Cyprus proposes e-scooter seizures to improve road safety

The Cyprus Ministry of Transport is proposing stricter regulations for e-scooters following an increase in serious injuries and fatalities related to road collisions. A new decree is being prepared that would allow authorities to temporarily seize personal mobility devices for periods of 30 to 90 days.

Under the proposed rules, seizures would occur in cases such as riding on prohibited roads, operation by individuals under the age of 17, or exceeding speeds of 25 kilometers per hour. Charis Christodoulou, an executive engineer at the Department of Public Works, noted that while the existing legal framework is already strict, the primary challenge lies in effective enforcement and monitoring by police and local authorities.

Sotiris Ioannou, chairman of the Parliamentary Transport Committee, emphasized that legislation must be actively implemented once published in the Official Gazette. He noted that the current issue is not a lack of laws, but rather the necessity for more effective policing and human resources to ensure compliance on the roads.