The Swedish Transport Agency is now tasked with developing proposals on how the legislation can be tightened.
An important part of the Swedish Transport Agency's mission is to look at the Nordic countries and what measures they have taken, says Minister of Infrastructure Andreas Carlson (KD).
Denmark, for example, has a helmet requirement for everyone who rides an electric scooter, not just for children under 15, as in Sweden. The minister does not currently want to take a position on a general helmet requirement, but believes it is one of the issues the Swedish Transport Agency should investigate.
Major accident investigation
In neighboring countries, there are also age limits of 12 and 15 years, respectively, while there is no age limit in Sweden. Similarly, drink-driving legislation in Norway, Denmark and Finland also applies to electric scooter riders, while the vehicles here are classified as bicycles and therefore there is no exact blood alcohol limit.
Between 2024 and 2025, electric scooter accidents in Sweden increased by 38 percent.
In Sweden, it is obvious that legislation has not kept up, and that is why the Swedish Transport Agency is now given a very concrete assignment to develop measures that are sharp and can address these dismal accident statistics.
A fundamental difference between Sweden and its three closest neighboring countries is that electric scooters here are not classified as small electric vehicles, but as bicycles.
In light of the fact that accidents have now increased, it is reasonable to develop separate and stricter legislation linked to electric scooters, says Andreas Carlson.
Poor compliance
When asked why the government has not taken the initiative to do this earlier, he points out that the regulations have been tightened in several areas. There is a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour, it is forbidden to ride on bicycle paths or sidewalks, and there is a helmet requirement for children under 15 years of age.
At the same time, compliance is poor and therefore it must be made more difficult to sell electric scooters that can exceed the maximum speed, he believes. He also points to the responsibility of parents.
It doesn't matter much if you tighten the regulations if compliance doesn't keep up. Now there has to be tightening.
The Swedish Transport Agency's mandate runs until 2028, but according to Andreas Carlson, some proposals for regulatory changes are expected as early as next year.
Classification: In Sweden, electric scooters are classified as bicycles, while in Denmark, Finland and Norway they are classified as small electric motor vehicles.
Age limit: 12 years in Norway, 15 years in Denmark and Finland, none in Sweden.
Helmet requirement: In Norway and Sweden for children under 15 years of age, in Denmark for all ages and in Finland there is a strong recommendation to use a helmet.
Drunk driving: In Norway, Denmark and Finland, the same rules apply as for other motor vehicles. In Sweden, the drunk-driving legislation does not apply to electric scooters. However, for all vehicles in Sweden, including electric scooters, the following applies: “Vehicles may not be driven by anyone who, due to illness, fatigue, the influence of alcohol, other stimulants or narcotics, or for other reasons, is unable to drive the vehicle safely.”
Source: Swedish Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
