Norway looks ready to tighten its e-scooter rules after a year filled with crashes and long hospital lists. Many riders enjoy quick trips through Oslo and other cities. Even so, the sharp rise in injuries pushed the government to react. The Ministry of Transport now works on a stricter package that aims to keep the vehicles on the road while cutting the number of serious accidents.
In the last year, emergency rooms across Oslo saw more than twice as many injured riders as before. Doctors describe busy weekends with long lines of people who fell on wet roads or crashed after late-night trips. Riders arrive with broken arms, cuts, and head injuries. Some cases involve powerful private scooters that run far above the legal speed limit, and the outcome often looks severe.
Young riders create extra concern. Many teens ride without helmets and move fast on pavements. So parents now face stronger calls to talk with their kids about safe riding habits. One small mistake on a crowded street can end in a long recovery. Then the family feels the cost.
Current laws already look clear. Riders must be at least 12. Helmets stay mandatory until age 15. The alcohol limit matches the one for car drivers. The top legal speed is 20 km/h. Riders must slow down to walking pace in busy areas. Each scooter needs valid insurance, and only one rider can stand on the deck at a time. These rules help, yet accident numbers show that they are not enough on their own.
Even so, the government wants a fresh start. The main push comes from illegal scooters and tuning kits that remove factory speed limits. Some private models reach motorcycle speeds and give riders a false sense of control. Once these scooters show up in traffic, the risk climbs fast. Police already report many cases where children learned to unlock limiters through online videos. Then the scooter turns into something far stronger than the law allows.
Because of this rise in dangerous scooters, the ministry prepares four major changes. First, leaders plan a higher minimum age. Safety groups support an age of 16, and the data suggest that older teens manage traffic better.
Next, officials want stronger tools against illegal scooters. Shops that sell powerful models may soon face checks and sanctions. Riders who buy such models may also find it harder to register or insure them. This shift matters, since insurance plays a big role in crash claims. When a scooter sits outside the legal class, riders take on full financial risk.
The third part of the plan focuses on city control. Local councils may soon gain the right to block scooters from narrow pavements. They may also set clear parking zones and limit late-night riding in nightlife areas. Cities across Europe already follow this path, and many report calmer streets after the change.
The fourth part supports better enforcement. Police and road inspectors plan joint checks that target speed, alcohol use, and insurance. These checks already exist, but new rules will make them more frequent. In many cases, this step reduces crashes because riders behave better when they expect real checks.
While safety sits at the core of the debate, the country still sees e-scooters as a clean way to move through busy cities. Many people use them for short trips to work or school. That said, the government wants fewer injuries and better behavior on shared paths. Riders can help by paying attention to folding parts, since weak stems and clamps sometimes fail. For a deeper look at that problem, see this guide on folding mechanism issues.
Norway also tracks new safety tech. One example is the rising interest in protective gear and new ideas like city-grade airbags. Riders who want to stay safer can read about the new concept here: electric scooter airbag concept.
These changes will shape the next stage of Norway’s e-scooter rules. Riders who follow the law will still enjoy quick trips through the city. Riders who ignore it will face stronger penalties. In the end, the goal is simple. Keep the streets open to scooters, but keep people safe at the same time.