At a time when minors are threshing with electric scooters on the main arteries of Nicosia, turning them into improvised tracks and recording their "achievements" on video, the Police are waiting for the activation of the decree for the retention of the devices. Until its activation, as reported to "F" by the Headquarters Traffic Police, the offenders are reported and the scooters remain in their possession.
Videos on social media clearly record the extent of the problem. Successive wheelies, minors moving by the dozens on main roads and others driving without the necessary insignia at night.
The first video, spotted by "F", begins with the foreground, 17 scooters parked on the Aglantzia bridge, near the University of Cyprus. An excerpt from journalist Katerina Agapitou has been deliberately added to the sound background, commenting on the uncontrollable wheelies of young people on motorcycles on the streets.
A shot follows, with someone ostentatiously stepping on the scooter's throttle, causing spinning and smoke around the wheel. In the next frame, on Aglantzias Avenue, a group of young people moves in both lanes. Many lift the front wheels of scooters and continue on one wheel. They move in parallel, ignoring the fact that they are in the middle of the road.
The demonstrations continue in a night plan. The young driver does not wear any insignia nor does he have a light on his device. His figure is difficult to distinguish in the dark.
Next image from Makarios Avenue. Rider holds the front of the scooter in the air and continues its course on the rear wheel. It moves between vehicles and motorcyclists, continuing its course in the bus lane.
In another video, a large group of young people is again recorded crossing the narrow streets of old Nicosia. Even if there are vehicles that want to pass, young people move by the dozens in the middle of the road.
Termination and continued use
The response of the Traffic Police on the possibilities of immediate intervention highlights the seriousness of the fact that the measure of detention of such devices is still pending. As he explains, the Police can stop users and make the corresponding out-of-court or other complaints, but they cannot yet proceed with the seizure of the devices. As the lieutenant of the Traffic Department of the Headquarters, Tasos Asiikkis, characteristically told us: "The offender is reported and then left to continue using the Personal Mobility Devices"
According to Mr. Asiikkis, the Police are waiting for the issuance of the detention order, after it has been legally checked and approved by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works. When it is published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, the Police will study it and activate its provisions.
The cases of retention cited by Mr. Asiikkis include "the use by children under the age of 17, the movement in unauthorized places and the use of devices that can develop or develop a speed of more than 25 kilometers per hour. It also includes the retention in case of exceeding 10 kilometers per hour in squares or sidewalks that have been designated as permitted areas."
According to the traffic police, the conditions for the return of the devices after their retention will be determined in the decree and will be notified after its publication.
Where Driving Is Allowed
According to the Traffic Police, their permitted driving areas are roads with a posted speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour, bicycle lanes, bicycle lanes and appropriately marked common areas that are an extension of a bicycle path.
On roads with a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour or more, their movement is prohibited.
For use in squares and pedestrian streets, a relevant decision of the municipality or community is required, published in the Official Gazette, with a maximum speed of 10 kilometers per hour. The Traffic Police notes that, until the answers were sent to "F", (16/10) no such decision had been published.
The numbers speak for themselves
The data cited by the lieutenant of the Traffic Department of the Headquarters, Tasos Asiikkis, are indicative of the problem: "Of the 7,635 out-of-court complaints, 2,423 concern use in an unauthorized area, 1,951 the non-use of a suitable protective helmet and 1,419 the absence of appropriate fluorescent insignia."
Among the numbers are recorded two fatalities with users aged 24 and 26. For serious injuries, the available data cover the period from January 2026 to August of the same year, recording five serious incidents of injuries, two of which involved people under the age of 18.
Parental responsibility and penalties
But what is the responsibility when we are dealing with violations by minors? According to the Traffic Police: "Parents, persons exercising parental responsibility and owners of devices, must take the necessary measures to prevent the use of scooters by children under 17 years of age. This omission is an offence, with a prescribed penalty, in case of conviction, up to €1,000 or three months in prison or both."
For behaviors that constitute negligent, reckless or dangerous driving, such as "wheelies" as well as specific lane use violations, scooter users, according to Lieutenant Tasos Asiikkis, are subject to the same penalties as drivers of motor vehicles.
The Traffic Police clarifies, however, that the group route of scooter drivers is not in itself the target of a complaint. However, although there is no specific ban on the parallel movement of scooter users, offenses such as slowness or obstruction of traffic can occur.
