E-Scooters in Erlangen

In Erlangen, e-scooter rentals are operated by the following providers.

DOTT (formerly TIER)
Email: support@ridedott.com or erlangen@ridedott.com
Website:Dott | E-Scooters
Report an e-scooter: Report a Dott e-scooter

VOI
Phone: +49 1573 5993270
Email: support@voiapp.io
Website:Voi | E-scooters and e-bikes for rent
Report an e-scooter: Voi Scooters—Report a problem or use Scooter-Melder.de

BOLT
Phone: +49 30 568 373 989
Email: germany-rentals@bolt.eu
Website: E-Scooter Rental | Bolt
Report an e-scooter: Report an improperly parked e-scooter | Bolt e-scooters or Scooter-Melder.de

Contact the City of Erlangen
Email: e-scooter@stadt.erlangen.de

There are currently three service providers operating in Erlangen. The service area is divided into different zones, each with a set maximum number of vehicles, which is allocated among the active providers. A total of 975 vehicles are currently authorized throughout the city:

For private individuals, the minimum age is 14; for the use of rental systems, a minimum age of 18 has been agreed upon with the providers. Wearing a helmet is not required by law, but it is still recommended.

Since e-scooters are considered motor vehicles, the same regulations apply as for driving cars, including those regarding alcohol and drugs—in particular, the blood alcohol limit. The blood alcohol concentration limit for individuals under 21 and new drivers during their probationary period is 0.00 per mille.

Violations of legal provisions (Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) or the Small Electric Vehicles Ordinance (eKFV)) are penalized in accordance with the schedule of fines (ranging from fines and points on the driver’s record to imprisonment).

The areas where e-scooters are permitted to operate are regulated by the Small Electric Vehicles Ordinance (eKFV) and the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO). E-scooters are motor vehicles but, for the most part, may be ridden in public spaces just like bicycles. Within built-up areas, e-scooters must use bike paths or bike lanes, even if these are not mandatory for bicycles. This also includes shared pedestrian and bike paths as well as bike-only streets. If there are no bike paths, e-scooters must use the street.

Other traffic areas (e.g., pedestrian zones or sidewalks) may not be used.
Exceptions are permitted only where the additional sign “Electric Micro-Vehicles Permitted” is displayed.

©StVO: “Small electric vehicles permitted”—areas with this additional sign may be used by e-scooters.
Even if sidewalks are open to bicycle traffic via the additional sign “Bicycle Traffic Permitted,” they may not be used by e-scooters.

©StVO: Bicycles Permitted – Areas with this additional sign may not be used by e-scooters.
An exception to this rule is when a one-way street is open to traffic in the opposite direction. If cyclists are permitted to travel in the opposite direction via the “Bicycles Permitted” supplemental sign, electric micro-vehicles may also travel on the one-way street against the direction of traffic.

Out of consideration for fellow citizens, users must park their vehicles in such a way as to ensure that other road users are not obstructed. Parking is generally not permitted on emergency access routes or in driveways—particularly fire department access routes—as well as in areas designated to ensure accessibility and in green spaces. Parking e-scooters is permitted only on public roads, generally at the edge of the roadway (sidewalks, open areas)—where no more than four e-scooters may be parked side by side. There must be a distance of 50 meters between each of these points. The eKFV stipulates that e-scooters must be treated like bicycles when parked.

The vehicles must not cause obstructions when parked. To this end, they must be parked at the edge of the road or in designated parking zones. A clear passage of at least two meters must always be maintained so that the path is not blocked for pedestrians. If there is insufficient space, the vehicle may not be parked.

Access roads must also be kept clear; as with any other vehicle, entry and exit points, bus stops, fire department access routes, etc., must not be blocked.

Parking Zones

Various parking zones have been established in urban areas; for example, dedicated e-scooter parking spaces have been set up at the train station forecourt, on Nürnberger Straße (across from Rathausplatz), and at the “Mobilpunkte” (erlangen.de/mobilpunkt).

These are easily recognizable by the markings on the ground featuring the e-scooter symbol, as well as, in some cases, corresponding signage. Some providers reward parking in the designated areas with, for example, free minutes.

If an e-scooter is parked improperly, the respective provider is the point of contact. The rental companies have committed to responding immediately in cases where e-scooters obstruct traffic or pose a traffic hazard, and within six hours in cases of defective or improperly parked vehicles.

This is not within the jurisdiction of the City of Erlangen.

