Finnish cities impose varying rules on e-scooter rentals

Finnish municipalities regulate shared e-scooter rentals with widely differing restrictions, according to a survey by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. Speed limits, parking rules, and seasonal usage periods are the most common constraints, with over 90% of responding municipalities capping scooter speeds between 8 and 25 km/h.

The survey, conducted this spring, included responses from 58 municipalities, with data from nine others sourced from public records. Most have set one-year permits for e-scooter operators, treating this summer as a trial period. “This first season is a test run,” said Traficom’s lead specialist Inkeri Parkkari. “Cities will monitor how it goes and decide whether to update permit terms next year.”

Major cities show significant variation in rules. Helsinki divides the city into three zones with strict scooter limits, while Tampere caps total scooters at 1,500 in its center—though numbers may temporarily rise during large events. Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Espoo, and Vantaa impose no upper limits on scooter numbers.

Five of the seven largest cities ban weekend nighttime riding (Friday–Saturday and Saturday–Sunday), except Jyväskylä and Tampere, which allow it with mandatory reaction tests. These tests, required before unlocking a scooter during late-night hours and certain holidays, are mandated by 26 municipalities nationwide to curb drunk riding.

Speed limits generally drop to 15 km/h at night, though curfew start times vary: Turku and Jyväskylä enforce slower speeds from 10 p.m. Daytime limits range from 10–15 km/h in slower zones to a common maximum of 20 km/h.

Parking violations remain a persistent issue. Many cities, including Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, and Turku, designate “forced parking” zones in downtown areas where scooters must be left in marked spots. Enforcement, however, proves difficult. Municipalities rely on test rides, data analysis, and public feedback to monitor compliance, though Parkkari noted that tight deadlines for permit preparation and resource constraints have drawn criticism.

Operational seasons average six and a half months, typically running from mid-April to late October, though northern cities like Oulu and Jyväskylä start later in May due to weather.