Danish politicians resist calls to ban electric scooters

Danish politicians are not ready to ban electric scooters, despite 44 per cent of Danes saying they should be prohibited, DR reports. Transport spokespeople from several parties instead say enforcement against illegal scooters should be strengthened.

Hans Kristian Skibby, transport spokesperson for the Denmark Democrats, said the party did not support a ban but recognised problems including excessive speed and riders ignoring traffic rules.

Social Democrat transport spokesperson Bjørn Brandenborg said his party might be willing to discuss a ban in the future. He said a trial could be a first step and that authorities should distinguish between scooter types based on how dangerous they are.

The Alternative, the Socialist People’s Party, the Social Liberals, the Conservative People’s Party and the Moderates also oppose a ban. One-third of Danes are against banning electric scooters, while one-fifth are neither for nor against, according to the survey cited by DR.

Electric scooters have been legal in traffic since 2019 under a trial scheme. The scheme has no set end date and has previously been evaluated by the Danish Road Traffic Authority.

People interviewed by DR in Vallensbæk and Holstebro expressed mixed views. Some cited the scooters’ convenience, while others said they were dangerous and that rules were not being followed.