=Yunpeng |last6=Xu |first6=Shucai |date=2016-02-01 |title=Are electric self-balancing scooters safe in vehicle crash accidents? |journal=Accident Analysis & Prevention |volume=87 |pages=102–116 |doi=10.1016/j.aap.2015.10.022 |issn=0001-4575 |pmid=26656151}} For example, Israel has seen over 120,000 imports of e-bike and e-scooters over a two-year period, but due to poor cycling infrastructure, cyclists are often forced onto pedestrian sidewalks, and pedestrians use bike lanes and thus increase the risk of traffic collision.{{cite journal |last1=Siman-Tov |first1=Maya |last2=Radomislensky |first2=Irina |last3=Israel Trauma Group |last4=Peleg |first4=Kobi |date=3 April 2017 |title=The casualties from electric bike and motorized scooter road accidents |journal=Traffic Injury Prevention |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=318–323 |doi=10.1080/15389588.2016.1246723 |issn=1538-957X |pmid=28166412|s2cid=205885834 }} A 2022 review of medical notes found that injury rates due to e-scooters were more like those of motorcycles than bicycles.{{cite journal | last1=Ioannides | first1=Kimon L. H. | last2=Wang | first2=Pin-Chieh | last3=Kowsari | first3=Kamran | last4=Vu | first4=Vu | last5=Kojima | first5=Noah | last6=Clayton | first6=Dayna | last7=Liu | first7=Charles | last8=Trivedi | first8=Tarak K. | last9=Schriger | first9=David L. | last10=Elmore | first10=Joann G. | editor-last=Saha | editor-first=Sriparna | title=E-scooter related injuries: Using natural language processing to rapidly search 36 million medical notes | journal=PLOS ONE | publisher=Public Library of Science (PLoS) | volume=17 | issue=4 | date=6 April 2022 | issn=1932-6203 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0266097|pmid=35385532 |doi-access=free| page=e0266097| pmc=8985928 | bibcode=2022PLoSO..1766097I }}{{Cite news |title='I know they're exciting – but calm down!' Britain's love-hate affair with the e-scooter |last=Kale |first=Sirin |newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 April 2022 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/apr/27/i-know-theyre-exciting-but-calm-down-britains-love-hate-affair-with-the-e-scooter}}

In Europe, where e-scooters are usually limited to 20 and 25 km/h, in 2022, shared e-scooter casualties requiring medical treatment is estimated between 1.5 and 20.6 per million trips.https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/6ed38dab-eb7c-42e0-a4a7-06bdd20677ec_en?filename=ERSO-TR-PersonalMobilityDevices-20241217.pdf

As availability and demand for e-scooters increases, with more powerful versions capable of reaching up to 50 miles per hour, the number of traffic accident cases has increased. Israel witnessed a six-fold increase of e-bike and e-scooter accidents over a span of three years, and China found a four-fold increase in injury rate and a six-fold increase in mortality rates. However, significant gaps remain in the knowledge about the safety measures and impact of e-scooters. A particular cause of accidents is the instability of vehicles with such small wheels when, for example, hitting a pothole.

File:NYC-eScooter-2021-Accident.png

As e-scooters become more popular in urban and high traffic settings, user safety poses a major concern alongside other health risks for drivers,{{Clarify|reason=riders?|date=August 2021}} pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children sharing the road. A study conducted in China assessed risky behaviors of e-bike, e-scooter, and bicycle riders at crossing signalized intersections and found three different types of risky behaviors including stopping beyond the stop line, riding in motor lanes, and riding against traffic.{{cite journal |last1=Bai |first1=Lu |last2=Liu |first2=Pan |last3=Guo |first3=Yanyong |last4=Yu |first4=Hao |date=2015-01-15 |title=Comparative Analysis of Risky Behaviors of Electric Bicycles at Signalized Intersections |journal=Traffic Injury Prevention |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=424–428 |doi=10.1080/15389588.2014.952724 |issn=1538-9588 |pmid=25133656|s2cid=22731033 }} A study of 2014-2020 UCLA-affiliated hospitals and outpatient center visits found that e-scooter injury rates in Greater Los Angeles area were similar to those of motorcycles, with about 33% of victims needing extensive follow-up care. However, the fatality rate was comparable to pedal bikes.{{Cite journal |last1=Ioannides |first1=Kimon L. H. |last2=Wang |first2=Pin-Chieh |last3=Kowsari |first3=Kamran |last4=Vu |first4=Vu |last5=Kojima |first5=Noah |last6=Clayton |first6=Dayna |last7=Liu |first7=Charles |last8=Trivedi |first8=Tarak K. |last9=Schriger |first9=David L. |last10=Elmore |first10=Joann G. |date=2022-04-06 |title=E-scooter related injuries: Using natural language processing to rapidly search 36 million medical notes |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=e0266097 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0266097 |doi-access=free |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=8985928 |pmid=35385532|bibcode=2022PLoSO..1766097I }}

