E-scooters run rampant in Slovenian cities, endangering pedestrians

Electric scooters are increasingly dominating pedestrian spaces in Slovenian cities, and the number of accidents involving them is rising annually. A short walk through Ljubljana's streets reveals that speed limits for these quiet, fast vehicles exist mostly on paper.

Last year, police handled 300 traffic accidents involving e-scooter riders, a 12% increase from the previous year. According to police data, 45 people were seriously injured and 193 sustained minor injuries in these incidents. This year, two e-scooter riders have already lost their lives, with 23 seriously injured and 88 with minor injuries, as reported by the Traffic Safety Agency (AVP).

The majority of injuries occur during the summer months. In just over a month, from late May to early July, the number of seriously injured individuals nearly doubled, according to AVP data. While many European cities are opting to ban shared e-scooters, they remain permitted in Slovenia, despite growing concerns about public safety.

Authorities are urging riders to adhere to traffic regulations, particularly speed limits, and to be mindful of pedestrians. The rise in accidents underscores a growing challenge for urban mobility management as cities grapple with the popularity of e-scooters and their impact on street safety.