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Reuters
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Finland bans e-scooters for children, requires licences for rental companies
HELSINKI, June 17 (Reuters) - Finland introduced a ban on the use of electric scooters by children under the age of 15 on Tuesday, and scooter rental companies will now require municipal licences to continue offering their services. The legislation on so-called micromobility approved by parliament last month is part of a broader ramping up of regulations on e-scooters in Europe, where their use has expanded rapidly in recent years. Italy, for example, has mandated that e-scooter riders wear helmets and possess insurance, while authorities in Paris and Madrid have banned e-scooter rental services. "This is a situation that has got completely out of hand, and now it just needs to be brought under control," Lulu Ranne, Finland's transport and communications minister, told Reuters. "I hope that in this way we can enjoy scootering safely and according to the rules, and at the same time save lives," she added. Finnish authorities estimate that around 1,600 people are seriously injured annually in accidents involving e-scooters. There have been at least six deadly incidents in the past five years, they say, and some 600 children sustained injuries that required hospital care during the same period. The new legislation also makes e-scooter users subject to the same blood alcohol limits applied to automobile drivers, bans their use while under the influence of drugs, and sets a maximum speed limit of 25 kph (15.5 mph), Finnish transport and communications agency Traficom said. E-scooter rental companies operating in Finland include U.S.-based Neutron Holding's Lime, Sweden's Voi Technology, Norwegian firm Ryde Technology and Germany's Tier Mobility. It was not immediately clear how the licencing requirement would affect their operations in Finland. Companies can face fines if they do not respect the new age limit, the ministry said, and liability for knowingly allowing underage driving can also fall upon parents.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Finland bans e-scooters for children, requires licences for rental companies
HELSINKI - Finland introduced a ban on the use of electric scooters by children under the age of 15 on Tuesday, and scooter rental companies will now require municipal licences to continue offering their services. The legislation on so-called micromobility approved by parliament last month is part of a broader ramping up of regulations on e-scooters in Europe, where their use has expanded rapidly in recent years. Italy, for example, has mandated that e-scooter riders wear helmets and possess insurance, while authorities in Paris and Madrid have banned e-scooter rental services. "This is a situation that has got completely out of hand, and now it just needs to be brought under control," Lulu Ranne, Finland's transport and communications minister, told Reuters. "I hope that in this way we can enjoy scootering safely and according to the rules, and at the same time save lives," she added. Finnish authorities estimate that around 1,600 people are seriously injured annually in accidents involving e-scooters. There have been at least six deadly incidents in the past five years, they say, and some 600 children sustained injuries that required hospital care during the same period. The new legislation also makes e-scooter users subject to the same blood alcohol limits applied to automobile drivers, bans their use while under the influence of drugs, and sets a maximum speed limit of 25 kph (15.5 mph), Finnish transport and communications agency Traficom said. E-scooter rental companies operating in Finland include U.S.-based Neutron Holding's Lime, Sweden's Voi Technology, Norwegian firm Ryde Technology and Germany's Tier Mobility. It was not immediately clear how the licencing requirement would affect their operations in Finland. Companies can face fines if they do not respect the new age limit, the ministry said, and liability for knowingly allowing underage driving can also fall upon parents. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Finland, Estonia issue alert over Gulf of Finland GPS disruptions
HELSINKI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) announced on Friday that Finland and Estonia have issued a navigational warning for vessels in the Gulf of Finland due to a significant increase in disruptions to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). According to a Traficom press release, GNSS interference has risen markedly in the first half of this year, posing serious challenges to maritime navigation and safety. These disruptions hinder vessels from accurately determining their positions, heightening the risk of navigational errors and potential maritime accidents with severe environmental implications. "Disruptions have already led to several near-miss incidents in the Gulf of Finland. To avoid more serious consequences, it is vital that vessels are prepared to operate under such conditions," said Sanna Sonninen, Traficom's maritime director. The GNSS interference is also affecting the Automatic Identification System (AIS), a key tool for tracking and identifying vessels. Reports of AIS spoofing -- the transmission of false navigational data -- have become more frequent, further compounding safety concerns. In response, authorities in Finland and Estonia have jointly issued a navigational warning covering both countries' territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. Vessels transiting the Gulf will receive automated updates on GNSS disruptions through the Electronic Navigational Chart system. Amid the escalating frequency of such disruptions, maritime authorities stressed the importance of heightened situational awareness. "Issuing timely warnings about maritime hazards is a core part of our mandate," Sonninen added. Finland and Estonia also plan to report the GNSS interference to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which will share the information with its 176 member states, Traficom said.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Finland Ends Seizure of Shadow Fleet Ship Held for Cable Damage
(Bloomberg) -- Finland has ended the seizure of a shadow fleet tanker that pulled up four underwater data cables and a power link on Dec. 25 as investigations proceed. Cuts to Section 8 Housing Assistance Loom Amid HUD Uncertainty The Trump Administration Takes Aim at Transportation Research Remembering the Landscape Architect Who Embraced the City Shelters Await Billions in Federal Money for Homelessness Providers NYC Office Buildings See Resurgence as Investors Pile Into Bonds The Eagle S will be escorted by the Border Guard from Finnish territorial waters, the police said in an emailed statement on Sunday. Eight crew members are still suspected of offenses, and three of them are prevented from leaving the country, the police said. Instances of cable breakages in the Baltic Sea have become more frequent over the past several months. Policymakers have pointed to sabotage, a mistake or incompetence as possible causes of the damage wrought by the tanker's anchor, which was retrieved from the seabed as part of a probe into aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference of communications. The tanker, sailing under the Cook Islands flag, will be able to depart carrying its cargo of unleaded petrol and diesel, the police said, adding that it aims to conclude its criminal probe by the end of April. With thousands of vessels passing through it every day, the Baltic Sea is one of the world's busiest shipping routes. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — and with it, international energy sanctions against the Kremlin — Western nations expressed concerns that the so-called shadow fleet shipping Russian oil from Baltic ports could cause security breaches and environmental risks due to the age of the vessels and insufficient insurance. Deficiencies found in a Port State Control inspection in January have been rectified, and Finland's transport authority Traficom is allowing the ship to set off, the police said. On Sunday, the power transmission system operators of Finland and Estonia, Fingrid Oyj and Elering AS, dropped their demand that the vessel remain detained, saying the cost of detaining and maintaining the ship likely exceeded its value. Instead, they plan to seek compensation, the companies said in a separate statement. --With assistance from Julia Janicki. Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? Trump's SALT Tax Promise Hinges on an Obscure Loophole Walmart Wants to Be Something for Everyone in a Divided America Warner Bros. Movie Heads Are Burning Cash, and Their Boss Is Losing Patience OXO Fought Back Against the Black Spatula Panic. People Defected Anyway ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
