According to the Brand Tracker report carried out by Tier Mobility, 30% of Spaniards use micromobility vehicles for urban travel. Spain is the European country where the most people would like to use electric scooters (19% of those surveyed), as well as electric bicycles (16%) as an alternative to combustion vehicles. Personal mobility vehicles (MPVs), including electric scooters, are increasingly popular on the roads.
Although they are comfortable and practical, light and relatively new vehicles, we must not forget that they are a means of transport and, as such, they are subject to regulations that we must comply with. It is up to each City Council to specifically regulate the circulation of electric scooters, but apart from this, all their users are obliged to comply with minimum conditions.
Among these regulations, it is prohibited for VMPs to circulate on sidewalks, pedestrian areas, crossings, highways, highways, interurban roads or tunnels in urban areas. The routes authorized for circulation will be indicated by a municipal ordinance but, if there is none, circulation is permitted on any urban road. Likewise, the speed of electric scooters must be between six and 25 kilometers per hour.
Last year, the General Directorate of Traffic prepared a manual of characteristics of personal mobility vehicles, which stipulates that all VMPs must carry a circulation certificate to guarantee minimum safety requirements. Among them, it is mandatory that the electric scooter has a braking system, an acoustic warning device (i.e. a bell), and rear and front lights and reflective devices. Furthermore, at night or in case of reduced visibility, it is mandatory for the VMP driver to wear reflective clothing.
On the other hand, the recently approved Traffic Law establishes the obligation to use protective helmets for VMP drivers, in the terms determined by regulation. The DGT reports that it is already working on this regulatory development jointly with the city councils and the actors involved. In addition, they advise having civil liability insurance.
