Greece to ban electric scooter use for under-17s

Greece is set to vote on legislation that would ban electric scooter use for anyone under 17. The bill, which will be presented to parliament on Tuesday, also prohibits companies from selling or renting e-scooters to minors. Mandatory insurance and registration for all e-scooters are also part of the proposed measures.

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The protection of physical integrity is a priority.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Giorgos Kotsiras, stated that the ban for those under 17 is a priority. "The protection of physical integrity is a priority," he said, emphasizing that the measures are being advanced immediately. He also noted that stricter penalties will apply for e-scooter use on roads where it is prohibited, such as those with speed limits over 50 kilometers per hour.

Kotsiras explained that creating a registry for electric scooters within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport will make it easier to identify owners and users. "We now have a more complete legislative environment, especially for our minor citizens, in order to protect their physical integrity and send the message that the protection of human life is an absolute priority," he added. The ministry is also planning other changes to the traffic code but prioritized these e-scooter provisions because the protection of minors could not wait.

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We now have a more complete legislative environment, especially for our minor citizens, in order to protect their physical integrity and send the message that the protection of human life is an absolute priority.

The new regulations will require helmet use, prohibit mobile phone use while riding, and mandate insurance policies. Kotsiras stressed that the goal is to have the stricter framework in effect by the summer.

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We have also included other interventions for the Traffic Code in our program, but we have prioritized these provisions for electric scooters now, because we judged that the protection of minors cannot wait any longer.