ARCHIVED - Electric scooters to be banned from pavements in Spain

Traffic authorities introduce regulations for the use of personal mobility vehicles

Scooters, electric scooters and segways have become an increasingly common sight on the streets of cities throughout Spain in recent years and in response to growing concerns over the ways in which they are used the DGT traffic authorities have this week published a set of regulations and fines relating to these modes of transport.

Among the most important of the new rules is a ban on the use of scooters on pavements, a speed limit of 25 km/h, the requirement that the vehicles should be equipped with lights and a series of fines on a scale from 100 to 1,000 euros, the maximum relating to the use of scooters while under the influence of drugs. Other stipulations include one stating that only one person may be using a scooter at a time (no passengers are allowed) and another establishing that if the maximum speed of a scooter does not exceed 6 km7h it is to be considered a toy.

200-euro fines are set for using personal mobility vehicles on the pavement and for riding while using a mobile phone or earphones, and in places where the Town Hall has established that a helmet must be worn failure to do so will also result in a potential fine of 200 euros.

At the same time, it is confirmed that PMVs do not need to be registered and that users do not require a driver’s licence: any incorrect usage will not result in a points deduction. In addition, the DGT does not consider skateboards, competition boards and mobility devices for the disabled to by personal mobility vehicles.

Until now it has been up to individual Town Halls to establish fines for the “incorrect” use of scooters – in Murcia, for example, riders must be aged at least 15 – and even now the DGT rules are only temporary, plugging a gap in legislation until a new general law regarding all vehicles can be approved.

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Region of Murcia and the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/