Madrid, September 06, 2024, The Europe Today: The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has announced a forthcoming ban on e-scooter rentals offered by mobile app-based companies such as Lime, Dott, and Tier Mobility. The decision, effective from October, follows the companies’ failure to implement crucial safety measures required by the city’s regulations.
“We are withdrawing authorization for companies hiring out scooters on the city’s streets,” Martínez-Almeida declared in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He emphasized that public safety remains the city’s top priority. “Our priority is the safety of the people of Madrid,” he stressed, noting that operators had not complied with standards designed to protect pedestrians, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly.
Safety Issues and Regulatory Failures
E-scooters have come under increased scrutiny across Europe due to rising concerns over accidents. In July 2023, Germany’s federal statistics office reported a notable rise in deaths and injuries related to e-scooters. Madrid, following suit, had attempted to mitigate these risks by imposing new regulations in May 2023. Companies were required to implement technologies that restricted parking and prohibited use in pedestrian areas or near historic sites. The three firms were also obligated to provide data to the city to ensure compliance.
Despite these efforts, Martínez-Almeida noted that the firms had failed to meet the city’s safety standards. “The market was found to be incapable of meeting the requirements set by the mayor’s office to ensure the highest level of safety for citizens,” he said.
Appeal Process and Broader Context
The companies now have 20 days to appeal the decision. If upheld, this move would follow a similar ban in Paris, where 89% of voters supported the restriction on e-scooters in a public consultation last year, though turnout was low.
Madrid’s move is likely to ignite further debate about the safety and regulation of e-scooters in major European cities as officials grapple with the balance between modern transport solutions and public safety.
