Slaps are being promoted on the issue of the control of personal mobility devices, since while there seems to be a trend towards a legal ban on the use of scooters by people under the age of 17, electric bicycles, some of which are motorcycles under coverage, are left out of the law.
"If we leave electric bicycles behind, they will make fun of us," said MP Mrs. Fotini Tsiridou, who submitted a relevant proposal for a law on scooters, but considered that given the opportunity it would be beneficial to regulate the issue of electric bicycles, which, as she noted, more or less, have the same use. If we only regulate the use of scooters it is like telling them (those interested) buy electric bikes, he said. She indicated that what is actually happening is the trade of such devices with teenagers as customers.
He also pointed out that some electric bicycles, with the speeds they develop, are more like motorcycles than bicycles.
The issue was discussed before the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and as it appears from what was said and from relevant information, merchants sell scooters to teenagers of all ages and when there is a "capricious" person, who asks the age, in some cases the dad intervenes and the issue is regulated but if a relevant proposal for a Law by the MP Mrs. Fotini Tsiridou is passed, Some may have a problem disposing of these devices.
Provided, of course, that the use of scooters over 17 years old will not only be approved, but at the same time measures will be taken to implement the legislation. Today the use of scooters is allowed from the age of 14 but everything shows that we are leading to an increase in the age limit.
It is noted that a proposal by the MP of the Ecologists, Mr. Stavros Papadouris, to set the age at 16 years, which favours the Department of Road Transport (based on the experience of other countries) does not seem to be proceeding.
Ms. Tsiridou insisted that the use of scooters from the age of 17 and over is also consistent with the right to issue a student driving license.
In the explanatory memorandum, which accompanies Ms. Tsiridou's proposal for a law, it is stated that "its purpose is to amend the Law on the Regulation of the Movement of Bicycles and Other Personal Mobility Devices, so that the use of a Personal Mobility Device is allowed only to persons aged 17 years and over, instead of 14 years, and the transport of a person by the user of such a device is allowed, if the person in question is over seventeen (17) years of age, instead of fourteen years of age". That is, in addition to the fact that the driver/user must be over 17 years old, the same will apply to the person who may be transported by the scooter user.
Ms. Tsiridou, citing the discussion that has already taken place and the experience of recent years (from the use of such devices), combined with contact with teenagers in recent months, but also the accidents recorded, said that it is necessary to set limits on the use of electric scooters. Imposing an age limit on their use is the least we can do, he said, indicating that 17 years seems to be the appropriate limit. This is because, due to the right of 17-year-olds to issue a student driving license, they also become aware of the traffic code, which is linked to their protection when using the road network.
A representative of the Ministry of Transport stated that two law proposals have been submitted, one of which sets a time limit of 16 years and the other 17 years. We had 16 years in mind because the European Transport Council also prefers 16 years, but if the Parliament considers that the limit should be set at 17, we do not object, he said. He also mentioned that in some countries the use ranges between 12-16 years. It is a matter of national legislation, so there is no question of EU policy, he said.
Commenting on the issue of the use of electric bicycles, he noted that in some cases we are not actually talking about electric bicycles in the sense that they develop 50-60 kilometers. Those moving at speeds above 25 kilometers are completely illegal, he said, adding: "They are anything other than electric bicycles, and they had to be withheld and withdrawn from the market."
As he explained, a relevant bill is being prepared which will regulate the pending issues identified in the use of such devices.
