Electric scooter companies in Oslo are implementing immediate safety measures following city demands. Voi, Ryde, and Bolt will reduce speeds and acceleration on their rental scooters.
City officials called for urgent action after e-scooter injuries more than doubled this year. Over 1,000 people received medical treatment for e-scooter injuries in Oslo through October.
Oslo's environment and transport commissioner said the changes take effect immediately. The commissioner stated companies must take responsibility for reducing accidents.
Voi's communications chief acknowledged the measures will challenge their operations. He said they must meet city expectations despite potential customer dissatisfaction.
The companies expect to ban approximately 4,000 customers by year's end. They're lowering suspension thresholds for rule violations.
Some users will likely dislike these changes, the Voi representative noted. Most customers follow rules properly, but companies must remove those who don't behave responsibly.
Companies say these steps are necessary to keep e-scooters in Oslo's transportation system. They hope to see immediate safety improvements.
The new measures will be evaluated next spring. Oslo's urban environment agency and transport researchers will participate in the assessment.
Sidewalk riding is now explicitly prohibited. All users will receive instructions banning pavement operation.
This safety push follows an October meeting where officials demanded action. The injury increase coincided with Oslo doubling permitted e-scooter numbers from 8,000 to 16,000 last spring.
Many Oslo residents report feeling unsafe near e-scooters. Some say they actively avoid sidewalks where scooters operate.
The city's approach shows how Nordic regulators balance innovation with public safety. When accident rates spiked, officials moved quickly rather than waiting for perfect data.