2023-08-19 13:00:00
Risk of fine
Aren’t electric scooters subject to rules?
Fashionable vehicles, complaints against scooters and electric scooters are multiplying… and not always for a congested sidewalk problem. Our point on the regulations to follow.
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Viva Mobility Experts
PostedAugust 19, 2023, 3:00 PM
Electric scooters almost never have turn signals. Mobility experts explain how to turn left or right when traveling with this type of vehicle.
20MIN/CELIA NOGLER
Question from a reader of “20 minutes”
The other day, I almost crashed my car into one of those rental electric scooters without license plates, because the driver suddenly turned left in front of me without waving. Aren’t electric scooters subject to rules?
Response from Viva’s team of mobility experts*
Unfortunately, in everyday life, one often gets the impression that scooters and e-scooters, which reach 20 km/h and do not require a traffic permit, are exempt from all regulations. Of course, they are not: legally, they are assimilated to bicycles. Unfortunately, electric scooters almost never have indicators, the change of direction must be announced by a sign of the hand at the risk of having to pay a fine of 20 francs, or even 30 francs if you turn left. If one hand is taken off the handlebars, electric scooters do tend to be unstable, but it’s up to the rider to control the vehicle safely enough to wave. To turn, the hand can be put back on the handlebars. An overrun must also be reported.
Sidewalks are prohibited unless explicitly permitted.
Team of mobility experts
Before the manoeuvre, don’t forget to take a look behind you. As a reminder, here are other rules: even during the day, you must drive with the lights on – at least at the front – and on cycle paths or lanes, if not on the right side of the road. Sidewalks are prohibited unless explicitly permitted for bicycles. You must be at least 14 years old and up to 16 years old, the M license is necessary. You must park in the marked places or, failing that, on the sidewalk, respecting a minimum space of 1.5 meters on the sides. Helmet and private liability insurance are optional, but highly recommended.
The Confederation plans to tighten the regulations for electric scooters.
Team of mobility experts
In the future, the Confederation also plans to tighten the regulations relating to these fashionable cars which drive at 20 km / h, probably because of the increasing number of accidents involving them. According to the Federal Roads Office, the consultation procedure on the subject is ongoing until the autumn and should relate, among other things, to registration requirements and the possible obligation to wear a helmet.
Send your questions by e-mail to [email protected]. The most interesting current questions, as well as their answers, will be published each week in the Lifestyle section of “20 minutes”.
*Viva mobility experts
The newsdesk of the Zurich communication agency Viva is staffed by two long-time mobility experts, Timothy Pfannkuchen and Jürg A. Stettler. In particular, he develops guides for the Swiss Professional Automobile Union (UPSA), the Road Safety Council and other customers in the mobility sector. Its mission is to make understandable subjects that can be thorny.
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