The same study found that those riding e-scooters are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. In specific, e-scooter riders were more likely to ride in motor lanes and ride against the flow of traffic through there is high variability in the types of accidents that occur and can vary based on time of day. Under-reporting poses as additional gaps in knowledge, as minor crashes, for example, tend to be under-reported and thus unaccounted for in overall e-scooter injury prevalence {{cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Hongtai |last2=Cherry |first2=Christopher R. |last3=Su |first3=Fan |last4=Ling |first4=Ziwen |last5=Pannell |first5=Zane |last6=Li |first6=Yanlai|last7=Fu |first7=Zhijian |date=2018-05-25 |title=Underreporting, crash severity and fault assignment of minor crashes in China – a study based on self-reported surveys |journal=International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=30–36 |doi=10.1080/17457300.2018.1476382 |issn=1745-7319 |pmid=29798710|s2cid=44069141 }} and there exist gaps in research on injuries related to e-scooters. Scooter-sharing systems such as Lime or Bird include safety precautions on the scooters themselves, such as: "helmet required, license required, no riding on sidewalks, no double riding, 18+ years old". Apps used to unlock and rent the scooters will also have safety reminders and ask the riders to abide by local laws while using them. However, these recommendations are not always followed, and the difference in laws between cities and states makes regulation difficult.

A consumer association in Belgium tested e-scooters, concluding that a bicycle was preferable, citing many problems with the devices, including in particular battery failure and very poor braking in wet conditions. E-scooters were regulated as toys, without the safety considerations required for vehicles.{{Cite web|url=https://etsc.eu/consumer-test-of-e-scooters-leads-to-get-a-bike-recommendation/|title=Consumer test of e-scooters leads to "get a bike" recommendation|date=9 October 2020|publisher=European Transport Safety Council}}

When electric kick scooters were introduced in Norway, the media reported a high increase in accidents,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/sjokktall-om-el-sparkesykkelulykker-i-oslo-rart-vi-ikke-har-hatt-dodsfall-enna/s/12-95-3424151792|title= Sjokktall om el-sparkesykkelulykker i Oslo: – Rart vi ikke har hatt dødsfall ennå |date=6 July 2021|publisher=Nettavisen}} including several deaths.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/mann-dod-etter-ulykke-pa-el-sparkesykkel/14494445/|title=Mann død etter ulykke på el-sparkesykkel |date=15 January 2022|publisher=TV2}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dagsavisen.no/rogalandsavis/roganytt/2022/03/30/omkom-i-ulykke-mellom-el-sparkesykkel-og-bil/|title=21-åring omkom i ulykke med el-sparkesykkel |date=3 March 2022|publisher=Rogalands Avis}}

In Britain as of late 2021 privately owned e-scooters could not be used on public roads or foot-ways; during a trial from mid-2020 until late 2022 rental scooters could be used on roads, but not foot-ways, by users with an appropriate driving licence. At the time private scooters were widely used, illegally, on foot ways and roads. There were safety concerns—scooter accidents were causing injuries more like motorcycles than pedal cycles.{{Cite news |title=Trial delays put a brake on e-scooter makers' UK ambitions |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 December 2021 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/24/trial-delays-put-a-brake-on-e-scooter-makers-uk-ambitions}}{{Better source needed|date=August 2022}} Privately owned scooters were banned from carriage on London public transport after a spate of battery fires.

{{see also|Personal transporter#Use and regulation by country}}

{{Legal speed limit for electric kick scooters in Europe}}

National regulation differences exist on some aspects, including: usage of the bicycle infrastructure, pavement ban, pavement speed, legal liability insurance, helmet, age, allowed location, top design speed, training.

https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/6ed38dab-eb7c-42e0-a4a7-06bdd20677ec_en?filename=ERSO-TR-PersonalMobilityDevices-20241217.pdf

File:Neuron scooters in Civic during December 2020.jpg

In Queensland, the laws around the use of e-scooters and other personal mobility devices are made and enforced by the state government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devices|title=Rules for personal mobility devices {{!}} Bicycles, skateboards, foot scooters and similar|last=Queensland|first=c=AU; o=The State of|website=www.qld.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2020-03-07}}https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled%20-devices%20/%20personal-mobility-devices{{dead link|date=September 2019}}

While some local governments in Queensland have not allowed Lime Scooter trials, Brisbane City Council is currently undertaking a Lime Scooter trial and has invited tenders for two scooter contracts in the city.

In the ACT, the framework for personal mobility devices was amended to include e-scooters and other similar devices from 20 December 2019, permitting use on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths and the bicycle side of separated paths. Bicycle helmets are required to be worn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1881/~/personal-mobility-device-use-in-the-act|title=Personal mobility device use in the ACT|last=Canberra|first=Access Canberra; PositionTitle=Manager; SectionName=Access Canberra; CorporateName=Access|website=www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29|archive-date=2020-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129101840/https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1881/~/personal-mobility-device-use-in-the-act|url-status=dead}}

Perth became the latest City to announce an e scooter trial, which launched in March 2023.

