E-scooters have become part of the street scene in every European metropolis. Mostly as shared rental scooters, they complement traditional transportation. In everyday life, however, scooters always have problems, including reckless behavior contrary to traffic regulations, unregulated parking, and sometimes severe accidents with pedestrians.
However, some Italian seaside resorts are declaring war on e-scooters this summer. They want to protect tourists, as accidents with electric scooters have recently become more frequent. Until August 31, Grottammare, a seaside resort on the Adriatic Sea, will not allow e-scooters in the center of town between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Failure to comply will result in a fine of up to 500 euros. Recently, citizens complained about young people riding e-scooters at high speeds in the middle of pedestrians. As a result, it has been decided to prohibit using these e-scooters, which are often modified to run up to 90 kilometers per hour. Unfortunately, a child was recently injured in an accident in Grottammare, further emphasizing the need for this decision.
E-scooters: Students are educated on the respectful use
In the city center of Favignana, an island near Sicily, bicycles and electric scooters are prohibited until November 12, after the tourist season has ended. Meanwhile, the municipality of Marina di Pisa on the Tuscan coast has implemented a more extreme measure. Until October 1, all vehicles, including bicycles and e-scooters, are prohibited on the seafront. This area is exclusively reserved for tourists who wish to enjoy a leisurely walk along the promenade without vehicles.
Ancona City is addressing the issue of unregulated parking of electric scooters by setting up 450 stands for them. Meanwhile, Venice is prioritizing educating young people about using e-scooters responsibly. A high school in the city organized courses for 200 students. E-scooters are highly preferred in Venice, with 400 available for rent daily.
E-scooters have become a topic of concern at Lake Garda. A petition has been initiated in Riva del Garda to prohibit bicycles and e-scooters from crowded tourist areas in the city center. The primary objective is to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
E-scooters: stricter laws in several countries
In Italy, the days when you could ride your electric scooter freely on bike paths, and roads are ending. The holiday destination is about to make significant changes to its traffic laws. The government has decided that e-scooter riders will need a license plate in the future, as is the case in Germany. The vehicle must be registered, and a helmet is mandatory when riding. In addition, e-scooters will not be allowed to travel faster than 20 kilometers per hour. This implies that individuals who violate the rules can be held accountable more promptly.
Several European countries are tightening their regulations on the e-scooter sector. For instance, the Netherlands no longer permits e-scooters on public roads, restricting their use to private property. Meanwhile, in France, helmets and insurance are compulsory for e-scooter riders.