Sharp rise in e-scooter accidents and complaints in Cyprus

Police data presented to the House Transport Committee in Cyprus reveals a significant increase in e-scooter related incidents and public complaints over the past 18 months. During the first eight months of 2026, police recorded nine accidents involving e-scooters, resulting in two fatalities and four serious injuries, while nine of the incidents involved minors. This follows an upward trend where injury incidents rose from two in 2024 to 15 in 2025.

Public complaints have escalated even more dramatically, reaching 5,141 in the first eight months of 2026, compared to 2,766 in 2025 and 2,499 in 2024. Authorities noted that most complaints stem from devices being operated in prohibited areas. During the committee meeting, lawmakers described the current state of road safety as anarchic, with debates focusing on whether the solution lies in stricter enforcement of existing regulations, infrastructure development, or potential legislative amendments. While some MPs suggested a total ban, others emphasized that the core issue is the lack of proper road infrastructure and insufficient police oversight. The police representative stated that while oversight is necessary, device registration is not a viable solution to the problem.