ROME – Squeeze coming for electric scooters. In recent days, the discussion of a bill entitled “Provisions on the circulation of mainly electric powered scooters”, which aims to eliminate many critical issues arising from the overlapping of different regulations, began in the Chamber’s Transport Commission. .
Among the main innovations provided for in the bill are: the prohibition of driving for those who are not of age, that of exceeding 20 km / h and of driving after sunset and the obligation to wear a helmet and reflective jacket. The bill comes almost two years after the decree law of June 2019 which started the experimentation in Italian cities of the so-called electric micromobility (hoverboards, segways, electric scooters and monowheel), preparatory to the adoption of organic regulatory initiatives to be placed at the within the highway code.
In the meantime, however, to clarify the rules that regulate their circulation and to tighten some unruly and dangerous behavior of users, some parliamentarians have decided to present a draft law that provides for autonomous legislation for electric scooters. Here are the main changes with respect to the regulations in force in the text:
Driving is prohibited for minors and compulsory helmet
The bill provides that electric scooters can only be driven by adults and establishes the obligation to use a helmet and reflective jacket. A ban on driving after sunset and during the whole period of darkness is also introduced.
Maximum speed on the road
As foreseen by the ongoing experimentation, electric scooters, as well as on cycle paths, will also be able to circulate on urban roads with a speed limit of 30 km, therefore with a reduced vehicular traffic, at a maximum speed of 20 km / h. Within 6 km / h they will also be able to circulate in pedestrian areas.
No parking on pavements
The Bill clearly and explicitly specifies the prohibition of parking on the sidewalks of electric scooters, establishing the relative penalties, which may also include the removal of the vehicle. The Highway Code already provides for this prohibition for these vehicles but, in the light of the numerous electric scooters that stop undisturbed on the sidewalks, obstructing their path, and the fact that the municipal police officers do not adopt any measures aimed at sanctioning such behavior, it was considered to insert an explicit provision that eliminates any possibility of interpretative doubt.
Whether the House bill is approved or amended is not known, it is however certain that the attention on electric scooters in Parliament is growing. In fact, a bill has recently been deposited in the Senate on “Provisions on safety and road traffic of mainly electric powered scooters”.
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