Filenews 21 September 2021 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
They have been debating since 2017 to introduce legislation on electric scooters. We have reached the end of 2021, cities are filled, they are moving unchecked, but still the bill goes to the House.
With the start of the new student year, many students are moving with this means, something that poses risks for themselves as for other drivers, since there is no legal framework governing the issue. We are already mourning a victim of a scooter and minor injuries were recorded. The streets of the cities were filled with scooters, mainly around the universities but also in the coastal areas, where they are mainly rented by students for their movements from their home to the university. Tourists also use scooters since abroad the easiest way to see a city is this. The Police Traffic Police raised the issue of scooters and their control since 2017 when, suddenly, mainly in Limassol but also in Larnaca, the coastal roads were filled with scooters of various types that were moving uncontrollably.
The then Minister of Communications, Vassiliki Anastasiadou, convened an emergency meeting where the issue was discussed, the views of all involved were entered and it was decided to regulate the matter by legislation. The problem of uncontrolled scooters was also discussed in parliament, where it was considered appropriate to control their introduction in addition to their circulation. At the moment the bill prepared by the Ministry of Transport (through the Department of Public Works) is in the Legal Service for legislative technical control and will soon be sent to Parliament, if approved by the Council of Ministers.
As the assistant director of the Traffic Department at the Police Headquarters, Harris Evripidou, told "F", the Police have long given their positions on the matter, in order to control the use of scooters, just as with bicycles. Electric scooters will not be considered motor vehicles and are not allowed to run on roads. Mr. Evripidou made it clear that today the use of scooters on the roads is prohibited and is allowed only on bike lanes, in areas indicated by municipalities and communities.
The Police suggested that:
>> Their use is allowed for people from 16 years of age and older.
>> The maximum speed limit should reach up to 25 kilometres.
>> During the evening hours, the drivers of the scooters use lights, as is the case with bicycles, to be seen by other road users.
>> Electric scooters do not need to be secured, as do bicycles.
>> To move on bike lanes or wherever else the bikes are moving.
>> Have a device that emits sound.
According to the bill, electric scooters will only be allowed in: Bicycle infrastructure (bike lanes) and with special permission from the Municipal Authorities in pedestrian streets and squares. Those who can drive scooters will do so at a maximum speed of 15 kilometres per hour. In the evening drivers should use high-beam headlights (as with bicycles).
A special permit will be issued to the tenants of electric scooters. Owners will not be obliged to insure their scooters. Those who rent the electric scooters will be forced to insure them.
Fatal in Limassol
In 2019, the first fatal accident with an electric scooter - PMV (Personal mobility vehicle) was recorded on Cypriot roads. On 30/08/2019 on Franklin Roosevelt Street in Limassol, Izabela Zofia Iwanska, 48 years old from Poland, a permanent resident of Cyprus, lost her life. The 48-year-old was riding a scooter when she was swept away by another driver while on the roadway.
Problem with their supervision
From the discussions that took place, an issue had arisen for the supervision of the areas in which the electric scooters would be traded. The issue was discussed with all involved and despite the fact that the positions of the directly affected municipalities of the tourist areas were conflicting, since neither the municipalities nor the Police accepted the supervision of any legislative regulation adopted, the ministry proceeded to the drafting of a bill for the regulation of the movement of scooters, which was put before the Legal Service in June 2018. Ultimately, the regulation that is being promoted is that, as the control of bicycles and other motor vehicles is done, it should also be done for scooters.
It is noted that the competent Department that prepared the bill, had examined the legislations of other European countries such as Germany and France, since it is a new "vehicle" that circulates on the roads.
According to estimates, the bill is expected to go to the House before the end of the year when its debate and passage is referred to 2022.
