Cyprus proposes new seizure rules for electric scooters

The Cyprus Public Works Department has unveiled a draft decree aimed at enhancing road safety by introducing stricter penalties for electric scooter riders. The proposed regulations allow police or authorized municipal traffic wardens to impound devices for a period ranging from 30 to 90 days for specific violations. Executive Engineer Haris Christodoulou specified that these offenses include operating a scooter in prohibited areas, riding by individuals under the age of 17, and using devices capable of exceeding the legal speed limit of 25 km/h.

The initiative is currently undergoing a public consultation process via the e-Consultation platform, which is scheduled to remain open for feedback until September 26. Following this period, the draft will be forwarded to the Law Office for legal review. Owners may generally reclaim their impounded scooters after 30 days upon paying the required fines; however, failure to pay may result in the device being held until court proceedings are finalized.

Simultaneously, the Nicosia Municipality is working to improve urban mobility by establishing over 100 designated parking spots for scooters and expanding designated 30 km/h zones. These infrastructure upgrades are intended to complement the enforcement measures, addressing concerns regarding road safety risks and the limited visibility of small electric vehicles in traffic.