Up until now, efforts have been directed at the problems of electric scooters. The new proposal moves in the direction of also reaping benefits.
Published: 08/05/2024 06:30
This is a debate post. Any opinions expressed in the text are the responsibility of the writer. If you want to participate in the debate, you can read how here.
When Oslo municipality launched its first regulation for the rental of electric scooters in 2021, we criticized the municipality for a number of weaknesses. The following year, the regulation was improved. Now the municipality has proposed new regulations and has again received criticism – including in Aftenposten’s editorial on 28 April and from senior physician Henrik Siverts in Dagsnytt on 18.
This time we will applaud several measures taken in the new proposal.
- Correct with a longer contract period
The electric scooters we see on the streets now are built for many years of rental. The annual technical improvements are smaller now than at the start.
It is therefore a step in the right direction, and in line with the regulation’s purpose of environmentally and climate-friendly solutions, when Oslo proposes to extend the agreement period from one to two years.
The municipality regulates the number of electric scooters in the city center and in areas where they accumulate. It’s reasonable.
On the other hand, it is more difficult to see the need to limit numbers in outer urban areas where distances are long, public transport is poorer, and car dependence is greater.
We therefore applaud the proposal to increase the offer outside Ring 2 and lift the number limitation outside Ring 3. If there are local challenges, the municipality has secured the opportunity to intervene. Similar approaches work well in several other Norwegian cities.
Night closing was necessary when it was introduced. This has contributed to less drunk driving and fewer accidents. Today there are fewer and more serious companies, and the vehicles are far better. And most importantly: Both an age limit and a strict alcohol limit have been introduced.
If the municipality allows testing of night-time services, it should be subject to conditions, such as a reduced maximum speed, a ban on driving in busy places and times as well as technology that prevents risky behaviour.
The damage situation and geographical risk areas will be closely monitored, for example in the Transport Economics Institute’s CyWalk project. Night closures can be reintroduced if such measures do not work.
- Extends public transport services
It is positive that the municipality will require integration with public transport.
Already today, you can unlock and pay for electric scooter trips in the Ruter app. The electric scooters can be an extension of public transport where it is a long way to the nearest stop and thus reduce public transport’s “first/last mile” problem.
They can also relieve an overloaded offer during rush hour.
A step in the right direction
All in all, Oslo’s proposal for changes to the local regulations is a step in the right direction.
The regulations will be more flexible, so that the municipality can respond if necessary.
Current regulations make it possible to introduce compulsory parking in city center areas, and Oslo should consider this. Customers cannot then end their trip outside of certain parking areas. In other cities, this has resulted in close to 100 per cent correct parking and fewer inconveniences for pedestrians and vulnerable groups.
Our studies show that forced parking also makes it easier to find a free e-scooter and start the trip, but a little more difficult to find a place to end the trip.
Reap the gains
Up until now, efforts have been directed at the problems of electric scooters. The new proposal moves in the direction of also reaping benefits.
Future improvements will be about more dynamic regulation including rewarding good results and good driving behaviour. Furthermore, there remains an unfulfilled potential for electric scooters to replace car use and support public transport.
There is still a need for evaluation and knowledge building, so that the positive development can continue.
