Citizens support stronger new measures for electric scooters

Legal changes providing for stricter rules for electric scooter users have been welcomed positively by citizens. According to them, this means of transport poses a high risk and should, in fact, face even tougher restrictions.

“These changes and decisions are right because human life is priceless. It is noticeable that very young children ride very fast and most often there are two or three on one scooter. And unfortunately, parents do this too, carrying children on scooters, which is not safe… I believe everyone should respect them.”

Another citizen said the risk is high and that maximum caution is required while riding. “It is dangerous, truly dangerous, people must be very careful, the speed should be kept to a minimum, lower, and it should be driven very carefully… It would be good to impose a speed limit, and riders must be very cautious,” he said.

Another citizen said concern for safety should come first and that he welcomes the legal intervention. “It is worrying, health is more important… Yes, they are very dangerous, they can break your nose immediately. -So you welcome the legal changes- Of course, in Albania they have removed them,” he said.

There are also voices calling for a complete ban. “In my personal opinion, they should be completely banned. But if they are already being ridden, then not a 20-kilometre-per-hour limit as the lawmakers propose, because worldwide for vehicles, protective airbags are designed to withstand impacts of up to 5 kilometres per hour, and they are allowing 20, so it can injure you. The maximum should be 6-7 kilometres per hour,” said one citizen.

Under the new changes, the use of scooters by people under 18 is prohibited. The maximum speed is also limited to 20 kilometres per hour, and two people are not allowed to ride the same scooter at the same time.

The new rules stipulate that, in addition to a fine, temporary confiscation of the vehicle will also be applied for underage riders, for those who exceed the permitted speed, for cases when the rider is carrying another person, as well as when the scooter is operated under the influence of alcohol.

The new law requires scooters to travel in bicycle lanes. In cases where these lanes are absent, they must travel on the pavement, but not at a speed greater than 6 km/h, which in practice means the scooter should be pushed rather than ridden.

Scooter riders are required to dismount when crossing the road at a zebra crossing.

It is also forbidden to ride hands-free, travel on one wheel and hold on to another car. For these violations, fines are increased from 50 to 100 euros. Meanwhile, for riding under the influence of alcohol, the fine will be 275 euros and the vehicle will be confiscated. For parents of children under 18, a fine of 225 euros is предусмотрed, while the vehicle will be confiscated for 30 days.

According to statistics presented in Parliament, from 2024 until May 2026, 2,352 traffic accidents involving moped, electric scooter and motorcycle riders were recorded. Of these accidents, 46 people lost their lives, while 585 others sustained serious bodily injuries. More than 70 per cent of those injured were minors. /Alsat.mk