The cities of Düsseldorf and Duisburg in Germany are set to implement a ban on electric scooters in public transport, starting from March. The decision comes as the public transport companies Rheinbahn and DVG have decided to prohibit the use of electric scooters on buses and trains from 1 March onwards. The move follows a recommendation by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), which has been adopted by “numerous other transport companies,” although it is not yet clear whether Rheinbahn and DVG are among them.
The VDV operations committee has extensively discussed the issue, particularly in light of several incidents involving electric scooters catching fire in public transport in other European countries. As a result, the VDV does not recommend the use of electric scooters as a matter of principle.
This decision aligns with similar actions taken in Spain late last year, where Madrid led the way in implementing a ban, alongside temporary bans in Barcelona and a rush hour ban in Seville. Additionally, bans on electric scooters have been enforced in Hamburg and London, reflecting a growing trend toward regulating the use of these vehicles in urban environments.