E-scooter parking space in Punavuori, Helsinki, in spring 2023. City of Helsinki
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Helsinki is reaching out to residents for their input on the parking reforms related to shared e-scooters implemented in summer 2023. The feedback will be integral to the city’s future planning and policies on e-scooter usage and parking.
In 2023, Helsinki observed a substantial decline in e-scooter numbers compared to the previous year.
As part of the reforms, the city introduced designated parking areas for shared e-scooters. These areas, situated in Helsinki’s city center and the southern parts of the inner city, were specifically marked for e-scooter parking.
The initiative led to the establishment of 250 parking spots at various locations, including squares, markets, and kerbsides. Notably, 130 of these were converted from car parking spaces. The delineated parking zone stretches from the southern edge of Hesperia Esplanade and Pitkäsilta Bridge to Lauttasaari Bridge in the west. Following the success of the pilot, the city aims to continue with the restricted parking zones in 2024.
Significant data emerged from this parking reform:
- Daily e-scooter count in the central Helsinki restricted area reduced to approximately 3,600 from a staggering 9,000 in the preceding year.
- Across Helsinki, the total number of e-scooters decreased from 18,000 in 2022 to an average of 12,000 in 2023.
- Parking Control began charging fees for relocating improperly parked e-scooters, with hundreds relocated during the spring and summer. The fee for local relocation stands at 55 euros, while transferring to a storage facility costs 60 euros.
A summer observation study by the City revealed that 94% of e-scooters were appropriately parked within designated areas or nearby. This not only streamlined scooter parking but also led to a decline in parking-related mishaps.
The City now wants to hear from you. Whether you’re an e-scooter enthusiast or a city resident concerned about their impact, your feedback is crucial. Opinions on the effectiveness of the parking reforms, suggestions for potential new parking locations, and the broader impact of e-scooters in the city are all sought after.
To share your views, complete the survey available at the provided link, which takes just 5–10 minutes. Feedback is accepted until 6 November 2023.
Survey link.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
