Parents lack knowledge of electric scooter rules, study finds

Parents in Sweden are showing significant gaps in their knowledge regarding the rules for electric scooters, a situation that is contributing to a rise in accidents involving children, according to a report by Dagens Nyheter.

The National Traffic Safety Board (NTF) highlights that children under 18 represent the demographic with the most substantial increase in electric scooter-related injuries. Many of these incidents involve privately owned scooters that exceed legal speed limits or motor power.

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Among the privately owned electric scooters, we see quite clearly that many children are riding, and among the dealers, there are many models that go faster than 20 km/h and have a motor power over the permitted 250 watts. Then the electric scooter is illegal, and you as a parent can be fined if your child rides one.

Emelie Hedberg, a project manager at NTF, stated that while many parents are aware of the 20 km/h speed limit, they often disregard it. Similarly, the prohibition against carrying a passenger is frequently ignored, with parents sometimes seen giving rides to their children.

Hedberg noted that some scooters sold are capable of speeds exceeding 20 km/h and have motor power above the permitted 250 watts, making them illegal. Parents can face fines if their children ride such devices.

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Our survey shows that many parents know the speed limit but ignore it. The same applies when it comes to giving rides. It is forbidden to ride more than one person on an electric scooter, but at the same time, several parents give rides to their children on electric scooters.

Despite these concerns, the NTF survey found that nearly nine out of ten parents ensure their children wear helmets and are aware of the helmet requirement for children up to 15 years old. However, NTF advocates for stricter regulations, including age limits and alcohol limits for riding electric scooters, citing concerns about children's coordination and motor skills on these heavy vehicles with small wheels.

The survey also indicated that children primarily use electric scooters for convenience and because their friends have them. A third of parents admitted to not knowing the motor power of their children's scooters or the specific regulations concerning them. NTF advises parents to verify the legality of scooters, ensure children do not exceed speed limits, avoid carrying passengers, wear helmets, and ride only on bike paths.

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For the first, check that the electric scooter is legal. If it goes faster than permitted and has higher motor power, the child should not ride it. Then parents must talk to their children about not giving rides, wearing helmets, only riding on bike paths, and not riding side-by-side. If you buy an electric scooter for your child, it is also important to get to know it when you