Stricter control awaits e-scooter riders

Lithuanian police are facing an escalating challenge in regulating electric scooter usage, with nearly 2,500 violations recorded this year alone – a figure double that of the same period in 2023. Ramūnas Matonis, a representative from the Police Department, highlighted the growing number of offenses, emphasizing that the problem extends beyond simply not wearing helmets.

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We have registered almost 2,500 violations this year, which is double the number from last year during the same period.

Matonis noted that many riders are operating scooters while intoxicated, carrying multiple passengers, or riding recklessly. These dangerous behaviors have resulted in serious injuries, with doctors reporting cases of spinal fractures and other severe trauma. One individual, Nikolajus, shared his experience of crashing into a metal fence after another rider blocked his path, acknowledging that wearing a helmet, which he now insists on, likely prevented more serious harm.

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Police officers really cannot be in all situations. This bill would be a solution to help the city municipality control public spaces.

Recognizing that police cannot be present everywhere, lawmakers are exploring solutions to enhance control over public spaces. A proposed bill aims to grant municipalities greater authority to enforce scooter regulations. Darius Jakavičius, a member of the Seimas (parliament), believes this would help city authorities manage public areas more effectively, potentially deterring rule-breakers through the visible presence of municipal officers capable of issuing fines.

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People imagine that they are invulnerable, immortal. They don't look around and act irresponsibly, which is why such incidents occur.

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas has previously advocated for such a measure, suggesting that the ability of municipal officers to stop, check speeds, and issue fines would foster greater user responsibility. Currently, fines for violations range from €10 to €230. The Ministry of Transport also proposes stricter rules for pedestrians, indicating a broader effort to improve safety and order on streets.

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This is a devil-invented means of transport, because if there is no responsibility, no thought about how to handle this means of transport – it is a direct path to a greater or lesser injury.