The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a new set of strict safety measures for electric scooters following a dramatic rise in accident-related injuries across the country, particularly in the capital Oslo.

According to recent data from the Ministry of Transport, the number of people injured in e-scooter accidents in Oslo has nearly doubled compared to last year, prompting authorities to advance stronger regulations.

Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygard said the spike in serious injuries had reached an unacceptable level. “In recent years, many people have been seriously injured on electric scooters. We are now working on concrete measures to reduce the number of accidents,” he stated.

One of the key proposals being evaluated is an increase in the minimum legal age for e-scooter use. The current age limit—set at 12 years in 2022—has not been effective in reducing the number of child injuries. Officials say younger riders lack sufficient traffic awareness, making them more vulnerable to accidents.

“Given the current accident trend, a higher age limit must be seriously considered,” Nygard noted.

Authorities are also planning tougher action against the illegal sale of high-speed e-scooters. While the legal speed limit for scooters in Norway is 20 km/h, some retailers continue to sell modified or imported models capable of much higher speeds.

Nygard warned that such scooters cannot be insured and may leave users liable for legal and financial consequences if they cause an accident.

To improve pedestrian safety, the Ministry of Transport intends to give municipalities greater authority to ban scooters from sidewalks. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has been instructed to design new traffic signs allowing local authorities to restrict sidewalk use in high-risk areas.

The government is also pushing for stricter enforcement of existing rules. The Roads Administration has been asked to increase inspections and collaborate more closely with police to address speeding, intoxicated riding, and the use of illegal scooter models.

The rise in e-scooter injuries mirrors broader European concerns. As reported by Xinhua News Agency, Norway is among several countries weighing new safety measures amid a continent-wide surge in accidents involving personal electric vehicles.

The proposed regulations will undergo further review before being finalized and implemented nationwide. (ILKHA)