Cyprus parliament reviews stricter regulations for electric scooters

The Cyprus House Transport Committee has begun reviewing five legislative proposals aimed at curbing the rising danger posed by electric scooters. Lawmakers, who characterized the devices as “mobile bombs” due to the chaotic traffic environment, are considering mandatory registration, third-party insurance, and a national registry. Key proposals include increasing administrative fines from €85 to €300 and implementing temporary usage bans in municipalities lacking a continuous, safe infrastructure network of at least 10 kilometers of bike lanes or low-speed roads.

Police data presented to the committee revealed that between January and October 2026, 8,800 traffic offenses involving e-scooters were recorded, with 2,800 of these involving riding in prohibited areas such as highways. The rising toll of casualties, including at least two to three deaths and several serious injuries involving minors this year, has prompted calls for immediate legislative action. Authorities are also finalizing a ministerial decree to enable the impounding of illegal vehicles.

Moving forward, the committee intends to fast-track these bills to a plenary session. While some lawmakers emphasize that enforcement through policing is insufficient, discussions are ongoing regarding the specific infrastructure requirements that municipalities must meet to avoid operational bans, with the possibility of adjusting the 10-kilometer threshold in future revisions.