Filenews 16 July 2022 - byMichalis Hadjivassilis
With two legislations passed the day before yesterday by the Parliament, the circulation of electric scooters is regulated, while the use of helmet is made mandatory for cyclists.
The use of a helmet for cyclists, which was passed after a proposal for a law by DIKO MP Chryssis Pantelidis, will apply in six months after the publication of the law, in order to give the public time to be informed and to procure a helmet.
As far as electric scooters are concerned, the regulations will apply immediately, except for those concerning the technical specifications, which will apply from March 1, 2023 to give the opportunity to those who have such devices for sale to meet all the technical specifications provided by the regulations. According to the law, scooters will move at a maximum speed of 20km, it will be mandatory to use a helmet, they can be used on the bike lanes and not on the roadway. Local authorities will also be entitled to issue permits for the use of scooters in squares or pedestrian streets at the boundaries of municipalities and communities, while a new provision that has been put in place recently will allow their circulation on roads where the maximum speed is 30 km, such as those recently built in Nicosia. With this provision it is estimated that many will leave the vehicle and take the electric scooters to enter the city centre.
According to the law that was passed, scooters will be able to be driven by people aged 14 and over and not 16 which was the recommendation of the ministry of transport. The driver must wear a helmet, it is forbidden to carry a second person unless the specifications are met, while the devices should carry: Brake system, white or yellow light lamp at the front and rear, bell and tires in good condition.
The law provides for an out-of-court fine of €85 to those who use scooters under the age of 14, who do not wear a helmet, or who violate traffic signs. There is also a fine of €50 when someone uses a scooter without lights, moves outside the bike lane, while an extrajudicial fine will be issued to drivers of €85 who do not take protective measures against scooter users.
