They are. Hire scheme escooter operators can already moderate speed levels. For example, most riders start out in beginner mode at a reduced speed. 

There are also variations in terms of location and time of day. In Paris, escooters are capped at 10kmph (6mph) close to tourist areas, while London’s current escooter trial caps their speed at 19.3kmph (12.5mph).

The London trial also features ‘no-go zones’ where escooters come to a complete stop, and Slow Speed Zones where electric scooters automatically decelerate to a walking speed of 12.8kmph (8mph). 

Ebike speed limits vary in the US and Europe depending on the classification of the type of bike – check out this guide for more info. It’s worth noting that while not advisable, it’s also possible to remove an ebike’s speed limiter.

So, why is it not a thing in all cars?!

It’s coming. In 2019, the EU passed legislation requiring all new vehicles to have an Intelligent Speed Assistance limiter. This is despite resistance from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

From July 2022, ISAs became mandatory in Europe on all new-model cars, vans, trucks, and buses. From July 2024 onwards, OEMs must equip every new vehicle sold in the EU with an ISA system. 

This includes incorporating an event data recorder that logs driving data. The data could determine if a driver was manually overriding the speed limiter in the case of an accident. 

There are no legal moves to make ISA compulsory in US vehicles. However, many automakers have introduced them as part of their broader ADAS offerings.  

Already installed In trucks, speed limiters in gas-powered truck engines to help reduce carbon emissions. And, as driving fast burns more fuel, a speed limiter can help lower fuel costs. 

Active ISAs could potentially also help mitigate the impact of vehicle ramming in built-up urban areas, such as city centers and during parades and markets.  

But there’s a downside.

Unfortunately, the EU’s speed limiters are not all that limiting

The EU regulators have opted for passive speed limiters. These alert the driver audibly or visually to the speed limit and when they have exceeded it. They do not automatically slow down the car and the driver can manually override the system.  

The European Transport Safety Council has repeatedly pointed out that drivers find an audible warning irritating with a tendency to switch off the speed limiter. It asserts that “haptic feedback”, which uses increased force feedback on the accelerator control or engine reduction, are the only effective speed limiters.

Further, according to HERE Technologies, ISA systems that only use onboard cameras to capture speed limits from signs may not be able to meet the ISA regulation test criteria. Signs can be visually obscured, and many speed limits are not explicitly signposted.

So while ISAs are not mainstream in the US, the City of New York’s trial does more to reduce speed than the EU’s passive efforts. Even escooters are subject to more limitations with their active speed limiters than cars in Europe! And that leaves me feeling damn uneasy.