Ismail Al-Halouti
In the midst of the worsening crisis of high prices, due to the rise in fuel prices that reached record levels during the last two years coinciding with the arrival of the Akhannouch government, as it witnessed five increases during the month of August 2023, the streets of our major cities have become crowded with a new type of means of personal transportation, and this is related to the electric bicycle. “Trottinette Electrique”, which is a method that its users consider easy to use and environmentally friendly, especially in light of the difficulty of traffic and traffic on the roads due to congestion…
Following the news circulating these days on some websites and electronic newspapers about the announcement by the municipality of the French capital, Paris, of a decision to ban the use of “Trotint” in streets, roads, and public squares, starting from September 1, 2023, and the conflicting reactions it raised among supporters of continuing to use this means of transportation, As an economical, inexpensive and environmentally friendly means, some naysayers believe that its harms outweigh its benefits, as it could cause traffic accidents and a threat to the safety of pedestrians…
Because it is expected that the decision to ban the use of electric bicycles will include other French cities, and that this ban will later affect the countries of the European Union, the conversation has been renewed among Moroccan citizens about this small electric vehicle, which has become a noticeable phenomenon among road users within cities, and the apprehension about it. Riding it may result in traffic accidents. The Moroccan street was divided into two parts: supporters and opponents, as the first section of supporters of its use believes that it is distinguished by its ease of driving, its agility in crowded places, its limited speed, in addition to its encouraging prices. The second group of opponents wonders about the legality of riding a vehicle, especially if its owner collides with another means of transport or a pedestrian? Are there measures in the near future to regulate its use for transportation, in order to avoid the obstruction of traffic and traffic accidents that it could cause, especially at night due to its lack of lights?
It should be noted here that the rise in fuel prices has revived the trade in this type of bicycle, as the demand for purchasing locally made bicycles has increased significantly and led to an increase in their prices, to the point that the price of some of its brands exceeded thirty thousand dirhams. Therefore, it seemed somewhat natural for its appearance to cause a media uproar, and for it to be accompanied by some rumors, including, for example, that the Ministry of Transport and Logistics had taken a decision requiring its users to wear a protective helmet for the head and a special “jelly”.
While researchers in judicial affairs related to vehicles and road safety confirmed that the administrative decisions being promoted are in fact nothing but baseless rumors, and that no decision has yet been taken in this regard. Some of them explained that the campaigns that the security services sometimes launch against the owners of “trotnet” are preventive and necessary campaigns, as most of them do not have any documents proving their ownership of them, which leads to their seizure and the punishment of their owner in accordance with Article 160 of the Traffic Code Law, where the fine reaches up to 6 thousand dirhams, in addition to not allowing it to be retrieved except by order of the king’s agent.
The Traffic Code Law does not permit the use of this type of small electric bicycles, and it is not approved for riding by public administrations, which absolutely prohibit their use on public roads in accordance with Article 65, which stipulates the confiscation of the “Troentine” even if it is carried on the back of its owner. Under penalty of security and insurance of possessions and movables. As there is currently no legal formula in accordance with Article 44 of the Traffic Code 05.52, this also applies to one-wheeled vehicles “Gyroroue”, noting that strict instructions have been given since the beginning of this year to prevent the proliferation of these controversial vehicles.
This prompted the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohamed Abdel Jalil, to break his silence and confirm that his ministry is preparing two draft amendments to Decree 421.10.2 regarding vehicles, as well as Resolution No. 10.2730 regarding the approval of vehicles and their components and accessories, with the aim of legalizing the use of motorized personal transportation vehicles on the public road, as well as He explained in a written response to a parliamentary question that these two amendments aim to include this type of vehicle within the category of motor bicycles, specifying its maximum dimensions and technical characteristics, the method and conditions for authenticating it by type or individually, the documents that must be attached to the approval application, and specifying how to register and number them and the rules. Its operation on roads, insurance conditions and violations.
We do not object to the use of “Trotint” within personal means of transportation, such as bicycles, because of the services it provides to young people, as it helps them in comfortable transportation to their educational and university institutions or their workplaces, away from the transportation crisis and crowding on buses and roads, in addition to the fact that it does not contribute In polluting the air, but in return we call for territorial communities to allocate special lanes, and legalize riding on them, with all that is imposed on their users in terms of adherence to safety rules and respect for the laws.