In anticipation of the decree that will allow the authorities to detain electric scooters or otherwise personal mobility devices, the new changes to the legislation brought by the Parliament on April 16 were implemented.
The problems and gaps from the first five years of use of these devices have not been resolved, since the devices are increasing on the streets, while most move in places where their use is not allowed. Also a problem is the fact that they do not have identification markings, so that if someone breaks the law or is involved in a traffic accident (hits a pedestrian) they cannot be detected.
The most important legislative change that occurred concerns the age of persons who are now entitled to ride or ride a scooter. Under the new regulations, scooters can now be driven by people aged 17 and over rather than 14 years old as was previously the case. At the same time, they will also be able to carry a passenger aged 17 and over and not 12 as was the case. Essentially, 14-year-olds can no longer ride on electric scooters, nor can they transport 12-year-olds as was the case until recently.
Another important change concerns the retention of such devices when significant illegality is observed on the roads. Until today, the law did not allow such a thing, with the result that when an illegality was found, the offender was reported, took his extrajudicial document and left. Now both members of the Traffic Police and the traffic wardens of the municipalities will be allowed to detain the scooters if they find a serious illegality. As such, excessive speed and traffic in places that are not allowed, such as two-way roads, etc. In order for the control and retention of an e-scooter to begin, the Minister of Transport must first issue a decree providing for this. Information from "F" states that the decree will be issued soon to allow the authorities to proceed with the retention of e-scooters.
A third equally important change concerns the speed that these mobility devices can develop. Until recently, one could move up to 20 km in the areas where their movement was allowed. Now, with the passage last April of a law proposal, the limit has been increased and so one can move up to 25 km. From this limit onwards, an out-of-court fine will be issued to any driver who breaks the law.
Another amendment to the Regulation of the Movement of Bicycles and Other Personal Mobility Devices Law concerns the technical specifications of personal mobility devices – such as the obligation of the seller such as the device to carry a declaration of conformity with CE marking and to comply with the European standard CYS EN 17128:2020.
A regulation was also put in place regarding the responsibility of the owner of an electric scooter for its safe storage so that it does not allow its use by persons who are not entitled, as is the case with vehicles. In particular, an out-of-court fine is provided for the owner of a personal mobility device or a person legally responsible for the management or storage of a personal mobility device, when he has not taken all the necessary measures to prevent the use of a personal mobility device by persons under the age of 17, as well as if he or she carries a passenger under 17.
Two dead, 30 injured
Since 2021, when the first legislation allowing the use of e-scooters was passed, we have had a sad toll, with two dead and over 30 seriously injured. It is characteristic that according to data from the Traffic Police, from 2023-2025 30 seriously injured people using e-scooters up to 24 years old were recorded.
As it turned out, their use together with vehicles is extremely dangerous and places should be found so that they can move safely, otherwise we will mourn more dead.
