New rules for electric mobility vehicles

People riding electric scooters and other ‘personal mobility vehicles’ face fines of up to €3,000 for breaking new bylaws that come into force in August.

PEOPLE riding electric scooters and other ‘personal mobility vehicles’ face fines of up to €3,000 for breaking new bylaws in Calpe.

The bylaws are set to come into force on August 14 and are aimed to regulate the growing use of such machines ‘for the first time’.

The so-called ‘personal mobility vehicles’ - defined as being powered by electric motors with a speed of between 6km/h and 25km/h - are banned on pavements, in parks, and on the seaside promenades. Electric wheelchairs used by people with reduced mobility are exempt from the ordinance.

They can be taken on roads in streets which have a maximum speed of 30km/h and residential streets with a maximum speed of 20km/h - and in cycle lanes.

Organised tours on such vehicles are allowed but commercial parties are limited to six people and they must be accompanied by a guide.

Fines range from €750 to €3,000 said a town hall spokesman. He said the minimum age for driving such vehicles is 16 although people under 16 with a moped licence could ride them.

And he said there were three main areas covered by the bylaws: having more than one person on board; riding on a pavement; and negligently driving amongst pedestrians.

“The parking of these vehicles on pavements is absolutely prohibited; they must park in the designated areas for bicycles or motorcycles. It is prohibited to tie them to trees, traffic lights or any urban furniture,” said the spokesman.

“In any case, these vehicles must comply with provisions on traffic, circulation and road safety. Riders must wear a helmet, carry technical documentation and have third party insurance.”