Electric vehicles with a power up to 600 watts and a speed up to 25 km/h are considered as bicycles.{{cite web |url=https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011336&Artikel=&Paragraf=2&Anlage=&Uebergangsrecht= |title=RIS – Straßenverkehrsordnung 1960 § 2 – Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung |website=www.ris.bka.gv.at |access-date=2019-06-08}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Dokumentnummer=NOR40109500 |title=RIS – Kraftfahrgesetz 1967 § 1 – Bundesrecht konsolidiert |website=www.ris.bka.gv.at |access-date=2019-06-08}}

Belgium's traffic rules were updated on 1 June 2019 to be in line with the European Commission guidelines formed in 2016.{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/18992/attachments/1/translations/en/renditions/pdf |title=Scooters – European commission |date=5 October 2016 |website=European Commission |access-date=15 June 2019}} It became legal for people over 15 years of age to ride electric motorized scooters with speed limited to 25 km/h on public roads, mirroring e-bikes. Protective gear and insurance are not required by law.{{cite web |url=https://doorgelicht.be/beste-elektrische-step|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617144546/https://doorgelicht.be/beste-elektrische-step/|archive-date=17 June 2019|title=Wetgeving elektrische steps België |date=June 2019 |website=www.doorgelicht.be}}

Commuting in Canada with an e-scooter has increased. As power-assisted bicycles, e-scooters must follow many of the same federal laws and regulations, such as being limited to 32 km/h and not being allowed over 500 W output.{{Cite web |date=2014-07-24 |title=Law Document English View |url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/view |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Ontario.ca |language=en}} Ontario has recently unveiled a series of laws aimed at ensuring safety while using electric-kick scooters or, e-scooters. The new laws require all riders to carry a valid driver's license, and those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who also carries a valid driver's license. Riders are now also required to wear an approved helmet when operating their e-scooter and have bright lights installed on the front and back of their vehicles.{{Cite web |title=Electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters) |url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/electric-kick-style-scooters-e-scooters |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=ontario.ca |language=en-CA}}

Since 1 January 2022, helmets are mandatory.{{Cite web|url=https://etsc.eu/several-countries-tighten-e-scooter-rules-as-german-study-finds-huge-underreporting-of-injuries/|title = Several countries tighten e-scooter rules as German study finds huge underreporting of injuries | ETSC}}

In Finland e-scooters must comply with the same rules as bicycles{{Cite web | url = https://www.liikenneturva.fi/ajankohtaista/liikennesaannot-koskevat-myos-sahkopotkulautailijaa/#3f74eb15 | title = Liikennesäännöt koskevat myös sähköpotkulautailijaa | date = 12 April 2022 | accessdate = 1 August 2022 }} and they do not have any age restrictions. However, all e-scooters that have a maximum speed over 25 km/h are classified as small motorcycles and require a motor insurance.{{Cite web | url = https://www.escoot.fi/single-post/2016/04/28/kysymyksi%C3%A4-s%C3%A4hk%C3%B6potkulaudasta-vastaajana-poliisi-1 | title = Kysymyksiä sähköpotkulaudasta, vastaajana poliisi. | date = 28 April 2016| accessdate = }}

Currently France only allows e-scooters on footpaths if they have a maximum speed of {{Convert|6|km/h|mph}}. Those travelling at up to 25 km/h are relegated to bike lanes. Legislators are considering a new law that would force users of e-scooters going faster than {{Convert|25|km/h|mph}} to have a type A1 license—the same as for small motorcycles. The legal framework is very blurry and does not define where e-scooters may or may not be driven or parked. The Deputy Mayor of Paris Christophe Najdovski is lobbying Transport Minister Élisabeth Borne for a clearer framework that would give municipalities the power to tighten the rules on how permits are issued and how authorizations are given to deploy a fleet of e-scooters to operators.{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/escooters-test-europe-antiquated-traffic-rules/ |title=E-scooters test Europe's old traffic rules |date=12 January 2019 |website=www.politico.eu |access-date=24 April 2019}}

French daily newspaper {{Lang|fr|Le Parisien}} found that in 2017, e-scooters and roller skates combined caused 284 injuries and five deaths in France, a 23 percent increase on the previous year.{{cite web |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/les-accidents-de-trottinettes-en-forte-hausse-10-10-2018-7916037.php |title=Les Accidents de Trottinettes en Forte Hausse |date=11 October 2018 |website=www.leparisien.fr |access-date=24 April 2019 |language=fr}} The perception of e-scooters is that they are fast, silent and therefore dangerous, causing many accidents, and the need to legislate is urgent.

