Overview
- Lawmakers in the Bundestag approved the reform on Thursday, July 9, 2026, after the Bundesrat raised no objections in May.
- The law creates a fault‑independent owner liability that lets victims claim damages from rental operators when the rider cannot be found.
- Claims over injuries or damage caused by improperly parked rental scooters will no longer require proof that a rider parked the vehicle badly.
- The rule covers self‑balancing vehicles such as electric scooters and Segways and explicitly excludes devices like ride‑on lawnmowers and electric mobility aids.
- Officials and industry experts say the change responds to rising accident numbers and will likely mean higher insurance costs, stricter fleet controls, and faster removal of dangerous or badly parked scooters when the law takes effect, expected at the start of the quarter after publication, likely October 2026.