can you ride a scooter on the highway
As urban mobility evolves, electric scooters have become essential for short-distance travel, but highway riding remains a major concern. According to the European Transport Safety Council’s (ETSC) 2025 Micromobility Safety Report, e-scooter accident rates on highways are 18 times higher than on regular roads, with a staggering 94% fatality rate. This comprehensive guide examines current EU and North American regulations, safety risks, and legal alternatives to help riders make informed decisions.
1. Legal Restrictions: Why E-Scooters Are Highway Banned
Performance Limitations
- Speed: EU 2025 regulations require minimum 65 km/h highway speeds – most e-scooters max out at 25-30 km/h
- Range: Average 35-45 km range falls short of highway distance requirements
- Stability: Lightweight designs (18-25 kg) can’t handle highway crosswinds
2024-2025 Legal Updates
| Country | Regulation | Penalties | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | StVG §21a revised | €600 max fine | Smart cameras |
| France | Loi 2024-789 | €400+impound | Drone patrols |
| California | CVC §21235 amended | $400 minimum | Targeted checks |
Warning Cases
- UK M1 Motorway: 14-vehicle pileup caused by illegal e-scooter (2024)
- Italy Autostrade: Testing new warning systems for micromobility (2025)
- Texas Toll Roads: Allowing certain e-motorcycles (45+ km/h minimum)
2. Documented Safety Risks
ETSC 2025 Findings
- Speed differential: 95 km/h gap between cars (120 km/h) and scooters (25 km/h)
- Visibility: 82% of night accidents involve insufficient reflectivity
- Braking distance: 9-11 meters required even on dry pavement
Engineering Challenges Testing shows a 15kg e-scooter experiences about 45 Newtons of lateral force in 80 km/h crosswinds – equivalent to a 4.5kg push while riding. This explains why even experienced riders lose control on highways.
Recent Accidents
- Berlin A100: Modified battery fire (2024)
- Los Angeles 405 Freeway: Scooter sucked under truck (2025)
- Paris Périphérique: GPS misrouting incident (2024)
3. Legal Alternative Solutions
Multimodal Options
- Train + Scooter: Note Deutsche Bahn’s 125cm size limit (2025)
- Intercity Buses: FlixBus policy (€15 fee for folded scooters)
- Car Transport: Yakima EXO lift system (€249)
Vehicle Upgrades
- Speed Pedelecs: L1e-B compliant models like Trek Allant+ 9S
- E-Motorcycles: License requirements (EU A1 category)
- Mopeds: 50cc highway capability comparisons
Rental Services
- Car sharing: Getaround short-term rates
- Motorcycle rental: EagleRider’s updated 2025 insurance
- Cargo options: Uber Freight intercity pricing
4. Handling Police Stops
Immediate Actions
- Activate hazard lights
- Move straight to shoulder
- Keep feet grounded
- Ask politely about violation
Legal Defense
- Preserve GPS navigation history
- Show original specifications (highlight max speed)
- Know local exemptions (e.g., medical emergencies)
Next Steps
- Sample appeal letter (EU compliant)
- Specialized traffic lawyers
- Third-party insurance claims process
5. 2025 Safety Innovations
Prevention Tech
- Roadside millimeter-wave radar
- Onboard geofencing GPS
- Centralized traffic monitoring
Navigation Updates
- Google Maps “Micromobility Safe Routes”
- Waze e-scooter hazard tags
- Local apps like Blitzer.de highway alerts
Vehicle Advances
- Bosch 3rd-gen ARAS (Anti-Rollover)
- Panasonic solid-state battery tech
- BMW-developed V2X communication
6. Professional Safety Practices
Route Planning
- Use Komoot for bike-friendly paths
- Avoid truck routes (GPS heatmaps)
- Choose 1.5m+ wide separated lanes
Essential Gear
- Required: ECE-R22.06 helmet (2025)
- Recommended: POC Omne Air SPIN helmet
- Tool: Digital pressure gauge (2.8-3.2 bar)
Weather Adjustments
- High winds: Reduce speed by 60%
- Heavy rain: Carbon brake pads + 10m spacing
- Cold weather: Battery warmers (-10°C tips)
7. Rider Experiences
Novascooter member “HighwayHazard” advises: “My Xiaomi Pro 2’s bright brake lights saved me when GPS wrongly directed onto Germany’s A8.” Another user warns: “Always verify CE certification – it prevented my €500 fine at the French border.”
Costly Mistakes
- Voided insurance from modifications (Munich 2025 case)
- Missing cross-border coverage (Swiss-Italian checkpoint)
- Entering autonomous truck lanes (Rotterdam 2024)
Expert Tips
- Weekly tire checks (minimum 1.2mm tread)
- PD-compatible portable chargers
- Local rider groups (UK e-Scooter Riders)
- Biannual DEKRA safety courses
Conclusion: Smart Urban Mobility
With 2025’s clear regulations, e-scooters belong in cities – not on highways. Through this guide’s legal analysis, safety data, and alternatives, riders can choose wisely. For more insights, Novascooter’s community experiences and official safety workshops offer valuable resources. Remember: Safe arrivals always trump risky shortcuts.