Finland imposes fines for multiple riders on electric scooters, with companies monitoring misuse through GPS technology

During the summer season, electric scooters, often carrying two or even three people, are a common sight in traffic. However, few people realize that riding with a friend on a single scooter can result in a €40 traffic fine, and riders can be located. In Finland, riding an electric scooter with more than one person is a violation of the Road Traffic Act, and the police have the right to issue a traffic fine for this illegal activity.

In addition to the police, electric scooter companies are also monitoring their riders. Nowadays, those misusing electric scooters can be traced using GPS technology, according to Hannu Oskala, the head of community relations at the electric scooter company, Voi.

On Voi’s website, there is a function called “Report Voi” through which anyone can report illegal or inappropriate behavior by scooter riders. When making a report, one can include details like the street name to help locate the rider more accurately. If the company learns that a rider has broken the law and violated the terms of service, they can revoke the rider’s access to the service, says Oskala.

According to Oskala, it’s especially common for young people to ride together on an electric scooter. He emphasizes that it would be beneficial for parents to discuss with those under 18 that they shouldn’t ride the electric scooter at all. He also points out that when there are multiple people on a scooter, attention wanes and steering becomes difficult, which increases the risk of accidents.