The political dispute over the planned approval of electric scooters is coming to a head. The Federal Minister of transport, Andreas Scheuer (CSU) is driving you, in the most recent draft of the Ordinance of 19. February thought for the Moped driving license is compulsory for scooter with steering and grab bars abolished. You should, in the future, may be of 12-Year-old dangers, it says in the paper. Two classes were created: scooter between 6 and 12 km/h. on only on sidewalks, those to bike paths, between 12 and 20 km/h priority A helmet is not provided, the obligation to take out insurance office plaque remains in place, according to the current paper.

The driver’s License requirement has been deleted

The second-to-last draft saw the Moped license and a minimum age of 15 years, as a duty. However, lobby the manufacturers and providers of exported, apparently successfully, but also the greens and the FDP, which found the regulation to be too restrictive. Supporters of the E-scooter you see on the “last mile” as the ideal complement to public transport. “E-scooter can seamlessly combine the public TRANSPORT and private transport with each other, and are the bearers of hope for the future of mobility”, says Christian Jung, who sits for the FDP in the transport Committee.

It is expected that the new design will be released this week. Then he has to hold still for the examination by the Federal Council and the European Commission. Everything goes according to Plan, should become the first vehicles later this summer on the road.

However, there are powerful against wind. Politicians, accident researchers, lawyers, and pedestrian representatives practice sharp criticism of the planned regulation. “To shy from creating the walkway,” said Roland Stimpel, spokesman of the pedestrians Association, FOOT of e. V., The duties of the Green. “What is clear is that The miniature electric vehicles on the road,” Stefan yellow hair, mobility spokesman in the Bundestag. His party colleague Matthias Gastel said: “The sidewalks belong alone to the foot traffic. It must not be shaken.“

“Constitutionally questionable”

The Berlin constitutional and business law expert Stefan Klinski looks even “basic constitutional concerns” against the planned walkway-sharing in the framework of the regulation. “Would the basic law of priority adverse to the economic interests of the manufacturer and the interests of the users of the health and safety interests of the pedestrians given”. In addition, the release would lead to a restriction of the basic law-article 2, paragraph 1, of the protected “General freedom of action of the pedestrian”, as these could move to the sidewalks less free than before.

Self-imposed restrictions such as a maximum speed of 12 km/h, a special consideration increased bid or a compulsory insurance requirement is expected to change that, so Klinsky. Although the dangers would be set so “to some extent” down, but not to a level “that could be arranged in the balancing of interests, as legally reasonable”.

in Addition, it must be expected that would not like to keep in the road and all the regulations – and certainly not children and teenagers who used such vehicles are often playful and sporty. “In its consideration of the law/Regulation is not unrealistic under, the relevant prohibition would virtually always followed,” says kilinski. “He has to go out of the actual danger of the situation.” Therefore, he must not turn a blind eye to the fact that an effective control is hardly possible.

a Minimum of eight vendors want to E-scooter give

The Trend of small E-vehicles coming from the United States. There leihroller companies such as “Bird” or “Lime” with billion. In this country, at least eight companies are waiting in the wings who want to bring their vehicles on the road. Previously, you had to switch to other markets, because the E-scooters in Germany, the authorisation is missing. With a total of 27 million euros-funded Start-up animal Mobility, for example, is started in Vienna and is now in 12 cities. In the summer of the scooter against a one time activation fee of one Euro and a per-minute price of 15 cents per Minute to be at the company’s headquarters in Berlin bookings. Also, the Berlin-based Startup GoFlash wants to do with its fleet in the future, the bikes competition.

However, the question of the appropriate place for the new vehicles poses a major conflict. Traffic researchers to keep the bike paths for the most suitable means of transport, the Bicycle Association ADFC wants to have safe cycle lanes, before he thinks to the Share. Roads will, in turn, give Scheuer, also of precious Park space to be added to the streamline. Therefore, you should be on the sidewalk parked, Stimpel feared EN masse on sidewalks lying around Leihtretroller. The E-car fans want on the one hand, the release of faster vehicles up to 45 km/h on the road, on the other hand, you want to be allowed to use the sidewalk.

About 1500 injured in the United States, a death in Spain

are the risks of E-transport, in particular, sidewalks elsewhere are already documented. According to investigations by the consumer protection organization “Consumer Reports” were injured in the U.S. nationwide, more than 1500 people since the end of 2017 by means of E-scooter accidents. In many U.S. cities such as San Francisco, it has limited use. In Barcelona, 90, died in August,-Year-old, after she was driving on the sidewalk of an E-scooter. In Brussels and Vienna, there is a growing residents ‘ complaints.

That the proposed scheme in Germany is also a large risk, is the Ministry of transport aware of. In the Bundestag transport state Secretary Enak Ferlemann at the “big safety concerns” in his house in terms of electric vehicles. Also Scheuer himself admitted in a public event, the potential for conflict.

In the Open letter to Scheuer aims, because of the foot e. V. in cooperation with the social Association VdK Germany, the German Federation of the Blind and visually impaired Association and the state Advisory Board for senior citizens in Berlin has written. The approval of motor vehicles on sidewalks, a dam was “fracture that threatens to destroy the shelter of the majority and especially the most Vulnerable”.

More vehicles on the sidewalk are planned

foot speaker Stimpel keeping the new design from the pedestrian point of view “is absolutely atrocious. There’s only one right place: the trash.“ He sees no possibility of, “how, in the future, controlling how fast the vehicles travel. Ultimately, the up to 20 km/h fast E-scooters on the sidewalk.“ Although the fines are provided, but these were “ridiculously low”. Even those who have endangered other people, to a maximum of 25 Euro to pay. 30 Euro damage costs by E-scooter. Stimpel: “The protection of the pub tables on the sidewalk is scouring more important than the protection of the hip bones of the elderly.” Stimpel therefore calls on Minister for family Affairs, Giffey and social Affairs Ministers of salvation, “your expertise by rotating grab colleagues Scheuer in the handlebar”.

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traffic in the capital of the E-scooter attack on Berlin’s bike – and walkways

Christian Hönicke

barn plans meanwhile shot the next electro – offensive- back on German sidewalks. Also, E-vehicles without steering, such as your E-Skateboards, hover boards and One-Wheeler up to 12 km/h should be allowed to rise from the middle of the year on citizens. For Scheuer plans an exception to this regulation. Here, too, the front lines are clear: E-Fans and producers want higher speeds, pedestrians defend the walkway. And the lawyer Stefan Klinski sees “no sufficient legal basis” for such a special regulation, the Constitution, before sliding a latch. Hope or attack on the basic law – the view of electric vehicles is deeply divided.