By John Ensor • Published: 05 Dec 2023 • 12:56
Police office checking electric scooters. Credit: No-Mad/Shutterstock.com
With urban mobility constantly evolving, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) is setting new standards for electric scooters, reshaping city streets and the way people travel.
On January 22, 2024, the DGT will implement stringent new regulations for electric scooters, an increasingly popular mode of transport, particularly among young people, writes OK Diario.
These changes come as a response to the increasing use of scooters in Spanish cities and the need for safer, more organized urban transport.
Electric scooters will be limited to a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h. Additionally, scooters must feature a display showing the current speed and battery level. They will also incorporate anti-tampering systems for power and speed control.
Scooters must have independent braking systems, and those with more than two wheels need a parking brake. To prevent accidents caused by falling scooters, those with less than three wheels will require a lateral stand for parking stability.
Visibility is paramount for scooter safety. Scooters will need to have front white reflectors, side white or yellow reflectors, and rear red reflectors.
Brake lights should be distinct or combined with the rear light. For scooters used in goods transport or services, additional yellow side reflectors and red rear reflectors are mandatory.
All scooters must come equipped with an acoustic warning device. Those used for transporting goods or services will also need a reversing warning device.
The wheels must have a minimum diameter of 203.2 mm and a textured surface for better grip, banning the use of smooth tires.
A double security system is required for scooters to ensure they remain securely folded during storage. Each scooter must bear a unique factory marking with details like maximum speed, serial number, year of manufacture, model, and brand. Moreover, a space for an identification or registration label is mandatory on the back of the scooter.
These comprehensive measures by the DGT not only aim to regulate the use of electric scooters but also to enhance road safety and order in urban areas. As we approach 2024, these changes signal a significant shift in how electric scooters will be integrated into city life.
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Originally from Doncaster, Yorkshire, John now lives in Galicia, Northern Spain with his wife Nina. He is passionate about news, music, cycling and animals.
I am 83 years old and own a four wheel mobility scooter which I need to get about for vistes to my doctor and pharmacy how will these new regulations affect me please Chris
Do U live in Spain? If not, you’ve[ got no worries as UK mobility scooter are UK hcompliant.
What about public insurance and form of tax with the hire company
The worst thing about it, people are using on sidewalks, parks etc. Kids are nowhere safe anymore
I’d say you’ve got more risk from cyclists !
I’m 54 years old and hold multiple classes on my driving licence, I use this to go to work and follow the highway code , why should I be penalised because kids are riding “two up” in pedestrian areas? Am I going to be forced to drive the 2km journey in my car? Put an age limit on them when they’re being purchased and if parents buy them for kids fine them .
I live in Spain , as a driver of a car, these seem to come out of the blue, often with insuficiente lighting, That said ,they look like fun ,my son wants one! No way . But what is the alternative? A mo ped, possibly worse? From a drivers’ point of viewing (literally) the electric scooter wins. But young people use them on padestrian áreas, THIS is VERY dangerous, as they are silent and very fast. I don’t know the future, it’s just one more thing to look out for. As for my son ,he will wait 1 year more and driver with protección I.e air bags
They have no tax to pay.. l have 2 near accidents with them, the younger ones have no idea about road safety, no clue at all..they are banned im a lot of countries… they are dangerous to themselves and drivers who have done road saftey and know the rules and regulations of the road…THEY DO NOT… please get these off the road…
Don’t be so melodramatic. Get used to them, they’re going nowhere! Cyclists are just as bad. I live in UK and Greece and never had a near miss, never mind 2. Maybe it’s your driving!!
This is what people who road horses and carriages mush have thought about cars lol
We have to move with the times ‘ I’m 55 ‘ and I love these little scooters , but I agree with the new conditions being regulated ‘ every moving thing is dangerous! But we carn’t stop 🛑 the future ! .these need to be integrated with a safe information and a starter license,some kind of training before you get a starter license, then number plate , insurance,lights, and safety gear.but the future is here .
I’ve used Electric Mobility Scooters since I arrived here 11years ago, but it looks like the Gov has left it to late as I’ve tried to insure my scooter but were told only as an add on to House contents insurance no cover for theft unless it’s in your house or chained to unmovable object.
There should be a government backed insurance policy that gives young people cheap insurance to ride their own scooters. A safety course should be taken like you do for a moped and if you have done the course you should be able to register for insurance . Driving has become so expensive that young people cannot afford transport. Personally I think wherever possible a cycle lane should be put in or split pavement in half with a coloured section allowing cyclist and scooters . But to be honest if restricted to 25 km an hour then this is a similar speed to most cyclist and I thought we were supposed to be encouraging cleaner forms of transport. Personally I think the main point is visibility and they should have lights as all other vehicles do. No lights is a big safety concern. This goes for cyclist too.
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