MPs are examining potential new regulations for electric scooters following mounting safety concerns and violations of traffic rules, the House Transport Committee heard on Thursday.
Committee chairman Marinos Mousiouttas warned he would propose banning e-scooters entirely if safety gaps in current legislation are not addressed within three months, citing incidents involving underage riders and pedestrian obstruction.
“Without proper signage and maximum supervision, we will mourn victims and then search for who bears responsibility,” Mousiouttas told the committee.
Police reported over 1,500 e-scooter violations in 2023, including more than 630 cases of riding in prohibited areas. Between 2021 and 2023, e-scooter users accounted for 0.9% of all traffic injuries, with one fatality recorded in 2022 before current legislation was enacted.
The Transport Ministry said traditional vehicle registration would be disproportionately costly and unfeasible for e-scooters. A Department of Public Works representative noted that no other country requires such registration, as e-scooters do not qualify as motor vehicles.
Green Party MP Stavros Papadouris, who raised the issue, suggested creating a special registry to enable insurance coverage. Insurance companies expressed willingness to provide coverage, contingent on proper infrastructure and registration systems.
Current legislation prohibits riders under 14 years old and restricts e-scooter use to roads with speed limits of 30 kilometres per hour, cycle lanes, or designated areas. Violations incur fines of 50 or 85 euros, with enforcement shared between local authorities and police.
The Union of Municipalities cited staffing shortages for enforcement, calling for a comprehensive review of legislation, specifications, and import regulations.
The committee has given relevant authorities and ministries a three-month deadline to return with specific proposals addressing safety issues and insurance coverage.
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