During the inspection conducted on Thursday, June 25, a total of 34 violations were identified. Twelve people were stopped while riding scooters in the pedestrian zone, and three others were stopped on the sidewalk. Four vehicles were also found to be carrying multiple passengers. In three cases, violations of the Compulsory Insurance Act were documented. A particularly troubling incident involved a person who appeared to be heavily under the influence of drugs or was dealing in narcotics.

In general, misconduct on an electric scooter comes at a high cost: Using a cell phone while riding is punishable by a 100-euro fine and one demerit point. Running a red light can result in a fine of up to 180 euros as well as one demerit point in Flensburg. Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs can even result in a driving ban. If parents or older siblings allow children under the age of 14 to ride e-scooters, they, too, face a fine of up to 90 euros and a point on their record in Flensburg.

“It should be common knowledge by now that the pedestrian zone is off-limits to e-scooters,” explains Peter Erkel, department head of the Wiesbaden City Police. “Nevertheless, you don’t have to wait long to see these devices on Langgasse or at Michelsberg.”  The city and state police have therefore already announced that they will continue their increased enforcement efforts in the future.

Those affected will now receive a notice from the authorities: The fine for a violation in the pedestrian zone is usually 25 euros—but depending on the offense, it can be significantly higher. Protecting the most vulnerable road users is an absolute priority here: “E-scooters may weigh up to 55 kilograms. Anyone who hits a child with such a vehicle in the pedestrian zone, for example, risks causing very serious injuries,” warns Erkel.

That said, some regulations have changed in the past: Since mid-2026, e-scooters have been treated the same as bicycles in many respects when it comes to road traffic. Riding on sidewalks is prohibited. If there is a requirement to use bike lanes, e-scooters must also use them. Otherwise, the rule is: riders must use the roadway. However, the rule for pedestrian zones remains unchanged and particularly clear: e-scooters are generally prohibited there. The traffic sign “Bicycle Traffic Permitted” expressly does not apply to electric scooters in pedestrian zones.

“For quite some time now, city and state police have viewed the rise in these violations—some of which are very dangerous—with great concern,” confirms Sejdullah Kqiku, press spokesperson for the Wiesbaden Police Department. For this reason, enforcement checks have also increased steadily. In the experience of law enforcement officers, many people are understanding when approached. “But we need to take even stronger preventive action, especially among younger people,” says Kqiku. “For example, when several people are riding on a single scooter, that’s very reckless and dangerous behavior,” the press spokesperson concludes.