In an April 2023 referendum, voters in Paris chose to remove e-scooters from the city after the current vendor contracts expire.[https://www.npr.org/2023/04/03/1167679291/parisians-overwhelmingly-vote-to-expel-e-scooters-from-their-streets Parisians overwhelmingly vote to expel e-scooters from their streets] The ban applies to rental scooters which have been offered by several operators since 2018, although people will still be able to use privately owned contraptions.{{Cite web |last=Serim |first=Sena |title=Paris becomes first European capital to ban electric scooters |url=https://www.trtworld.com/europe/paris-becomes-first-european-capital-to-ban-electric-scooters-14717736 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Paris bids adieu to love-or-hate electric scooters |language=en}}

File:E-Scooter-Verbot.jpg

In April 2019, low-power electric vehicles like e-scooters and segways were added to the regulatory list of vehicles allowed to circulate in the streets. The eKFV was enacted on 15 June 2019.{{cite web | url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ekfv/BJNR075610019.html | title=Verordnung über die Teilnahme von Elektrokleinstfahrzeugen am Straßenverkehr1 (Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge-Verordnung - eKFV) | date=24 July 2024 }}

The regulation limits the maximum speed of these electric vehicles to 20 km/h and restricts them to cycle paths. Their operation requires a motor vehicle insurance and an insurance badge, but a driver's license is not required. Users have to be at least 14 years old.{{cite web |url=https://www.evz.de/en/travelling-motor-vehicles/e-mobility/two-wheelers/e-scooter-regulations.html |title=Country overview: E-scooter regulations in Europe |date=8 November 2023 |website=European Consumer Centre Germany |access-date=18 December 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/elektromobilitaet/e-kleinstfahrzeuge/e-scooter/ |title=E-Scooter: Diese Regeln gelten für Elektro-Tretroller plus geplante Neuregelungen |date=1 August 2024 |website=ADAC |language=de |access-date=18 December 2024 }}

Crash accident are under-reported (74% missing) when counted as declaration to police rather than to the hospital.

The same rules for operating an automobile while intoxicated also apply to electric kick scooters.{{cite news |url=https://www.focus.de/panorama/der-massakriert-sich-gleich-selbst-fahrt-mit-e-scooter-wird-zum-horror-trip-9000-euro-strafe-und-fuehrerschein-entzogen_id_107941231.html |title=Fahrt mit E-Scooter wird zum Horror-Trip: 9000 Euro Strafe und Führerschein entzogen |date=4 June 2022 |first=Göran |last=Schattauer |work=Focus |access-date=7 November 2022 }}

The use of e-scooters and mono-wheels has exploded in Irish urban areas in recent years, with estimated more than 2,000 e-scooters regularly traveling the roads of Dublin.

Under existing road traffic legislation, the use of an e-scooter on public roads is not permitted. According to the Road Traffic Act 1961, all e-scooters are considered to be "mechanically propelled vehicles". Anyone using a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place must have insurance, road tax, and a driving license. However, it is currently not possible to tax or insure e-scooters or electric skateboards.

In March 2019, e-scooter owners started reporting that the Irish police force, the Garda Síochána, had begun regularly seizing e-scooters on the grounds that the owner did not have insurance.{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/gardai-confiscate-electric-scooters-because-law-is-vague-owners-claim-5jjwwl3px |title=Gardaí confiscate electric scooters |date=23 April 2019 |website=The Times |access-date=24 April 2019}} This was despite a Freedom of Information request detailing that the Garda website displayed incorrect information to the public, detailing that e-scooters requiring human power to start would not be considered mechanically propelled vehicles and, as such, would fall outside the remit requiring insurance.{{cite web |url=https://goosed.ie/garda-website-showed-incorrect-information-about-electric-scooters/ |title=Garda Website Showed Incorrect Information About Electric Scooters |date=20 January 2020 |website=www.goosed.ie |access-date=30 May 2020}} The owner groups, such as eScoot.ie, have been publicly vocal, attracting media attention and urging e-scooter owners to sign a petition for lawmakers to legalize the public use of "electric rideables" in Ireland.{{cite web |url=https://news.escoot.ie/legalization-of-escooters-in-ireland/ |title=Petition to legalize the public use of electric rideables in Ireland |date=19 April 2019 |website=www.escoot.ie |access-date=24 April 2019}} Under growing pressure, the Minister for Transport Shane Ross asked the Road Safety Authority to research how e-scooters are regulated in other countries, particularly other EU member states. A decision is to be taken on whether or not to amend existing legislation.{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/law-means-electric-scooters-are-a-non-starter-on-irish-roads-1.3819528 |title=Law means electric scooters are a non-starter on Irish roads |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=9 March 2019 |access-date=24 April 2019}}

In August 2019 the Road Safety Authority submitted a report on the use of e-scooters to Ross. The report is broadly in favour of e-scooters, however a number of significant safety concerns were raised. The Minister have announced a two-month public consultation starting on 1 September 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/d1531c-public-consultation-on-personal-powered-transport/ |title=Public consultation on Personal Powered Transport |date=1 September 2019 |website=www.gov.ie |access-date=4 September 2019}} The main areas of the consultation cover what personal protective equipment should be used, what training should be provided, what safety or certification standards devices should meet, what age restrictions should apply and where the devices can be used publicly.

