Austria to reclassify e-mopeds as motor vehicles from October

Starting October 1, 2026, Austria will implement new legal regulations for e-mopeds, reclassifying them as motor vehicles rather than bicycles. This change follows amendments to the Road Traffic Act and the Motor Vehicle Act.

Under the new rules, e-moped riders will be required to hold at least an AM class driver's license (minimum age 15), wear a crash helmet, and carry third-party liability insurance. Vehicles must also be registered and display a license plate with green lettering. Additionally, the legal blood alcohol limit for riders will decrease from 0.8 to 0.5 per mille.

The reclassification prohibits e-mopeds from using sidewalks, pedestrian paths, cycle paths, and zebra crossings. This shift is expected to significantly impact the food delivery sector, particularly the thousands of riders using e-mopeds for services like Foodora. Critics, including representatives from the Riders Collective, note that the ban from cycle paths could create professional hurdles for delivery workers, many of whom operate as independent contractors with limited labor protections.