Police Issue Warning as Tuned Electric Scooters Reach Hazardous Speeds
In several local Facebook groups, videos of children and young people speeding past in what looks like car traffic are constantly appearing. Parents are called, rules are discussed – and now the police issue a clear warning.
- Now parents must understand the seriousness. The consequences are enormous.
That’s what Henning Ødegaard Johansen, traffic coordinator in the South-East police district, says. He sees a frightening trend.
- We have an increase in injuries to electric scooters, and the problem applies to both young people and adults.
110 km/t
According to Johansen, it is not the rental bikes that cause trouble. They are under good control. It is indeed the private bikes that are frequently enough trimmed.
The police have seized around 20 tuned bikes this year – all far above the legal speed limit. And legally, electric scooters are considered motor vehicles.
- We have bikes at 60 and 70 km/h, but the highest we have measured is 110 km/h. It was driven by a 17-year-old. The driver suffered serious head injuries. He will probably never fully recover.It’s absolutely horrible.
Johansen believes that parents frequently enough do not know what their children are driving.
- The parents must follow along. We do our job, but much of the obligation lies at home.
Tik Tok
Trimming takes place both via apps and physical interventions.
- You can turn off the speed limiter in an app or reconnect cables.Young people learn it via TikTok, says Johansen.
he emphasizes that the bikes cannot withstand such speeds.
- They don’t have brakes or construction for 70-100 km/h. The risk is enormous, he says.
Illegal Electric Scooters Pose Notable Risks to Riders and Pedestrians
The increasing popularity of electric scooters has brought with it a rise in modified or non-compliant models, creating potential hazards for both riders and pedestrians. Authorities are warning that using an illegal electric scooter can lead to severe consequences,including lack of insurance coverage and potential legal repercussions.
1. Technical Requirements (Vehicle Regulations)
These requirements determine whether an electric scooter is legal as a vehicle. They were introduced by the Ministry of Transport in 2023.
Key requirements include:
✔ Maximum Speed: 20 km/h
Electric scooters exceeding this speed are not legal and cannot be insured.
✔ Maximum Motor Power: 500 watts
A tuned or more powerful engine renders the scooter illegal.
✔ Brakes and Lights
The scooter must have:
– Approved brakes
– Front and rear lights
– Reflectors
✔ No Seat Allowed
Electric scooters with a seat fall under a different vehicle class and are subject to different regulations.
✔ Fixed Construction Speed
Hidden “turbo modes” or adjustable speed settings via app violate the requirements.
These requirements are detailed in the Regulations on requirements for small electric motor vehicles,linked to the vehicle regulations.
Trimming or modifying a scooter voids compliance with these regulations.
“You may be left without compensation in the event of personal injury. If you are injured for life, you could be left without any financial support,” warns press manager Sigmund Clementz.
A common scenario involves a modified scooter colliding with a pedestrian.
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