Greece Tightens Rules for Scooters, ATVs, and Rental Bikes to Boost Road Safety

Greece is tightening its rules for micro-mobility and rental vehicles, less than a year after implementing a new traffic code. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is set to introduce measures aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents involving electric scooters, ATVs, and rental motorcycles.

These changes come as the use of alternative transportation methods grows, and concerning accident incidents, particularly in tourist areas, have increased. A significant new regulation will prohibit minors from using electric scooters. The ministry is also considering mandatory insurance for all legally operating electric scooters to address a long-standing legislative gap and offer better protection.

ATVs, or "quad bikes," a popular choice for tourists, will also face stricter rental requirements. The new framework will mandate that ATV rentals are only permitted for drivers with at least five years of car driving experience. This effectively raises the minimum age for renters to around 23, excluding completely inexperienced drivers. There is also discussion about setting a specific age limit, potentially 25, for rentals where proof of the initial license issue date is difficult to verify.

The focus on ATVs is driven by a rise in serious accidents involving them, especially in island and tourist destinations. A recent fatal accident involving a British tourist in Corfu, where an ATV went off-road, tragically highlighted the safety concerns surrounding these vehicles. Data from the Hellenic Police indicates a connection between ATVs and serious road incidents.