In order to bring order to the field of use of personal mobility devices (scooters), the Council of Ministers approved today the legislative package, with two bills and amendments to regulations, for the necessary legislation for these devices.
The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Giannis Karousos, stated after the meeting of the Minister, which met under the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, that in the field of personal mobility devices ”.
Mr. Karousos stated that "The personal mobility device shall be defined as a self-propelled structure with any form of energy which can carry a seated or standing person for driving the device having a steering wheel and at least one drive axle as well as at least two wheels as contact points on the road ”.
He added that "Anything that does not fall within the definition of the law on personal mobility devices will be prohibited from moving in a public place / street, such as hoverboards / skates."
The basic parameters and options in relation to the movement of personal mobility devices are recorded as follows:
The handling area: They will be able to move on bike paths, bike lanes or in an area that is an extension of a bike path such as a common area for cyclists and pedestrians. They will be able to move in a square or on a pedestrian street only after a decision of the relevant municipality or community.
According to the Minister of Transport, user age is defined as 16 years and over. Will be the use of a helmet is mandatory, there should be universal security against a third party. Also defined as Minimal device equipment to have brake system, front and rear lamps, bell, tires. Still defined as maximum device speed of 15 kilometers per hour.
Mr. Karousos said that the main bill includes:
- Market regulation, such as special obligations of importers, manufacturers, sellers in relation to the minimum equipment and the maximum speed,
- Licensing of device rental companies by a municipality or community through a specific framework and obligations,
- Traffic rules for personal mobility devices
- Traffic rules for other means of transport, including pedestrians versus personal mobility devices
- Offenses and penalties.
The Minister of Transport pointed out that “scooters are being developed worldwide initially as a means of recreation while gradually and on a case by case basis they are transformed as a means of transportation in the category of micro-mobility ”.
He added that developments have overtaken the international community with the result that there is no common European or international response. As a result, countries are rushing individually to regulate the movement of scooters, putting on the scales road safety, mobility and data on the territory of each country, he mentioned.
Note that "The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, putting road safety at the forefront of this effort, has prepared three pieces of legislation as follows:
- Bill on the regulation of the movement of bicycles and other personal mobility devices amending the law on the movement of bicycles,
- Motor vehicle and traffic regulations dealing with procedural matters relating to helmet specifications and
- Bill of the law on out-of-court settlement of offenses for out-of-court settlement of the offenses of the main law ”.
He said that the legislation has been publicly consulted in September 2020 and extensively consulted with stakeholders such as the local government and many others.