New law on its way: Remember a helmet when riding an electric scooter

As of January 1, 2022, it will be a legal requirement to wear a helmet when riding any motorized scooter or small vehicle.

The Minister of Transportation, Benny Engelbrecht, is already urging everyone to wear a helmet.

The news were announced in a press release by the Ministry of Transporation.

Electric scooters have become extremely popular in Aalborg, and Aalborg Municipality has both increased the number of scooters as well as expanded the zones in which you can ride them.

In contrast, Copenhagen is applying more restrictions by reducing the areas for riding and parking the motorized scooters.

Risk is seven times higher than bicycles

The risk of being involved in a traffic accident is seven times higher for electric scooters than bicycles.

This number stems from the Danish Transport Authority’s evaluation of the pilot scheme for motorized scooters.

In response, the Minister of Transportation, Benny Engelbrecht, is introducing new safety requirements.

“We must all be able to travel safely and securely in traffic. Including those who are riding an electric scooter, but unfortunately, this is not the case today.

We need to do something and reverse the trend so fewer people get hurt. Thus, I have decided to introduce the legal requirement that everyone who rides electric scooters must wear helmets,” Benny Engelbrecht explains.

A helmet-share system to be introduced

The new requirement goes into effect on January 1, 2022.

The Minister of Transportation expects that rental companies will spend the time until 2022 to establish a system enabling all users to access a helmet when renting and riding the electric scooters.

Introducing a helmet-share system is particularly challenging due to the risk of spreading COVID-19.

“The new helmet requirement will come into effect as we transition from 2021 to 2022 because we are living in a pandemic and need to avoid sharing items.  For the same reason, there are fewer scooter users now as well.

Many are staying at home or are using other forms of transportation. With that said, we encourage all scooter users to find a helmet now,” the Minister of Transportation says.

It is always the individual who is responsible for finding and wearing a helmet.

This new requirement is not only for electric scooters but also for motorized skateboards and self-balance vehicles.

The new safety helmet requirement will come into effect on January 1, 2022.