Oslo will cut its rental e-scooter fleet from 16,000 to a maximum of 12,000 while requiring at least 4,000 e-bikes, keeping the total shared electric fleet at 16,000 vehicles under new rules expected to take effect April 1, VG reported.
The city council has announced a new tender for the rental scheme, with permits to be decided in February. Bolt, Ryde and Voi currently operate e-scooters in the capital.
Age limit raised to 16
Renters must be at least 16 years old to use e-scooters or e-bikes in Oslo. While Voi, Ryde and Bolt already enforce a 16-year minimum, the city is now making it a mandatory requirement for all operators. Byrådsleder Eirik Lae Solberg said, “We are raising the age limit to 16 so that we strengthen safety both for those who use e-bikes and e-scooters and for pedestrians.” He noted that emergency rooms treat numerous injuries from e-scooter users.
Stricter parking and riding rules
Parking at designated spots will become gradually mandatory, starting in the inner city. Companies must use technology such as geofencing, accelerometers and sensors to prevent improper parking, reckless riding and tandem riding. Geofencing already reduces speeds on Karl Johan and Youngstorget. The ban on riding e-scooters after 11 p.m. continues.
Last year, the city issued more than 25,000 fines for improper parking, totaling nearly 23 million kroner, which operators pass on to users and which end up in the municipal treasury.
More e-bikes, fewer scooters
Solberg defended the shift toward e-bikes by saying, “so that people who could have the same opportunities to travel as before and get around without using the car, we are increasing the number of e-bikes.” He said more age groups and more women use e-bikes, while e-scooters are young people’s favorite.
Samferdselsbyråd Marit Vea said, “Oslo residents have embraced e-scooters, they are extremely widely used,” adding that in outer parts of the city they also replace cars. But she noted that vulnerable groups feel unsafe: “We want to give them better protection. And then there are too many accidents, especially among young people.”
Operators compete on safety
Companies will compete more on safety, with a lower threshold for excluding users who break the rules. Solberg also hopes the government will allow Oslo to ban both e-scooters and e-bikes on sidewalks through local regulation, rather than relying on signage that costs 5,000 kroner per sign.
Oslo’s new e-scooter rules: Dates, age limits and fines
When do the new rules start?
The new arrangement is expected to begin April 1, with permits for operators awarded in February.
Can I still ride after 11 p.m.?
No. The ban on riding e-scooters after 11 p.m. continues under the new rules.
How much were parking fines last year?
Oslo issued more than 25,000 fines for improper parking last year, totaling nearly 23 million kroner.
The new rules allow up to 16,000 scooters and e-bikes combined, replacing the previous limit of 16,000 scooters alone.
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