Electric scooter operators: driving under the influence must be disciplined
Aalto University's Department of the Built Environment has published a study on the introduction of electric scooters. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend the development of other infrastructure for e-scooters and cycling and developing legislation to prevent drunk driving. Bird, Bolt, Lime, TIER and Voi, members of the Nordic Micromobility Association NMA, the industry organization for electric scooter operators, strongly recommend setting a blood alcohol limit.
The safety of e-scooters has improved in Helsinki, and according to research by Aalto University, accidents are occurring less and less. According to industry research1, the safety level of e-scooters and bicycles is roughly the same. However, according to the newly published study, riding an e-scooter while intoxicated still poses considerable risks. Statistics show that in 2021, 44% of those injured in crashes drove an electric scooter while intoxicated. The current study was decided to be carried out due to the increased number of accidents related to electric scooters and to find solutions to the challenges2.
- A recent study by Aalto University shows that, unfortunately, too many people still drive while intoxicated, which causes accidents. Under no circumstances should you drive any vehicle while intoxicated. For this reason, we seriously recommend the decision-makers to consider introducing a blood alcohol limit in Finland, as has already been done in Norway. The alcohol limit would raise the threshold for drunk driving and reduce the number of accidents, say the members of the Nordic Micromobility Association.
E-scooter operators take injuries seriously and have worked together with the City of Helsinki to reduce accidents. In the summer of 2021, electric scooter operators agreed, among other things, to lower speeds and a lower speed limit for the first time3.
Improving the infrastructure in an essential position
According to the study, there are shortcomings in Helsinki's infrastructure that expose both e-scooters and cyclists to dangerous situations. The infrastructure should be improved so that dangerous situations do not arise. In addition, cities should be granted more effective tools for industry regulation, as cooperation is currently based on a voluntary dialogue between cities and operators. Increasing the jurisdiction of cities requires a change in the law.
- We are committed to the road traffic safety project Vision Zero, the goal of which is that there would be no deaths or serious accidents in road traffic. We think it's very good that the challenges related to electric kickboarding are investigated using reliable and independent scientific research, so that we can solve the challenges of the industry even better, sum up the members of the association.
The research was financed by the Finnish e-scooter operators Lime, TIER and Voi4, which are members of the Nordic Micromobility Association. Participating in the research by providing data and funding was one additional way to create a safer urban space. In addition to the operators, the research was funded by the City of Helsinki and the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
You can familiarize yourself with the research on Aalto University's publication portal.
More information:
Department of Built Environment, Aalto University
Miloš Mladenović
milos.mladenovic@aalto.fi
About the study
The research was carried out by Miloš Mladenović, Samira Dibaj and Daniel Lopatnikov from Aalto University's Department of the Built Environment. The research has been funded by the City of Helsinki, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and three electric scooter operators: Lime, TIER and Voi. In the study, the data collected by the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa on emergency cases, more than 1100 videotaped situations where electric scooters were used and more than 5000 responses to a survey carried out on the internet were analyzed.
1 https://www.itf-oecd.org/10-recommendations-safe-micromobility
2 The study shows emergency cases involving e-scooters in Helsinki, of which there were 446 during 2021, out of which 257 were minor. The same year, over 24 million kilometers were ridden on e-scooters in Helsinki, which is equivalent to more than 11 million#. Hence an accident rate of 0,002 percent per ridden kilometer, or approximately 1 out of 26 000 rides.The aim has been to find solutions to these challenges.
3 Legal speed for e-scooters in Finland is 25 km/h while it is 20 km/h in the rest of Scandinavia.
4 The company Dott was initially part of the project group before exiting the Finnish market and in addition, Bird has supplied data to the study.
Bird
Berina Dzindo, Director EMEA city growth and strategy
berina.dzindo@bird.co
press@bird.co
Bolt
Jens Öhgren, PR Officer
+46 705 97 84 44
jens.ohgren@bolt.eu
Dott
Philippe Fernström, Senior Public Policy Manager Nordics
+46 725 32 87 04
philippe@ridedott.com
press@ridedott.com
Lime
Fredrik Timell, Public Affairs Sr. Manager - Nordics
+46 70 288 05 92
fredrik.timell@li.me
press-sw@li.me
TIER Mobility
Dan Nerén, Public Policy Lead
+46 708 830 127
dan.neren@tier.app
press@tier.app
Voi
Hannu Oskala
Public Policy Manager Finland
+358 44 530 4712
hannu.oskala@voiapp.io
About the Nordic Micromobility Association:
The Nordic Micromobility Association is a joint initiative by micromobility companies primarily e-scooter operators. The association works to promote the industry, encourage competition, and continue to establish dialogue with cities and governments across the Nordics. Our primary goal is to maintain high standards of -escooter operations across the Nordic countries in line with our existing agreements in cities. Our members are Bird, Bolt, Dott, Lime, TIER and Voi.
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