In February 2021 Communications Minister Eamon Ryan approved draft legislation which will "regularise" e-scooters and electric bikes as commonly accepted means of transport under proposed new vehicle category, to be known as "Powered Personal Transporters" (PPTs), which will not require road tax, insurance or driving license.{{Cite web|title=Government to legalise escooters — no tax, insurance or licence needed|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/government-to-legalise-escooters-no-tax-insurance-or-licence-needed-40037020.html|access-date=2021-02-03|website=independent|date=February 2021 |language=en}}

Japan is removing in July 2023 the requirement for escooter riders to have a driver's license. Scooters can be ridden on pavements where bicycles are allowed as long as they are slower than 6 kph and flash a green light.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-26 |title=Riders of electric kick scooters will not need driver's license from July |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/06/26/national/electric-scooters-license/ |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=The Japan Times |language=en-US}}

Limited numbers of approved e-scooters by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management are permitted to drive on public roads and categorised as 'Bijzondere Bromfiets'. The speed limit is 25km/h. Insurance, driving license and license plate not required for the approved models by the state.{{Cite web |title=Regels voor elektrische steps (e-steps) |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/voertuigen-op-de-weg/bijzondere-bromfiets/elektrische-step#:~:text=Regels%20voor%20gebruik%20alle%20elektrische,U%20hoeft%20geen%20helm%20op. |website=Rijksoverheid.nl | date=16 June 2021 |access-date=17 September 2024 |language=NL}}

File:E-scooters in Christchurch.jpg

E-scooters in New Zealand are classed as a 'Low-powered vehicle that does not require registration', provided that the output power is under 300 watts.{{cite web |title=Low-powered vehicles |url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicle-types/low-powered-vehicles/ |website=New Zealand Transport Agency |access-date=19 February 2020}} They can therefore be ridden on footpaths, roads and separated cycleways. They cannot be ridden on paint-defined cycleways on the road. Helmets are not required, but recommended.

Despite this legislation, the power limitation regulations are not enforced, and it is not uncommon to see commuters using e-scooters with power ratings far beyond 300W.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-12 |title=High-speed e-scooters being left unchecked by Waka Kotahi |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/illegally-powered-high-speed-e-scooters-are-being-left-unchecked-by-waka-kotahi/LSWKJCVALFFPJN4LZVHVNPE7RA/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

In Norway, e-scooters are classed as bicycles, and can therefore be ridden on footpaths, roads and separated cycleways as well as paint-defined cycleways on the road. Maximum speed is restricted to 20 km/h. Maximum weight of the e-scooter, including the battery, must not exceed 70 kg. Maximum width must not exceed 85 cm and maximum length is 120 cm. There is no age restriction or requirement to wear a helmet.{{cite web |title=Small electric vehicles |url=https://www.vegvesen.no/kjoretoy/Eie+og+vedlikeholde/elkjoretoy/sma-elektriske-kjoretoy |website=Statens Vegvesen |access-date=31 July 2020 |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203020245/https://www.vegvesen.no/kjoretoy/Eie+og+vedlikeholde/elkjoretoy/sma-elektriske-kjoretoy |url-status=dead }}

Helmets for children up to 15 years are mandatory since spring 2022.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is limited to 0.2 gram per liter as for car drivers.

File:Sosnowiec Hulajnogi Elektryczne.jpg

Following a court case, a new provision of the Road Traffic Act came into force as of 21 April 2019, whereby an e-scooter falls under the definition of a moped{{cite web |url=https://tvnwarszawa.tvn24.pl/r/news,289251.html |title=Sąd uznał, że jadący na hulajnodze elektrycznej nie jest pieszym |website=tvnwarszawa.tvn24.pl |access-date=24 April 2019 |language=pl}} (power up to 4 kW, max speed 45 km/h). Therefore, such vehicles are not allowed to ride on the footpaths as well as bicycle lanes. However, due to the lack of homologation, it is not possible to register an e-scooter as a road vehicle, which makes it illegal for the use on the road. The legislators are now working on changes to the law to introduce the definition of the Personal Transport Device, which would allow e-scooters to be used on footpaths and bicycle lanes.{{cite web |url=https://www.prawodrogowe.pl/informacje/kronika-legislacyjna/urzadzenia-transportu-osobistego-czekalismy-na-odpowiedz-resortu |title=zenia transportu osobistego. Czekaliśmy na odpowiedź resortu i jest |website=www.prawodrogowe.pl |access-date=24 April 2019 |language=pl}}

From May 20, 2021, the regulations on the traffic of e-scooters are in force.Ustawa z dnia 30 marca 2021 r. o zmianie ustawy – Prawo o ruchu drogowym oraz niektórych innych ustaw ([http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20210000720 Dz.U. z 2021 r. poz. 720]). An e-scooter is an electric powered vehicle, two-axle, with a steering wheel, without a seat and without pedals, designed to be driven only by the rider on that vehicle.

