From March 2027, a maximum of three providers with 2,300 vehicles will be permitted
Darmstadt plans to reorganize the provision of e-scooters, rental bikes, and other forms of micromobility in public spaces. The city council passed a corresponding resolution on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. In the future, a maximum of three providers with a total of no more than 2,300 vehicles will be granted permits. This measure is a response, among other things, to numerous complaints about e-scooters being parked improperly or obstructively.
The new regulations are scheduled to come into effect on March 1, 2027. The city of Darmstadt, a center of science, is being supported by HEAG mobilo in selecting providers and developing the requirements.
Fewer providers and clear rules for parking
With this reorganization, the city aims to better regulate the use of e-scooters and rental bikes. The focus is on road safety and preventing conflicts between different road users.
In particular, improperly parked e-scooters repeatedly cause problems when they block sidewalks or obstruct cycling traffic.
Mobility officer Paul Georg Wandrey therefore sees a need for action.
“This reorganization is also my response to the countless complaints I receive about e-scooters being parked incorrectly or in a disruptive manner. We are therefore limiting the number of providers and vehicles and creating clear rules for parking,” explains Wandrey.
The head of the mobility department makes it clear: "Pedestrian and cycle paths must remain clear."
In the future, binding requirements for parking areas and no-parking zones will be established. The city aims to ensure that vehicles are used and parked in an orderly manner in public spaces.
A maximum of 2,300 vehicles from three providers
Following the decision of the city council, a maximum of three companies will in future receive a special permit for their services.
The total number of permitted vehicles will be limited to a maximum of 2,300. This limit includes e-scooters, rental bicycles, and other forms of micromobility.
The number of vehicles allocated to each supplier and vehicle type has not yet been determined. The distribution will be finalized during the upcoming selection process.
With this limit, the city aims to control the number of vehicles in public spaces while simultaneously continuing to offer an attractive range of mobility options.
HEAG mobilo helps with provider selection
The city collaborates with HEAG mobilo in the preparation and execution of the selection procedures.
The Darmstadt transport company is expected to contribute its experience as a mobility service provider and support the administration in developing the requirements for future services.
However, the decision as to which companies will receive a special use permit remains with the city of Darmstadt, a center of science and research.
“The sovereign decisions, in particular regarding special use permits and necessary contracts, will continue to be made by the science city of Darmstadt,” Wandrey emphasizes.
Johannes Gregor, Managing Director of HEAG mobilo, also welcomes the cooperation.
“E-scooters and rental bikes can be a useful addition to the range of services if they are reliably available and integrate well into public spaces,” explains Gregor.
The goal is to provide a diverse and well-connected range of mobility options for the people of Darmstadt.
Supplement to bus and train services
Despite the planned restrictions, the city intends to maintain its micromobility offerings.
E-scooters and rental bikes are expected to play a particularly important role on the so-called first and last mile. This refers, for example, to the journey from home to the nearest bus stop or from the bus stop to the workplace.
The city believes that such services can meaningfully complement public transport, provided they are reliably available and do not obstruct other road users.
The reorganization is therefore intended not only to limit the number of vehicles, but also to improve their integration into the existing mobility services.
Transitional arrangement possible until August 2027
The new regulation of micromobility services is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027, in accordance with the amended legal situation.
Should the selection processes not be completed by this time, existing offers may continue temporarily, provided there are no specific reasons to the contrary.
The city may impose additional requirements during this transition period.
The transition phase is scheduled to end no later than August 31, 2027.
Which providers will be represented in Darmstadt in the future and how the approved vehicles will be distributed between e-scooters, rental bikes and other services will only be decided after the selection process has been completed.
The most important information
Resolution: Reorganization of micromobility services in Darmstadt
Decision date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Affected services: E-scooters, rental bicycles and other forms of micromobility
Maximum number of providers: Three companies
Maximum number of vehicles: 2,300 vehicles in total.
New regulations: Requirements for parking areas, no-parking zones and safe operation
Planned start date: March 1, 2027
Transitional arrangement: Existing offers can continue temporarily under certain conditions.
End of the transition period: No later than August 31, 2027
Selection of providers: Science City Darmstadt
Support: HEAG mobilo
Goal: Increased road safety, unobstructed pedestrian and cycle paths, and better integration of public transport
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
