Madrid Bans the Carriage of Electric Scooters in Public Transport

Madrid, along with other Spanish cities, follows Barcelona's example and imposes restrictions on transporting electric scooters in public transport following a train fire incident, as reported by Elektrek.

In October, a malfunctioning electric scooter battery caused an explosion in the Madrid metro. It shattered windows in the carriage and caused other damage to the rolling stock, although no passengers were seriously injured. Nevertheless, the risk of smoke, fire, and potential harm to passengers from debris led the local authorities to decide on a ban on carrying such transport devices in the public transport system of the Spanish capital.

The ban on transporting electric scooters in public transport is also in effect in other European cities. In London, a ban is in place for all private electric scooters and monowheels in public transport, including buses and the metro, due to the risk of toxic smoke released from faulty batteries or their ignition and explosions. A previous incident occurred in a crowded London subway train when an electric scooter caught fire. No one was harmed, but one passenger reportedly inhaled smoke.

The London municipal authorities continue to investigate this issue, and the ban may be lifted if the safety of private electric transport in the subway and buses can be demonstrated.

This summer, Hamburg also banned the use of electric scooters in its metro until the transportation company Hamburger Hochbahn can prove otherwise.

Last year in Barcelona, an electric scooter's battery exploded and caught fire on a train, resulting in three people getting injured, leading to the prohibition of electric scooters in the city's public transport. Seville has also implemented similar restrictions, but only during rush hours and on weekends.

It's worth noting that starting from September 1st in Paris, electric scooters can no longer be rented. This decision was the outcome of a city-wide referendum on the use of electric scooters. It was driven by concerns about the scattered scooters throughout the city and the safety of their users. More than 100,000 Parisians participated in the vote, with 89% expressing their support for the ban.