The providers’ contact information can be found above.

In Erlangen, agreements have been reached with e-scooter rental providers to designate areas where parking and dropping off vehicles are not permitted—so-called no-parking zones. These are areas where particular hazards to pedestrians or other road users are expected, or where parking of micro-electric vehicles is not permitted for reasons related to traffic, historic preservation, environmental protection, or urban design. Within these zones, vehicles may not be parked by users or left by providers. These areas are primarily located in pedestrian zones where the operation of small electric vehicles is prohibited under the eKFV and StVO.

In Erlangen’s downtown area, the no-parking zones include, among others, the station forecourt, the Schlossgarten, the Altstädter Kirchenplatz, the Schlossplatz, the Hugenottenplatz, the Neustädter Kirchenplatz, as well as the Bohlenplatz and the Rathausplatz. Furthermore, Nürnberger Straße and Hauptstraße—from Rathausplatz to the intersection of Wasserturmstraße and Heuwaagstraße—are also designated as no-parking zones. In the rest of the service area, the no-parking zones focus on green spaces and bodies of water. Among others, the Röthelheimpark/Exerzierplatz and the Brucker Lache fall within these no-parking zones. Detailed information on the location of the no-parking zones can be found on the map. The designated zones are to be understood as minimum requirements set by the city and may be supplemented individually by the providers. Within the no-parking zones, technical measures prevent users from completing the rental process; e-scooters can only be returned once outside the no-parking zones. It is not possible to designate all sidewalks as no-parking zones, as GPS can only delimit these areas with an accuracy of 5–10 meters.

To ensure traffic safety, the city of Erlangen has entered into a voluntary cooperation agreement with bike-sharing providers, with the goal of ensuring safe and city-friendly use of the service. Among other things, the agreement sets forth provisions regarding operation, parking, and cooperation. To create as comprehensive a document as possible, the cooperation agreement incorporates insights from other cities and the police.

The rental providers commit to the following key points in their agreement with the City of Erlangen:

• The provider and the City of Erlangen will work together in partnership to promote sustainable mobility in Erlangen.
  
  
• The City of Erlangen supports the providers through coordination, technical expertise, and the analysis of data from Erlangen’s transportation system.
  
• The provider commits to the following:
  
  
  • Only safe and approved electric micro-mobility vehicles (e-scooters) will be offered in Erlangen.
    
    
  • A total of 250 electric micro-mobility vehicles are permitted for the operating area, which includes the Downtown and Core Area zones as well as Expansion 1. An overview of the zones can be found on the map.
    
  • Users must be informed of the traffic regulations, including the recommendation to wear a helmet and the prohibition on using sidewalks.
    
    
  • Parking e-scooters is permitted only on public roads, generally in peripheral areas (sidewalks, open spaces)—where no more than four e-scooters may be parked side by side. There must be a distance of 50 m between each of these parking spots.
    
    
  • When parking, areas designated for moving traffic, emergency routes, passageways, access roads, transit stops (with a 20-meter distance between them), train platforms, bicycle parking facilities, bridges, playgrounds, curb cuts, pedestrian crossings, ramps, guideways for people with disabilities, green spaces, vending machines, and elevators, as well as nature and landscape conservation areas, must be kept clear.
    
    
  • A minimum passage width of 2.00 m must be ensured everywhere.
    
    
  • Parking on public streets is prohibited in the designated “no-parking zones” (see map).
    
  • In the event of problems, the provider must remedy the situation immediately during operating hours.
    
    
  • Of the e-scooters put into service, 80% must always be operational (battery level at least 20%).
    
    
  • Additional areas are designated where more than four scooters are parked, known as collection points:
    
    
  • Usage data is regularly provided to the City of Erlangen.
    
    
• The partners commit to regular professional exchanges with the goal of improving the systems. Before terminating the partnership, the parties will seek to engage in dialogue.

The respective provider will answer questions regarding the rental and use of its vehicles. In the event of an improperly parked e-scooter, the respective provider is the point of contact. The rental companies have committed to responding immediately in the event of e-scooters obstructing or endangering traffic, and within six hours in the case of defective or improperly parked vehicles. This does not fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Erlangen.

The City of Erlangen does not perform repairs on e-scooters.

If a shared e-scooter is defective, please contact the respective provider.
For technical defects or repairs to privately owned e-scooters, please contact the manufacturer directly or a qualified repair shop.