Lisbon mayor suspends shared electric scooter system

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas announced on Thursday, October 15, 2026, the temporary suspension of the city's shared electric scooter system. In a video statement posted on the social media platform X, Moedas declared that the current system is not functioning effectively, citing widespread issues with reckless riding, an increase in traffic accidents, and the persistent abandonment of scooters in unauthorized public spaces.

According to the mayor, city authorities are currently forced to collect more than 1,200 scooters from streets every month. This decision follows the perceived failure of regulatory measures implemented in February 2023, which had initially aimed to manage the fleet size, restrict speed limits, and enforce stricter parking rules. Despite these earlier efforts to collaborate with operators to curb public disorder, the administration has concluded that the current operational model remains unsustainable for the urban environment.

While the suspension is described as temporary, the city administration has signaled that a fundamental change is required to address the safety risks posed to pedestrians and residents. No specific date for the potential resumption of services has been provided, as the city moves to deal with the immediate consequences of the system's current instability.