Germany set to make rental e-scooter operators liable for accidents

Measures would make it easier for victims to seek compensation, with companies such as Bolt and Lime held responsible for damage

Victims hit by rental e-scooters on German streets will have an easier time gaining compensation from their operators under legislation due to pass parliament that would put the vehicles on a similar legal footing to cars.

The draft law by the right-left coalition government, which has been welcomed by consumer rights advocates, says that given the rapid rise in the use of e-scooters in recent years coupled with high accident rates, rental operators such as Lime and Bolt should be held liable.