Parliament raises scooter age limit to 17 as ban proposals rejected

Parliament voted on Thursday to raise the minimum age for the use of electric scooters to 17, approving a series of legislative changes while rejecting proposals to ban their use outright.

The House approved proposals submitted by Disy MPs Fotini Tsiridou and Demetris Demetriou, increasing the age limit from 14 to 17 and aligning it with the age for a learner’s driving licence.

The legislation also introduces provisions allowing fines for those who permit underage use and for riders carrying passengers below the legal age.

MPs also backed proposals by Ecologists’ Movement leader Stavros Papadouris requiring scooters to meet European standards and bear appropriate marking, while granting police the authority to temporarily seize scooters in cases of violations.

A separate amendment increases the speed threshold for penalties to 25 kilometres per hour, from 20.

Proposals submitted by Dipa MP Alekos Tryfonides to prohibit the use of scooters in public spaces and restrict related business activity were rejected by a majority.

Tryfonides said the aim of his proposal was to address what he described as growing safety risks, stating that “every day we face the risk of having accidents with young people riding scooters”, adding that such incidents are “not isolated”.

He said, “uncontrolled use, the failure to implement existing legislation, create a dangerous environment for the users themselves, for drivers, but also for pedestrians”.

He acknowledged, however, that most stakeholders opposed a total ban during committee discussions, stating that “the problem is not the existence of the devices, but the absence of rules and effective control”.

Additionally, he said that “either we continue with the same situation, or we move towards radical solutions”, arguing that safety must take precedence.

Tsiridou said the approved legislation reflects a position in favour of regulation rather than prohibition.

“We want to have safe roads, frameworks, and rules, and proper infrastructure”, she said, adding that the measure aims to protect younger users until a more comprehensive system is in place.

She then added that “we would not want to go to the extreme scenario of completely abolishing scooters”, remarking that the age threshold was set at 17 in line with existing driving regulations.

Papadouris said the issue returned to Parliament after a series of accidents and continued gaps in implementation since the original framework was introduced in 2022.

He said his initial proposal included provisions for a registry and insurance requirements, but these were removed following legal advice, before reiterating the need for further regulation, stating that the absence of a registry remains a concern.

The approved provisions require devices to comply with European standard specifications and allow authorities to intervene in cases of noncompliance.

Akel MP Valentinos Fakondis affirmed that “road safety is non-negotiable” but added that scooters are “a cheap and green vehicle for someone to go to work”, confirming that his party supported the age increase while opposing a ban.

Ecologists’ Movement MP Charalambos Theopemptou said responsibility for road safety should not be placed solely on scooter users, stating that “cars are the ones actually causing most of the accidents on the roads”.

He further remarked that “we made a sustainable mobility plan for Nicosia since 2010 and no one did anything about it since”.

Independent MP Costas Efstathiou supported stricter measures, stating that children are currently exposed to risk “on behalf of some importers who brought and sell the scooters, or some municipalities that collect fees from their use”.

He said he agreed with proposals for a ban, citing safety concerns.

Akel MP Costas Costa said delays in implementing existing legislation have contributed to the current situation, and that relevant authorities were still examining enforcement measures years after the law was passed.

He also raised concerns about a potential shift towards electric bicycles, stating these are “not insured, not registered and are far more dangerous, because they can operate at high speeds”.

The changes come after earlier discussions in the House transport committee, where proposals ranged from a full ban to stricter regulation, following reports of accidents and enforcement gaps.

Previous data cited in committee indicated at least three fatal incidents involving scooters, while concerns were raised about devices capable of exceeding legal speed limits.