To drive an e-scooter on the road by people aged 10 to 18, it is required to have the same qualifications as for cycling, i.e. a bicycle card or driving license of categories AM, A1, B1 or T. For people over 18 years, such a document is not required.{{cite web|title=UTO i urządzenia wspomagające ruch – nowe przepisy|url=https://warminsko-mazurska.policja.gov.pl/ol/aktualnosci/81191,UTO-i-urzadzenia-wspomagajace-ruch-nowe-przepisy.html?sid=4c3ba0e706a5ad6a5816fb052d66bc3e|author=Policja Warmińsko-Mazurska|agency=Policja Warmińsko-Mazurska|access-date=2021-05-21}}

E-scooters in Singapore are categorized as Personal Mobility Devices (PMD), and as such, are subjected to the Land Transport Authority's regulations. All e-scooter owners are required to register their devices with the Land Transport Authority and affix the registration number on their scooter. E-scooters that are not registered by 1 July 2019 will have their devices seized by the authorities and the offender would be liable for punishment.

E-scooters sold in Singapore have to comply with a strict set of regulations; maximum speed of {{Convert|25|km/h|mph}}, must not exceed 70 cm in width & must not weigh more than 20 kg. Retailers are allowed to sell non-compliant e-scooters however they have to indicate clearly that they can only be used on private property or for use overseas.

Unlike electric bicycles, e-scooters can only be ridden on footpaths and cycling paths. They are not allowed to be ridden on public roads.

E-scooters' recurring role in traffic accidents has led to a regulatory pushback in Spain. There have been reported 273 accidents, three of which were fatal in 2018. Spanish legislators are working on a regulation banning e-scooters from footpaths and limiting their speed to {{Convert|25|km/h|mph}}.

The first ever person hit by e-scooter died in Spain in August 2019. A 92-year-old woman fell and struck her head to the pavement when an e-scooter hit her, travelling at less than {{Convert|10|km/h|mph}}.{{cite news |title=No jail for man who caused first electric scooter death |url=http://www.catalannews.com/society-science/item/no-jail-for-man-who-caused-first-electric-scooter-death |date=1 August 2019 |website= CatalanNews |access-date=4 September 2019}}

Spain is introducing technical standards and mandatory helmets.

E-scooters can be used on cycle paths, and on urban roads without cycle paths where the speed limit is below 50 kph.{{Cite web|title=Regulation for use of e-scooter enters into force - Turkey News|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/regulation-for-use-of-e-scooter-enters-into-force-163974|access-date=2021-08-12|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=16 April 2021 |language=en}}

Privately owned e-scooters are deemed to be Personal Light Electric Vehicles, subject to legal requirements regarding MOT testing, tax, and licensing. In practice they cannot be made to meet the requirements for road use, and they also may not be used on footways. In some trial areas from mid-2020 to November 2022, rental e-scooters may be ridden on roads and cycle lanes but not footways; riders must be 16 or over and have a driving licence. Using a phone, driving under the influence of alcohol, and other risks, are not allowed, as for other motor vehicles.{{Cite magazine|last=Bernal|first=Natasha|date=2020-07-01|title=Rental e-scooters are now legal. Here's what you need to know|language=en-GB|magazine=Wired UK|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/escooter-legal-uk|access-date=2020-07-03|issn=1357-0978}}{{Cite web|title=E-scooter trials: guidance for users|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users|website=GOV.UK|date=17 July 2023 |language=en}} Rules dated 13 July 2020; guidance updated occasionally to specify trial area changes. Action is not usually taken against users of private scooters on roads and footways, but in December 2021 West Midlands Police announced that they had seized and destroyed 140 e-scooters.{{Cite news |title='We seized and destroyed more than 100 e-scooters' |author= |work=BBC News Birmingham & Black Country|date=23 December 2021 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-59747082}} In July 2023, the police and crime commissioner for Kent called on police to seize and crush all e-scooters being ridden on public land.{{Cite news |date=2023-07-02 |title=Kent PCC wants e-scooters used on public roads seized and crushed |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-66079951 |access-date=2023-07-04}}

In 2022 a woman riding a rental scooter erratically while over the legal limit for alcohol pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She had not known that it was an offence, but was fined, and banned from driving for 18 months.{{Cite news |title=E-scooter woman who rode while drunk on hen do gets driving ban |author= |website=BBC News |date=27 April 2022 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-61243033}}

