Erfurt protects hedgehogs: robotic lawnmowers have to stand still at night!

Erfurt protects hedgehogs: robotic lawnmowers have to stand still at night!

In a groundbreaking decision, the city of Erfurt decided on July 2, 2025, a night driving ban for robotic lawnmowers to protect the protected hedgehogs and other nocturnal animals. The measure, which was launched by the Erfurt Environment and Nature Conservation Office, stipulates that robotic lawnmowers should not be operated half an hour before sunset up to half an hour after sunrise. This is particularly important because hedgehogs in urban areas are increasingly looking for food and run the risk of being injured or killed by robots at night. According to thueringen24.de, the existence of these animals has been declining in Germany and you have been on the pre-warning list of the Red List.

The effects of the robotic lawnmowers on the wildlife are alarming: in Leipzig, for example, around 400 hedgehogs are injured by robotic lawnmowers every year, and about 10% of the animals affected do not survive the injuries. In view of these figures, conservationists basically demand a night driving ban for robotic lawnmowers in several German cities, including Cologne and Leipzig. The ZDF reports that similar regulations have already been introduced or planned in cities such as Göttingen, Mainz, Halle and Magdeburg.

regulations and follow

The general decree in Erfurt applies not only to private lawns, but also to commercial and public areas. Exceptions are possible, but must be requested from the lower nature conservation authority and can only be expected if it can be proven that no damage to the animals occurs. Violations of the ban can have drastic consequences, because fines of up to 50,000 euros threaten the unteachable. The city plans to carry out random checks and to track information on violations.

Cologne and Leipzig have similar regulations. The night driving ban also applies from half an hour before sunset up to half an hour after sunrise, with the same sensitive punishments in violations. In the neighborhood, awareness of the problem is growing, especially because many robots are active at night and thus represent an acute risk to the small, spiky city neighbors. According to [utopia.de] (https://utopia.de/news/nachtfahrbot-fuer-maehroboter-in-diesen-sta-ten-ist-es-bald-bald-bald-bald-bald, sensitization measures by environmental units that dream of a nationwide night driving ban for robotic lawnmowers have gained in importance. These require to do without the use of robots if possible and to take alternative care practices into account.

a step in the right direction

The introduction of the night driving ban in Erfurt is a significant step for protecting the hedgehog population. These small living things contribute significantly to natural pest control in gardens, and their decline would not only be a loss for biodiversity, but could also have a negative impact on garden maintenance. The city plans to take further measures to clarify and raise awareness of the population. An increasing number of cities introduces similar initiatives to protect the endangered animal species in urban habitats. It remains to be seen whether the trend towards night driving bans will prevail throughout Germany.

With a good hand for environmental protection, Erfurt shows that a lot can be moved locally. Who knows, maybe this step will be a model for many other municipalities to enable the hinges and other nocturnal animals a safe life.