Electric scooter rules being prepared in Cyprus could allow authorities to confiscate devices for between 30 and 90 days for specific offences.
Speaking to CNA, Public Works Department Executive Engineer Charis Christodoulou said a draft decree has been prepared and public consultation will run through the e-Consultation platform until 26 September.
Following the consultation, the draft will be sent to the Law Office for the required legal review.
Under the proposed rules, police officers or authorised municipal or community traffic wardens would be able to confiscate a scooter in addition to issuing an on-the-spot fine when one of three offences is identified.
These include using a scooter in an unauthorised area, riding one while under the age of 17, or using a device capable of exceeding 25 km/h, which is the legal maximum speed.
Confiscation period depends on the offence
The confiscation period would range from 30 to 90 days.
Christodoulou said that after 30 days, the owner could, subject to the applicable conditions, pay the fine and collect the device. If the fine is not paid, the scooter could remain confiscated until court proceedings are completed.
He said electric scooters present specific road safety risks that users, and particularly parents of younger riders, should take into account.
Their relatively small wheels can make it harder to handle potholes and other road-surface irregularities, while their small profile can make riders more difficult for other road users to see.
The permitted areas for personal mobility devices are also limited. Scooters can legally operate in areas where the speed limit is up to 30 km/h and on cycling infrastructure.
Nicosia to create more than 100 parking points
Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos said the municipality is taking measures to make scooter use safer and more organised.
More than 100 designated scooter parking points have been planned as part of the latest licensing round, following discussions with rental companies. Construction is expected to begin shortly.
Rental scooters are licensed by the municipality and can only operate on authorised routes. They are equipped with an automatic shutdown system when they leave those routes.
However, the municipality has identified cases where GPS systems were disabled. Under the new licences, a rental company could automatically lose its licence if one of its scooters is found operating on an unauthorised route.
More 30 km/h zones planned
Prountzos also supported a ban on the import of private scooters capable of exceeding the legal speed limit and said provisions could be introduced requiring helmets and other protective equipment.
At the same time, he stressed that micromobility remains important for cities because it can reduce car use.
Nicosia is also moving to expand 30 km/h zones, particularly in residential areas. The municipality has already announced several such zones, allowing conventional vehicles and micromobility users to share roads under lower speed limits.
A study has also mapped schools, parks and other points of interest using GIS technology to help prioritise routes for inclusion in the 30 km/h zones.
Christodoulou said the Public Works Department is developing cycling infrastructure across Cyprus, while municipalities have access to a Transport Ministry subsidy scheme for creating 30 km/h zones.
Both officials stressed the need for cooperation between the Transport Ministry, local authorities and police to ensure the new framework is effectively implemented.
Also read: Paphos municipalities unite to install surveillance cameras
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