The first UK fatality involving an e-scooter occurred on 12 July 2019 when 35-year-old Emily Hartridge was killed in Battersea, London in a collision on a roundabout with a truck. London's cycling commissioner said that "new regulations must be put forward quickly" as e-scooters are "currently not safe—with no restrictions on speeds, no mandatory brakes and lights, and no rules on who can ride them and where".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49002636 |title=E-scooter crashes spark call for new rules |date=16 July 2019 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=23 August 2019}}

The first death of a pedestrian hit by an e-scooter occurred on 8 June 2022, when the 71-year old victim died in hospital after being impacted by a 14-year old scooter-riding male on 2 June.[https://www.thetimes.com/article/e-scooter-collision-claims-first-pedestrian-life-62twlqk5p E-scooter collision claims first pedestrian life] The Times, 14 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022 {{subscription required}}[https://news.nottinghamshire.police.uk/news/pedestrian-dies-after-e-scooter-collision-449535 Pedestrian dies after e-scooter collision] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622021907/https://news.nottinghamshire.police.uk/news/pedestrian-dies-after-e-scooter-collision-449535 |date=2022-06-22 }} Nottinghamshire Police, 13 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022

File:Different Electric Scooters in Long Beach, CA - 2023-3-15.jpg in March 2023, including those from Bird, Lime and Veo]]

Rules in the United States vary by state. Motorized scooters are often not street legal, as they cannot be tagged, titled, insured, and do not meet federal requirements for lights or mirrors. Particular localities may have further ordinances that limit the use of motorized scooters. The top speed of the average motorized scooter is around {{Convert|20|mph|km/h}}. Due to their small wheels, motorized scooters are not typically safe for street use as even the smallest bumps can cause an accident.

California, for example, requires that a person riding a motorized scooter on a street be 16 years of age or older, have a valid driver's license, be wearing a bicycle helmet, have no passengers, and otherwise follow the same rules of the road the same as cars do. The motorized scooter must have brakes, may not have handlebars raised above the operator's shoulders, and if ridden at night must have a headlight, a taillight, and side reflectors. A motorized scooter may not be operated on sidewalks or on streets if the posted speed limit is over {{Convert|25|mph|km/h}} unless in a Class II bicycle lane.{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.brea.ca.us/article.cfm?id=1272 |title=Scooter and Go-Ped Guidelines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311235350/http://www.ci.brea.ca.us/article.cfm?id=1272 |archive-date=2011-03-11 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-05-18}}

Michigan laws treat motorized scooters similarly to bicycles. They are typically allowed on sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads.{{cite web |url=https://detroitgreenways.org/michigan-laws-on-motorized-scooters/ |title=Michigan laws on motorized scooters |website=detroitgreenways.org |access-date=2019-01-21 |date=2018-10-13 |archive-date=2019-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122045558/https://detroitgreenways.org/michigan-laws-on-motorized-scooters/ |url-status=dead }}

In Washington, D.C., motorized scooters are classified as Personal Mobility Devices, and are therefore not considered motor vehicles. This means there is no inspection, license, insurance, or registration required. Additionally, this means that motorized scooters are allowed on the sidewalks, and helmets are not required.{{cite web |url=https://dmv.dc.gov/publication/non-traditional-motor-vehicles-and-dc-law |title=Non-Traditional Motor Vehicles and DC Law {{!}} dmv |website=dmv.dc.gov |access-date=2018-10-28}}

In Georgia, motorized scooters are considered Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices, meaning they can be used on sidewalks and highways where the speed limit is at most {{Convert|35|mph|km/h}}, or in the bike lane. The law also specifies that users of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices, including motorized scooter riders, "have the same rights and duties as prescribed for pedestrians".{{cite web |url=https://dps.georgia.gov/georgia-code-low-speed-vehicles |title=Georgia Code: Low Speed Vehicles|publisher=Georgia Department of Public Safety|access-date=2022-04-27}}

Scooter sharing companies have rules for operation printed on both the scooter and in the app, which includes instructions to not ride on the sidewalk. Given that the laws regarding motorized scooters vary from state to state, the scooter sharing instructions can differ from the local law.{{Cite web|url=https://mobilityseeker.com/rules-etiquettes-for-adult-scooter-commuters/|title=10 Rules & Etiquettes For Adult Scooter Commuters|date=2019-10-26|website=Mobility Seeker|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-20|archive-date=2020-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225134724/https://mobilityseeker.com/rules-etiquettes-for-adult-scooter-commuters/|url-status=dead}}

{{unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}

File:E-scooter with Pneumatic Tires.jpg E-scooter with Pneumatic Tires]]

Stand-up scooters may have solid tires, pneumatic tires with tubes, or tubeless pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires offer benefits such as better shock absorption, adjustable tire pressure, and easier changes; however, they are prone to flats and require regular maintenance, making them ideal primarily for flat surfaces. Solid tires, often honeycomb in structure, have advantages such as a longer lifespan, puncture resistance, and low maintenance needs. However, they tend to have heavier weight and less shock absorption compared to air-filled tires. Sizes vary between {{convert|8|in|mm}} and {{convert|11|in|mm}} usually, and scooters with larger are available, for both road and off-road use. There are some with unusually wide tires especially for off-road use. Most of them use a steel or aluminum split rim.

