Bicycle and e-scooter controls in Vienna: 51 offenses in one night!

Bicycle and e-scooter controls in Vienna: 51 offenses in one night!

In the night of Friday, the uniformed bicycle service of the Vienna State Transport Department (LVA) carried out checks on the Danube Island between 7 and 2 o'clock. The target group was primarily bicycle and e-scooter drivers who violate traffic rules. As reported Krone , a total of 51 ads and 77 organ mandates worth 6287 euros were issued. The most common violations included the run over red traffic lights and the use of cell phones while driving. There are specific figures for this, 18 organ mandates and 9 ads due to the traffic light violations and 15 mandates for mobile phone use.

A particularly blatant case was found in an e-scooter that reached a speed of 51 km/h. The onward journey was prohibited and two driver's licenses were also removed. The police announced further controls to increase traffic safety.

regulations for e-scooter

e-scooter are electric trollers with an electric drive that has been allowed in Germany since June 2019. The electrical cleaning vehicle regulation (EKFV) is subject to use. Only e-scooters with an operating license are legal and they have to be insured. According to ADAC , new regulations are in preparation that aims to improve traffic safety and closer equality of e-scooters with bicycles. In the future, e-scooters can drive where cycling is allowed, but only at walking speed on sidewalks and in pedestrian zones.

The planned changes also include that newly approved e-scooters must be equipped with indicators and separate brakes. This regulation is expected to come into force in 2025, with a transition period of one year. It is also important that e-scooter drivers are only allowed to use cycle paths if this is also required for cyclists.

fines and rule violations

The fines for violations of the e-scooter rules have also increased. For example, driving on the sidewalk is punished with 15 to 30 euros, while driving without insurance license plate is punished with 40 euros. In addition, according to Scooterhelden , new rules will come into effect on April 1, 2025, which, among other things, allow specific green arrows for cyclists. Driving side by side is allowed as long as the traffic is not hindered.

The municipalities receive additional control options for regulating the parking of e-scooters. Cities can determine parking zones, which is particularly important for sharing providers. From 2027, new e-scooters must also be equipped with indicators and improved brakes in order to further increase traffic safety.

The minimum age for e-scooter drivers remains 14 years, and there is still no helmet obligation. However, the same alcohol boundaries apply as to drivers: from 0.5 to 1.09 per thousand it is an administrative offense, from 1.1 per thousand. There is a 0.0-promile limit for drivers under the age of 21 and new driver's license.

The new regulations promise more clarity and legal certainty for e-scooter drivers, while the strict regulations also pursue the goal of increasing safety in road traffic. Road safety is therefore the focus of the upcoming changes for e-scooter users.