Rinteln. The discussion is almost as old as the pedestrian zone itself: voices are repeatedly raised in Rinteln calling for a ban on cycling in the pedestrian zone. E-scooters are actually completely banned there, but scooter riders are actually not a rare sight there and often travel at high speeds. “Tolerating this is clearly unlawful,” said Gert Armin Neuhäuser (RI) in the local council a few weeks ago.
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Now the Rinteln council group of the Schaumburg Voters’ Community (WGS) is also getting involved in the issue and has prepared a motion for the next city council meeting: The group would like to obtain a complete ban on bicycles and e-scooters through an application. “At the moment, safe traffic for pedestrians is not possible in Rinteln’s pedestrian zone. Users of bicycles and e-scooters often drive through the pedestrian zone without getting off at a speed that endangers the safety of pedestrians,” says the application submitted to the editorial team. There are already signs at the entrance to the pedestrian zone stating that bicycles are only allowed to be ridden at walking pace. “This is hardly taken into account either,” the application continues.
No race track for electric vehicles
The pedestrian zone was created by the city of Rinteln for pedestrians and they must be able to use the area safely. “It was not created as a race track for bicycles and electric vehicles,” the application continues. The group also refers to the current cycling concept for Rinteln. This recognizes an increased need for protection for pedestrians and expressly mentions the possibility of a driving license for bicycles in the pedestrian zone that is limited to a few hours a day. “Rinteln’s inclusion council as well as the senior citizens’ advisory council have correctly pointed out that the current situation is unreasonable for older people and the disabled,” the application continues.
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In the event that there is no majority for the project, the WGS already has a replacement application up its sleeve. This would limit cycling in the pedestrian zone to a maximum of 4 hours per day – during times when there are only a few pedestrians. The absolute driving ban on e-scooters should remain in place even then.
Change in the law by April 2026?
The city of Rinteln could actually explicitly allow e-scooters to be driven through appropriate signage. As long as that doesn’t happen, it remains forbidden. Last year, Rinteln’s police station said that e-scooters were generally tolerated in the pedestrian zone and that this was a “grey area”. In the meantime, however, according to press spokeswoman for the Göttingen Police Department, Nina Thieme, it is clearly said: “There is no gray area.”
Overall, riding an e-scooter should be as equal to cycling as possible by April 2026 – at least according to the wishes of the Federal Ministry of Transport. That would mean that wherever cyclists are allowed to ride, scooter drivers would automatically be allowed to do so as well.
NW/LZ
