Parents struggle to navigate rules as children buy faster e-scooters

Children and teenagers are continuing to buy high-speed electric scooters, while many parents do not understand the rules governing their use, DR reports. Some of the scooters sold at Funwheels, a shop in Randers, can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour and are illegal on public roads.

Owner Lasse Petersen says he often sees children as young as nine asking for the scooters.

“But if it is the father who buys the scooter, there is not much I can do,” he says.

Petersen says children often know exactly what they are asking for, while their parents may not realise what they are about to buy.

“My experience shows that the children have researched everything in advance. They know that the scooters are illegal and how fast they can go,” he says.

He says he makes a point of explaining the rules and the possible consequences, including the potential cost.

“I do what I can to inform people about what they can and cannot do, as well as the consequences and how expensive it can be,” Petersen says.

He adds that some parents simply do not care.

The debate over fast electric scooters intensified after East Jutland Police urged parents on Facebook to take responsibility and ensure their children did not ride illegal scooters in public areas. The post was shared more than 9,000 times and received over 27,000 interactions.

This week, South and Southern Jutland Police seized two electric scooters capable of reaching speeds of 45 and 85 kilometres per hour.

What are the rules?

Electric scooters became legal to ride under a trial scheme on 1 January 2019. Riders must be at least 15 years old and wear a helmet. The scooter must not be capable of travelling faster than 20 kilometres per hour under its own power.

Petersen says many fast scooters are also sold to adults who use them at home or on racing tracks. He nevertheless finds it troubling when scooters he has sold end up on public roads and are seized.

“It is very strange. It is very unfortunate that they are confiscated, but rules are rules. I would not put my own son on one of those on a public road,” he says.

The trial scheme has allowed electric scooters on cycle paths for the past seven years. The Transport Safety think tank has recently recommended ending the scheme and making them illegal again.

Petersen says that would penalise people who use the scooters legally.

“It is a means of transport that many of my customers use to commute to and from work. They have a long range and are cheaper than starting the car,” he says.

Transport Minister Signe Munk of the Socialist People’s Party has previously told DR that the trial scheme will be discussed at a later date.