Europe’s Largest Economy Votes ‘Yes’ to Legalizing E-Scooters
- German upper house agrees to amend highway legislation
- Local rivals to U.S. giants race to be first to market
Photographer: Lukas Schulze/picture alliance via Getty Images
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Germany has become the latest nation to approve the use of stand-up e-scooters on roads and bicycle paths, paving the way for U.S. startups Bird Rides Inc. and Lime to enter Europe’s biggest economy.
The upper house of parliament on Friday voted to allow e-scooters with a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour (12 miles per hour) to be used by anyone age 14 and older. Steffen Bilger, a deputy Transport Minister, said last week the government is aiming for the legislation -- which prohibits scooter use on sidewalks and does not require a helmet -- to take effect next month.