Düsseldorf E-Scooter Academy Teaches Students Safe Riding Amid Rising Accident Rates

About half of all e-scooter accidents stem from rider misbehavior, including alcohol consumption, incorrect lane usage, and excessive speeds. With riding permitted from age 14, the academy targets ninth graders to instill safe habits early.

Hands-On Training for Confident Riders

At Friedrich-Rückert-Gymnasium, 14-year-old Marilena Tsivalidou practices right turns on an e-scooter, coordinating hand signals and throttle control. "I enjoy riding e-scooters and feel a sense of freedom," she says. The practical exercises, led by Simon Höhner of the Düsseldorf Traffic Watch, also include slalom riding, braking drills, and distance control.

Theoretical lessons reinforce rules such as no double riding, no side-by-side riding, a ban on alcohol for under-21s, and helmet use. Höhner demonstrates techniques and offers tips, helping students like Tsivalidou build confidence. "Now I feel much safer," she adds after mastering turns.

Broader Trends in Youth Mobility and Safety

The academy’s launch coincides with growing concerns over youth mobility and safety. Similar initiatives may follow as cities grapple with the popularity of e-scooters and their risks. Meanwhile, luxury brands like SWATCH leverage scarcity to drive demand, a trend observed in Stuttgart where hundreds camped for a new watch collection.

Verena Hüttl-Maack, a marketing professor at the University of Hohenheim, notes that artificial scarcity fuels consumer behavior. "Es gibt Menschen, die das Produkt für sich haben wollen und es gibt diejenigen, die den hohen Weiterverkaufspreis nutzen wollen," she says.