Parliament has passed four bills tightening the rules on e-scooters and other personal mobility devices, raising the minimum age for both riders and passengers, increasing the speed threshold for out-of-court fines and introducing mandatory technical standards. Two bills seeking a full ban on the devices in public spaces were rejected.
Age limits
The minimum age for riding a personal mobility device rises from 14 to 17 under legislation proposed by MPs Foteini Tsieridou and Demetris Demetriou. The minimum age for passengers also rises, from 12 to 17. Owners or legally responsible persons who fail to take all necessary measures to prevent under-17s from using such devices will face out-of-court fines, as will anyone who carries a passenger under the age of 17.
Speed and technical standards
A separate bill proposed by Stavros Papadouris of the Greens-Citizens Cooperation Movement raises the speed threshold for out-of-court fines from 20km/h to 25km/h.
A second bill in the same package introduces mandatory technical specifications: devices must carry a CE marking declaration of conformity and comply with European standard CYS EN 17128:2020.
Police, authorised municipal traffic wardens and other authorised persons will be able to impound devices in specific cases.
Rejected bills
Two bills proposed by Alekos Tryfonides on behalf of DEPA were rejected by majority vote. The first sought to ban the use of personal mobility devices in public spaces and prohibit the licensing and operation of rental and circulation businesses for such devices in public spaces. The second sought to remove existing out-of-court fine provisions relating to personal mobility devices.