E-scooter ban in Bad Dürkheim: Court makes a clear decision!

E-scooter ban in Bad Dürkheim: Court makes a clear decision!

E-scooters are very popular in cities and are a practical means of transport for short distances. But these modern electric scooters also come with some challenges. In particular, the problem of blocking sidewalks and the associated safety risks is increasingly affecting the cityscape. Examples of this can also be found in Bad Dürkheim, where an entrepreneur went to court to offer e-scooter tours through vineyards. However, this request was initially rejected by the city of Bad Dürkheim, and the Neustadt administrative court also confirmed the decision with a clear ban. Reports on this decision Mercury, and explains that leisure activities are not permitted in the community without appropriate permits.

The court argued that the affected roads are only open to agricultural traffic, a fact that the applicant did not want to accept. He claimed that his throttled e-scooters with a maximum speed of 6 km/h can be classified as “ambulance elevators” and can therefore be driven anywhere where pedestrians are allowed. However, the judges rejected this argument and referred to the higher-ranking municipal regulations and the city statutes. The decision shows the need for clear rules for the use of public paths in municipalities.

The legal background

The Neustadt Administrative Court decided on September 8, 2025 (file number: 5 L 971/25.NW) that the use of municipal field and forest paths is subject to strict regulations. This makes it clear: Even if e-scooters are popular as a means of transport, they must comply with existing laws. These also include the Small Electric Vehicle Ordinance (EKfV), which stipulates that only e-scooters with an operating license may be used legally. In addition, e-scooters are subject to insurance and must have liability insurance, which is proven by an insurance sticker. The associated rules not only protect users, but also pedestrians, who can repeatedly find themselves in dangerous situations if the regulations are ignored.

According to the ruling, municipalities must also be able to regulate the use of field and forest paths, even without special permission. This means that companies that want to offer commercial e-scooter tours must adhere to municipal regulations. In most cases, commercial use is prohibited without permission. Anyone who does not adhere to these rules will face fines and points in Flensburg.

Fines and other regulations

The fines for violations of the e-scooter regulations vary widely. Users can expect to pay 15 to 30 euros for driving on the sidewalk, while running a red light can be punished with up to 180 euros. These legally established sanctions serve to protect all road users and are intended to encourage them to respect the road traffic regulations. The ADAC informs that e-scooters are allowed to ride on cycle paths and cycle lanes, but only where this is also permitted for cyclists.

In order to further increase road safety, new regulations are being planned in the future that will bring e-scooters even closer to the regulations for bicycles. These measures could include, among other things, the introduction of turn signals and separate front and rear brakes. Experts are already discussing how to improve road safety for everyone involved. Anyone who is already riding an e-scooter today should definitely be aware of the applicable rules in order to avoid inconveniences.

The discussion about e-scooters is much more than just an urban problem. It goes deep into local legislation and road safety issues. While their use is very popular, it is absolutely important to comply with the legal framework and to focus on the principle of road safety.