File:T3_Patroller_electric_stand-up_trike.jpg|246x246px]]The simplest drive mechanism of stand-up scooters is the electric direct drive, where the motor directly drives the rear wheel. Some electric scooters have four motors, two in each wheel.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBQfs0V3wos |title=Hunter Quad First in New York City 14000W 4 Motors INSANE Electric Hyper Scooter |date=2021-10-10 |last=Electric Vehicles Space |access-date=2025-03-22 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=Hunter Quad 2x2 |url=https://www.minimotors-nyc.com/products/hunter-quad-2x2 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Minimotors NYC |language=en}} Brushless motors can be extremely efficient this way, especially when regenerative braking is implemented. A large proportion of newer so-called "e-scooters" are designed this way.

When electric direct drive is not the rule, the simplest is the spindle drive, which puts an extension of the engine's output shaft, the spindle, in direct contact with the scooter's rear tire. To work correctly, the tire must have a clean, dry surface with which the spindle can effectively interact. Scooters with this type of direct transmission can be pull-started with the rear wheel off the ground, or "bump"-started by forcefully pushing them with the rear tire in contact with the ground.

Simple chain reduction drives are also used to transfer energy to the rear wheel, generally incorporating a type of centrifugal clutch to allow the engine to idle independently.

Belt reduction drives use the combination of wide flat "cog" belts and pulleys to transfer power to the rear wheel. Like chain drives, belt drives include a centrifugal clutch, but are more susceptible to breakage in off-road conditions.

The suspension systems of stand-up scooters range from nothing at all, to simplistic spring based fork systems, to the complicated, dampened cam-link and C.I.D.L.I (Cantilevered Independent Dynamic Linkless Indespension) suspension mechanisms or a hybrid combination of wooden deck, coil spring, air spring and dampers.

File:Front electronic brake.jpg

File:Pneumatic Tire.jpg on the back wheel]]

Brake systems of kick scooters include disc brakes; magnetic brakes; and less efficient hydraulic brakes. Brakes can be placed on the front and/or back wheel(s). Some scooters have two sets of brakes on each wheel, one on each side.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBQfs0V3wos |title=Hunter Quad First in New York City 14000W 4 Motors INSANE Electric Hyper Scooter |date=2021-10-10 |last=Electric Vehicles Space |access-date=2025-03-22 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=Hunter Quad 2x2 |url=https://www.minimotors-nyc.com/products/hunter-quad-2x2 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Minimotors NYC |language=en}} Many newer e-scooter models also have Kinetic Energy Regeneration System (KERS), which also acts as an electronic ABS system (E-ABS) on some models.

==Gallery==

File:Scooters.Assisi028.jpg|Man on a motorised scooter in the 1920s

File:Austro Motorette 82 cc two stroke 1922.jpg|1922 Austro Motorette 82 cc two stroke

File:Gsr40.jpg|Example of a Go-Ped.

File:E-Scooter Evercross H5 Being Ridden.jpg|An Evercross H5 e-scooter being ridden

{{incomplete list|date=September 2019}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=8em|* AER

• Apollo
• Askoll
• Beam
• Bird
• Boosted
• Bolt
• Boosted
• Currus
• Cecotec (Spain)
• Ducati
• EcoReco
• EMOVE
• Evercross
• EVOLV
• E-TWOW
• Fiat
• Fiido
• Fluid Freeride
• Glion
• Glock (Seed)
• Globber
• GOTRAX
• Helbiz
• Hiboy
• Hopp
• Homospeed
• Inmotion
• Inokim
• Jetson
• Joyor
• Kaabo
• Levy
• Lime
• Mearth
• Mercane
• Mii2
• Minimotors
• Macwheel
• Mongoose
• Nabi Boards
• NAMI
• Nanrobot
• Neuron
• Niu
• Qiewa
• R-rape Speed
• Razor
• RION
• Segway
• Skip Scooters
• Spin
• Splach
• Swagtron
• TAUR
• Teverun
• TurboAnt
• Turbowheel
• Uber
• Unagi
• Uscooters
• Ungurii-Sug-Pula
• Varla
• Vsett
• WEPED
• Work's Electric
• Yume
• Xiaomi
• Zero
• Zwheel

}}

{{Commons category|Motorized kick scooters}}

• Scooter-sharing system
• Bicycle-sharing system
• Segway PT

{{Reflist}}

Category:Kick scooters

Category:Personal transporters

Category:Vehicles introduced in 1915