Blind Association Files Lawsuit Over E-Scooter Congestion on Berlin Sidewalks
The issue of e-scooters obstructing sidewalks in Berlin has reached a critical point, prompting legal action from the General Blind and Visually Impaired Association of Berlin (ABSV). A court hearing is scheduled for October 1, where the association will present its case against the free-floating e-scooter model currently in practice.
The ABSV is advocating for the establishment of designated parking areas for e-scooters, which would replace the chaotic and often hazardous situation presented by scooters parked indiscriminately on sidewalks. This potential shift could significantly impact the operational framework of e-scooter providers in the city.
According to the ABSV, the special use permit granted by the Berlin government is unlawful and poses risks to pedestrian safety. The lawsuit was initiated in September 2022 due to concerns over improperly parked e-scooters creating obstacles that threaten the safety of visually impaired individuals. The association's chairman has expressed that such obstructions not only pose a serious risk of accidents but also represent a regression in terms of accessibility for people with disabilities.
The association seeks the cancellation of the existing special use permit and demands the implementation of mandatory parking stations away from pedestrian pathways. Currently, there are 257 designated parking spots, known as Jelbi stations, available across Berlin. However, the ABSV asserts that these are insufficient in addressing the ongoing issues of disorder and danger presented by the current system.
Michael Richter, a lawyer representing the ABSV, who is also visually impaired, expressed hope that the court's decision will lead to the termination of the free-floating e-scooter model in favor of a more organized system.
The ongoing debate surrounding e-scooters in Berlin is compounded by a rising number of accidents involving these vehicles. A recent survey indicated that nearly half of the e-scooter accident victims are under 25 years old, raising further concerns about the safety implications of their widespread use.
In light of these developments, cities such as Paris have taken steps to ban the use of electric rental scooters altogether, highlighting a growing trend among urban centers to regulate or eliminate e-scooter services in response to safety concerns.
Critics of the current regulatory framework argue that proposed reforms to the Electric Small Vehicles Ordinance could relax existing safety measures, thus favoring service providers at the expense of pedestrian safety. A study by the Foot Traffic Association reveals that e-scooters account for a mere 0.1% of all trips in Berlin, and without fixed stations, 56% of scooters are found parked in ways that impede pedestrian movement.
Despite the growing urgency of these issues, the Berlin Senate has reportedly slowed down the expansion of parking stations due to budget constraints, leaving many concerns unresolved and the safety of pedestrians and people with disabilities in jeopardy.