Short sad story: a Swiss police officer (no, his name is not Huber) opens a briefcase; inside is what appears to be a miniature treadmill. He signals a boy on a scooter to come closer. The front wheel is on the roller, the accelerator is pressed. The display lights up: 112 km/h. The legal limit in Switzerland for these vehicles is 20 km/h. The scooter is confiscated, and the driver is reported.
It happens in Zurich, where the cantonal police showed in a video His new tool for sniffing out rigged scooters: a portable dynamometer made by Swiss company Wenger. Small enough to fit in a briefcase, yet fast enough to perform a complete test in well under a minute. There is no longer any need to take the vehicle to the workshop or laboratory: the test bench can be brought directly on site.
Swiss police: How the flash test works
The officers place the scooter on the platform with the front wheel resting on the roller. They turn on the engine and push the accelerator to full throttle. The roller spins under load, simulating road resistance. The system records the peak speed reached and displays it on a digital display.
According to Swiss regulationsElectric scooters cannot exceed 20 km/h. Anyone caught using a modified vehicle risks heavy penalties: fines of up to €400 and immediate seizure of the vehicle.
In the video released by the Swiss police, the test lasts just a few seconds. The simplicity of the device is its strength: no special technical skills are required, and there are no complicated procedures. One officer, one briefcase, thirty seconds. The result: certified maximum speed, irrefutable evidence.
The problem of modified scooters
Modified scooters have become a growing problem across Europe. Many users install software or hardware to bypass manufacturer-imposed speed limits. Some modify the controller directly, others download apps that bypass restrictions via Bluetooth. The result is always the same: vehicles designed to travel at 20 km/h reach speeds similar to those of a moped or motorcycle, without any of the protections required for those vehicles.
In Switzerland, between April and May 2025, the cantonal police stopped two sensational casesA scooter capable of 113 km/h in Martigny and one capable of 126 km/h in Zermatt. Both drivers were reported and the vehicles seized.
Such speeds on an electric scooter without a helmet, without protection, without a license plate or insurance represent a mortal danger for the driver and other road users. They could have been offended, if you give me another "cultural" reference. Then I'll get serious, because there's nothing to laugh about.
Accident data
Accidents involving electric scooters are constantly increasing. According to ACI-ISTAT data, in Italy in 2023 there were 3.365 accidents involving electric scooters, with an increase of 14,9% compared to the previous year. The number of injured rose to 3.195, while the number of fatalities increased from 16 in 2022 to 21 in 2023.
An Italian study on safety A study conducted at several urban intersections has highlighted that e-scooter riders are exposed to a significantly higher risk of collision than cyclists at intersections. More than 80% of the scooters observed “interacted” with cars, compared to 70% of bicycles. Speed, even when within the legal limit, remains a critical factor: just a few extra km/h can drastically increase the likelihood of serious injuries.
An example of "easy" technology at the service of controls from the Swiss police
The Wenger device is part of a broader trend: the use of technology to improve road checksFrom AI-powered cameras that detect phone use while driving, to systems that identify drunk drivers by analyzing their faces, to sensors that monitor speed limit compliance, road safety increasingly relies on tools capable of rapid and precise intervention.
The portable dynamometer has one specific advantage: it eliminates all doubt. A scooter may seem legal at first glance, but the test immediately reveals the truth. There's no room for interpretation, no need for complex expert assessments. The wheel spins, the display shows a number. If that number exceeds 20 km/h, the vehicle is illegal. Period.
The widespread availability of similar tools could be an effective deterrent. Knowing that police can verify in seconds whether a scooter has been modified makes the risk less worthwhile.
It's not just about fines: those who drive a modified vehicle also lose their insurance coverage in the event of an accident. This adds to the financial and legal damage and the risk to their safety.
The Swiss police's suitcase isn't magic. It's precision, speed, and effectiveness. A way to enforce rules designed to protect everyone: those riding the scooter and those around them. Because light mobility is a resource, but only if it stays within safe limits.
