Lack of significant criticism on electric scooters
In the vibrant city of Neuss, Germany, e-scooter and bike rentals have become a popular mode of short-distance transportation. These services, offered by companies such as Lime, BOLT, and SPIN, are regulated under the general German traffic laws applicable to electric scooters.
According to the regulations, e-scooter riders are required to adhere to speed limits (usually capped at 20 km/h), use bike lanes or roads (not sidewalks), and be at least 14 years old. Helmet use is recommended but not mandatory, and liability insurance is required, typically covered by the rental provider.
However, the city has faced challenges integrating e-scooters safely into existing traffic and pedestrian infrastructure. Balancing convenience, safety, and city regulations has been a ongoing process.
One of the main criticisms regarding e-scooter rentals in Neuss is the concentration of parked scooters at the edges of business areas, such as Gnadental, Holzheim, or Grefrath. Companies have taken steps to address this issue, with specific areas designated for offering and parking scooters and bikes. The number of devices offered per provider is limited to 200.
In 2021, one provider reported around 100,000 scooter rentals and nearly 15,000 bike rentals in Neuss. On average, scooters were moved 1.5 times a day, while bikes were rented every other day. However, the number of complaints about improperly parked scooters decreased in the fall months but has been increasing in recent weeks.
The handling of complaints and swift resolution by companies will influence the extension of special use permits. For instance, the special use permit extension for LIME is on the agenda for May 2022, while BOLT's permit expires in October 2023.
Unlike in Cologne, no incidents of rental devices being thrown into the Rhine or its harbor basins have been reported in Neuss. SPIN discontinued its service nationwide as of January 31, 2022, while GO withdrew its mopeds from Neuss, focusing solely on Saarbrücken in the future.
Currently, the city has only received an inquiry from another provider for a usage permit. In 2021, GO joined as another company providing e-mopeds ("Vespa class") in Neuss.
The deputy mayor of Neuss, Christoph Höltgens, stated that the market regulates itself. The city administration maintains constant dialogue with the remaining providers to keep the number of complaint reasons as low as possible.
While users experience frequent technical issues with the rental app, such as difficulty scanning codes to start rides, server responsiveness problems that prevent ride termination, and billing errors, the city continues to support and monitor the e-scooter and bike rental services in Neuss.
[1] Source: Various online news articles and user reviews.
- The home-and-garden sector in Neuss might find potential in the increasing use of e-scooters, as more people opt for short-distance transportation, freeing up personal vehicles for other purposes.
- The automotive industry could also keep a keen eye on the e-scooter and bike rental trends in Neuss, as such services might impact the demand for personal vehicles and, subsequently, the auto financing sector.
- In the realms of lifestyle and urban planning, the challenges faced by Neuss in integrating e-scooters safely into traffic and pedestrian infrastructure could serve as valuable insights for other cities looking to implement similar services.
