MHF calls for alcohol and age limits for e-scooter riders

06.07.2026 - MHF is calling for a legal blood alcohol limit and zero tolerance for riding under the influence, as well as mandatory helmet use for e-scooter riders of all ages. The proposals were adopted on Sunday during the annual meeting of the Swedish road safety organisation MHF.

The number of accidents involving e-scooters is rising dramatically. According to statistics from the Swedish Transport Agency, seven people were killed and nearly 6,500 were injured in traffic accidents involving e-scooters last year.

One particularly striking finding is that, during the past four years, the majority of people killed while riding e-scooters were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Helmet use is also very low among both young and older riders.

While Denmark, Norway and Finland have introduced legal blood alcohol limits for e-scooter riders, Sweden has yet to adopt similar legislation.

“You can be convicted of careless driving if you pose a danger to yourself or others, but you can never be convicted of driving under the influence while riding an e-scooter. That is a scandal,” says Tomas Jonsson, road safety expert at MHF.

Throughout the year, MHF carries out several activities aimed at preventing e-scooter accidents and building public support for stronger regulation. Among other things, the organisation monitors the speed and helmet use of e-scooter riders at 20 locations across Sweden. However, political decisions and legislative changes will be needed to reverse the negative trend.

Several important policy positions were adopted at MHF’s annual meeting on Sunday. The organisation is calling first for the introduction of a legal blood alcohol limit, followed by a minimum age requirement for e-scooter riders. The minimum age is 12 in Norway and 15 in Denmark and Finland.

“The situation is so serious that new laws and regulations must be introduced. Otherwise, we will never see an improvement,” Jonsson says.

Mandatory helmet use for e-scooter riders was also discussed. In Sweden, helmet use is currently compulsory for riders under the age of 15 when using bicycles, electric bicycles and e-scooters. However, the majority of people who are seriously injured or killed are older than 15. MHF therefore believes that the helmet requirement should apply to riders of all ages.

“This is entirely reasonable and fully consistent with Sweden’s Vision Zero road safety policy,” Jonsson says.

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Source: MHF